At that place are a few reasons why you lot might want to download and install sometime versions of macOS or Mac OS X. Perhaps y'all are relying on software y'all take discovered doesn't work properly in the latest version. Or maybe you only don't like the new version of macOS that you have installed.

Some other scenario is that you are a programmer and you demand to be running multiple versions of macOS and Mac Os X so that yous tin can be certain that your software runs correctly on them. Either way, you have questions and we take answers.

In this article we will embrace how to get old versions of macOS including Large Sur, Catalina, Mojave, El Capitan, Sierra, Yosemite and even old versions of Mac OS X. We explain how to get hold of the relevant installer files so that you lot can install the software on your Mac.

Nosotros have a split up article that explains how to install former versions of macOS for when you get to that stage of the procedure.

If you lot are looking for a way to revert to the previous version of macOS, we have a more than specific article about downgrading from Monterey to Large Sur and other versions, although we practise comprehend the method here too. We also accept a guide to downgrading from the macOS beta.

However, if you were hoping to run older versions of macOS on M1 Macs that'due south not possible.

You lot also might desire to get the installer for a version of macOS in society to make a bootable installer for installing macOS on multiple Macs (we likewise wait at that scenario separately).

Where can I download quondam macOS?

Before you can install an older version of macOS or Mac Os X you will need to get concord of the installer for the version of macOS you want to install. Luckily it is possible to gets agree of these files - as long as y'all know where to proceed the Mac App Store.

Nosotros have the necessary links to the Mac App Store below. We will prove y'all a way to get the post-obit macOS installers:

  • macOS Big Sur
  • macOS Catalina
  • macOS Mojave
  • macOS High Sierra
  • macOS Sierra
  • Os X El Capitan
  • Os X Yosemite
  • OS X Mavericks
  • OS 10 Mountain Lion
  • OS Ten Lion

*Note that we accept discovered that the links we requite below volition only work if yous are surfing in Safari, so we suggest you switch to Apple's browser before moving on. You should likewise close the Mac App Store app if you have that open or the link may not work*

Y'all won't be able to get the Mac OS X Snow Leopard download this style, but we'll look at that later on. In fact, we tell you how to become copies of Leopard, Lion and Mountain Lion too!

We accept a listing of which Macs run which versions of macOS & Mac OS Ten.

How to download macOS Large Sur

You can download the installer for Big Sur from the Mac App Shop - as long as yous know where to find it - searching the Mac App Store volition non piece of work.

  • Click on this link which to open the Mac App Store on the Big Sur page. (Employ Safari and make sure the Mac App Store app is closed first or it might non work).

Follow these steps to download Big Sur (or any other version of macOS) from the Mac App Shop:

  1. Click this link to open the Mac App Shop on the Large Sur folio.
  2. Click on Become.
  3. Software Update will open with the words "Finding Update". Somewhen a message "Are y'all sure you desire to download macOS Big Sur" will appear. It might expect like an update rather than the total version, only y'all'll see from the size of the download (around 6GB) that this is the complete installer for Large Sur.
  4. Once the installer has downloaded do non click Install. If yous install information technology the installer will automatically be deleted.
  5. You lot should be able to find the Install macOS Big Sur app in your Applications folder, yous'll demand this for the adjacent steps, which we outline here: How to downgrade macOS, install an older version on your Mac.

How to download macOS Catalina

Y'all tin also download the installer for Catalina from the Mac App Store - as long every bit yous know the magic link.

  • Click on this link which volition open the Mac App Store on the Catalina page. (Utilize Safari and make sure the Mac App Shop app is closed first).

Catalina Mac App Store

As higher up, follow these steps to download Catalina (or whatever other version of macOS) from the Mac App Store:

  1. Click this link to open the Mac App Store on the Catalina folio.
  2. Click on Go.
  3. Software Update will open with the words "Finding Update". Eventually a message "Are you sure you desire to download macOS Catalina" will appear. It might look similar an update rather than the full version, but you'll come across from the size of the download (effectually 6GB) that this is the complete installer for Catalina. Download Catalina
  4. Once the installer has downloaded practise not click Install. If you install it the installer volition automatically be deleted.
  5. Yous should be able to find the Install macOS Catalina app in your Applications binder, you'll need this for the next steps, which we outline here: How to downgrade macOS, install an older version on your Mac.

How to download macOS Mojave

Information technology is also possible to access the Mojave installer via this link to the Mac App Store. Note that equally above, for this link to work you need to exist running Safari and you need to close the Mac App Store app first. If the Mac App Shop app is open this redirect will not work.

  • Click on this link to open the Mac App Store on the Mojave folio.

Follow the steps in the department above to download information technology.

Download Mojave

How to download High Sierra

It is too possible to download High Sierra via this link. (Use Safari, close the Mac App Shop app first).

Follow the steps in the section higher up to download High Sierra.

How to download Sierra, El Capitan or Yosemite

Apple provides dmg files of these older macOS versions - y'all need to download them in Safari. A disk epitome named InstallOS.dmg will download and once it does yous need to locate the pkg installer inside the disk paradigm.

  • Yous can Sierra via this link.
  • El Capitan can be downloaded from this link.
  • Yosemite is available here.

That Mac App Store link isn't working for me!

Nosotros've said in a higher place that in our feel normally the reason the above links don't piece of work is if you are browsing in something other than Safari, or if you have already got the Mac App Store open. Still, if you are still finding that the link isn't working y'all could attempt the alternative methods beneath.

Another issue is if the link takes you lot to the correct folio in the Mac App Shop, but you see an Update not establish error message when y'all try to download it. This is an issue nosotros are aware of that others take encountered, although nosotros oasis't. In that instance we advise you try to download the installer via that link using an older Mac.

Yous may likewise encounter issues if yous are trying to download an older version of macOS that your Mac cannot support. Unremarkably when Apple introduces a new Mac it will not be able to run the version of macOS that shipped before the one installed on that Mac. The older macOS might non back up certain components in that Mac, for example.

Find out more than about what version of macOS your Mac supports here: What version of macOS tin my Mac run?

Other ways to get old macOS versions

If you are running an older version of macOS - or someone you know is - you lot should be able to easily find older versions of macOS and even Mac Os X in the Mac App Store. How easy they are to detect will exist determined by the version of macOS running on that Mac.

Prior to macOS Mojave'southward inflow in 2018 the installers for the older macOS versions could be searched for or found via the Purchased tab (not that anyone has had to pay for a Mac OS 10 update for years).

However, when Apple tree introduced Mojave the Mac App Store changed, and these installers tin can no longer be searched for or found in the purchased section of the store. (Although nosotros practice have redirect links in the section in a higher place to each of the relevant pages on the Mac App Store.)

If you lot happen to have access to a Mac that'south running an older version of macOS, log into the Mac App Store with your password and download the Mojave installer on that Mac. Alternatively ask a friend to download a copy of the installer from the Mac App Store for you. We run through this method in the section below.

As higher up, in one case the installer has downloaded don't install it! If yous exercise then the installer volition exist deleted. You lot'll find the installer in your Applications binder from which you tin copy on to your Mac - or create a bootable installer.

Nosotros've heard that it may be possible to download the installer via Final, all the same we were unable to get that method to work.

You may as well find updates to quondam version of macOS on Apple tree'southward website here, even so these are but indicate updates, rather than the total version, and then it won't be much help if you are trying to get the full download.

The one thing yous really mustn't do is get to a torrent site and download a copy of the Os X you lot want. Simply because Apple gives away its software for free, don't think information technology'south fine to just choice up a copy. Pirated copies of Apple tree software could take been adjusted to allow hackers admission to the software and your Mac.

Download Mac Os 10

If you have access to a Mac running OS X Yosemite or older information technology is possible to run into old versions of Mac Bone X in the Mac App Store. Yosemite, Mavericks and Mount King of beasts can all be seen here.

Information technology's worth noting that you'll only see old versions of Mac OS 10 that yous've downloaded under Purchased - if y'all never downloaded it (or if it was never on the Mac App Store), that version will not be in your Purchased department. Another reason why the version of Mac Os Ten might be missing is if your machine shipped with that version installed. We'll look at that scenario later.

Here is how to get an older version of Mac Bone X from the Mac App Shop (this only works if yous've downloaded it in the past and information technology won't work if y'all accept already installed Mojave or later):

  1. Open the Mac App Store (choose Store > Sign In if you need to log in).
  2. Click Purchased.
  3. Coil down to find the copy of Bone X or macOS you desire.
  4. Click Install.

Clicking Install won't really install the software, but it will download the installer application to your Applications folder.

You lot won't exist able to but install this older version of the operating organization directly onto a Mac running a newer version of Os X or macOS. We volition explicate how it can be installed on a Mac - including one currently running an earlier operating organisation here: How to install onetime Mac OS X versions.

Tin can't find Mac OS X in Purchased?

If you know y'all have previously downloaded the version of macOS you are after, but yous aren't seeing it in the Purchased department, there are a few things to endeavour:

  1. Log out of the App Store and then log in again.
  2. If information technology's a possibility that you downloaded it while logged in to a different Apple ID (perhaps a work-related i), log in using that ID.
  3. Alternatively, notice someone who has downloaded that version of the Mac operating system and enquire them to download the installation file for you.

If you never downloaded the version of Mac OS X then leap to footstep 3 and find a friendly person who did. Ask them to download the Mac OS X installer for you.

Luckily the copy of Bone 10 isn't locked to their business relationship and so it will install on whatever Mac.

How to become Os X King of beasts, Mount Lion

Prior to June 2021 you could buy Os X 10.vii Lion or Mount Lion from Apple for £19.99 each - Apple would send you a download code. Now Apple has stopped charging for the ageing operating system versions. Instead you lot can download the operating systems direct from the visitor's website.

The operating systems tin be downloaded from the following links:

  • DMG for Mac OS X x.7 Lion (4.72GB)
  • DMG for Mac Os Ten 10.eight Mountain Lion (4.45GB)

If it's Mac OS Ten x.7 King of beasts that you lot are after, it's all the same available for £19.99 here United states or hither Great britain. Apple volition send you a download lawmaking to utilise on the Mac App Shop, so you volition need to be running Snowfall Leopard to install it.

If it's Os X 10.viii Mount King of beasts that you tin notwithstanding buy it for £19.99 here US or here UK.

We accept more information nigh getting the free installers for Bone X Lion and Mountain King of beasts from Apple in Apple offers free downloads of Bone X Lion and Mount Lion.

Whether your Mac will actually run these operating systems is some other question we address here: Which versions of macOS can my Mac run? Notation that only Macs that predate 2012 will run King of beasts.

How to go Bone 10 Snow Leopard

If your Mac has a version of macOS installed that is older than Snow Leopard you won't take access to the Mac App Shop. Since for a number of years after Snow Leopard arrived all versions of Mac OS X arrived via the Mac App Shop, those who never installed Snowfall Leopard had a problem: without Snow Leopard they couldn't update.

Until 2021 Apple all the same sold a boxed version of Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard here for £19.99 (at its launch in 2009 it cost £25). If you purchased Snowfall Leopard this style you were sent a concrete box containing an optical disc - then you lot will need a CD/DVD drive to install it (which you lot volition probably have if the Mac is that old).

Apple has now removed the ability to purchase Snow Leopard. Still, this isn't a big problem because those people who were previously locked out of updates tin can at present download the King of beasts or Mountain Lion update, every bit explained above.

Get Snow Leopard

How to get OS X Leopard or earlier

If the old version of the OS yous are after predates Snow Leopard and you have a developer account you might be able to get information technology from developer.apple.com/downloads. If you lot search within the OS X category you should come across downloads for all versions of OS 10, at least from version 10.three to 10.vi.

You may exist able to access the Developer section of the website, but you lot will only be able to access certain software downloads if your Apple ID is associated with a paid Apple Programmer Program.

If y'all haven't signed up as a Apple Developer, find out what that entails here. It costs £79 ($99) a year to bring together the Apple Programmer Program and you accept to sign a non disclosure agreement.

You could also try looking on Amazon or eBay to run across if anyone is selling old versions of the Mac operating system. For example at that place'south a Full Install of Bone X King of beasts available for £8.l on Amazon here.

If it'southward Tiger yous are after, then information technology will price a petty more. In that location was a copy of Tiger on Amazon for £89.99 merely it's currently unavailable.

How to download Mac OS X Mountain Lion, Snow Leopard and older Mac software