How to Download Mac Os X UPDATED
How to Download Mac Os X
There are a few reasons why you might want to download and install old versions of macOS or Mac Bone X. Perhaps you lot are relying on software you take discovered doesn't piece of work properly in the latest version. Or mayhap y'all just don't similar the new version of macOS that yous have installed.
Another scenario is that you are a programmer and y'all need to exist running multiple versions of macOS and Mac Bone X and then that you can be sure that your software runs correctly on them. Either way, you lot have questions and we accept answers.
In this article we volition comprehend how to go erstwhile versions of macOS including Big Sur, Catalina, Mojave, El Capitan, Sierra, Yosemite and even sometime versions of Mac Os X. Nosotros explain how to get concord of the relevant installer files and then that yous can install the software on your Mac.
Nosotros accept a separate article that explains how to install old versions of macOS for when you get to that stage of the process.
If you are looking for a way to revert to the previous version of macOS, we accept a more specific article about downgrading from Monterey to Large Sur and other versions, although nosotros do cover the method here too. We also have a guide to downgrading from the macOS beta.
Even so, if you were hoping to run older versions of macOS on M1 Macs that'due south not possible.
You also might want to become the installer for a version of macOS in order to make a bootable installer for installing macOS on multiple Macs (we also look at that scenario separately).
Where can I download erstwhile macOS?
Before you can install an older version of macOS or Mac OS X you will need to become hold of the installer for the version of macOS yous desire to install. Luckily information technology is possible to gets agree of these files - as long as y'all know where to go on the Mac App Store.
Nosotros accept the necessary links to the Mac App Store below. Nosotros will bear witness yous a manner to get the post-obit macOS installers:
- macOS Large Sur
- macOS Catalina
- macOS Mojave
- macOS High Sierra
- macOS Sierra
- Os X El Capitan
- OS X Yosemite
- Os X Mavericks
- Os X Mountain Panthera leo
- OS X Lion
*Note that nosotros accept discovered that the links we give below will only work if you are surfing in Safari, and so we suggest you switch to Apple's browser earlier moving on. You should also shut the Mac App Shop app if you accept that open or the link may not work*
You won't be able to get the Mac OS X Snow Leopard download this style, merely we'll look at that later. In fact, we tell yous how to get copies of Leopard, Panthera leo and Mountain Lion too!
We have a list of which Macs run which versions of macOS & Mac OS X.
How to download macOS Big Sur
You lot can download the installer for Big Sur from the Mac App Store - every bit long every bit yous know where to observe it - searching the Mac App Store will not work.
- Click on this link which to open the Mac App Store on the Large Sur page. (Use Safari and make sure the Mac App Store app is closed outset or it might non work).
Follow these steps to download Large Sur (or whatever other version of macOS) from the Mac App Shop:
- Click this link to open the Mac App Store on the Big Sur page.
- Click on Become.
- Software Update volition open up with the words "Finding Update". Eventually a message "Are you sure you want to download macOS Large Sur" will appear. It might await similar an update rather than the full version, just you'll see from the size of the download (around 6GB) that this is the complete installer for Big Sur.
- In one case the installer has downloaded practice not click Install. If yous install it the installer volition automatically exist deleted.
- Yous should be able to discover 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
You lot can also download the installer for Catalina from the Mac App Shop - as long equally you lot know the magic link.
- Click on this link which will open up the Mac App Shop on the Catalina folio. (Use Safari and brand sure the Mac App Store app is closed first).
As in a higher place, follow these steps to download Catalina (or any other version of macOS) from the Mac App Store:
- Click this link to open the Mac App Store on the Catalina page.
- Click on Get.
- Software Update volition open with the words "Finding Update". Eventually a bulletin "Are you sure you desire to download macOS Catalina" will announced. It might look like an update rather than the total version, but y'all'll meet from the size of the download (effectually 6GB) that this is the consummate installer for Catalina.
- One time the installer has downloaded practice non click Install. If you install it the installer will automatically be deleted.
- You should be able to find the Install macOS Catalina app in your Applications folder, 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
It is also possible to access the Mojave installer via this link to the Mac App Store. Note that every bit above, for this link to piece of work yous need to be running Safari and you lot demand to close the Mac App Shop app first. If the Mac App Store app is open this redirect will not work.
- Click on this link to open up the Mac App Store on the Mojave page.
Follow the steps in the section in a higher place to download information technology.
How to download Loftier Sierra
Information technology is also possible to download High Sierra via this link. (Use Safari, close the Mac App Store app first).
Follow the steps in the section to a higher place to download High Sierra.
How to download Sierra, El Capitan or Yosemite
Apple provides dmg files of these older macOS versions - you need to download them in Safari. A deejay image named InstallOS.dmg will download and one time it does you need to locate the pkg installer inside the disk paradigm.
- You lot can Sierra via this link.
- El Capitan can be downloaded from this link.
- Yosemite is bachelor here.
That Mac App Store link isn't working for me!
We've said above that in our feel normally the reason the above links don't work is if yous are browsing in something other than Safari, or if you accept already got the Mac App Store open. All the same, if you lot are still finding that the link isn't working you lot could endeavour the alternative methods below.
Some other consequence is if the link takes you to the correct page in the Mac App Store, only you see an Update not found error message when you try to download it. This is an issue we are enlightened of that others have encountered, although nosotros haven't. In that case nosotros suggest y'all endeavor to download the installer via that link using an older Mac.
Y'all may also encounter bug if yous are trying to download an older version of macOS that your Mac cannot support. Normally when Apple introduces a new Mac it will not be able to run the version of macOS that shipped earlier the one installed on that Mac. The older macOS might non support certain components in that Mac, for example.
Detect out more virtually what version of macOS your Mac supports here: What version of macOS can my Mac run?
Other ways to get sometime macOS versions
If you are running an older version of macOS - or someone you lot know is - y'all should be able to hands find older versions of macOS and even Mac Bone X in the Mac App Store. How easy they are to discover will be adamant by the version of macOS running on that Mac.
Prior to macOS Mojave's arrival in 2018 the installers for the older macOS versions could be searched for or establish via the Purchased tab (not that anyone has had to pay for a Mac OS X update for years).
Still, when Apple tree introduced Mojave the Mac App Store inverse, and these installers can no longer exist searched for or institute in the purchased section of the store. (Although nosotros do take redirect links in the department above to each of the relevant pages on the Mac App Store.)
If you lot happen to have admission to a Mac that's running an older version of macOS, log into the Mac App Store with your countersign and download the Mojave installer on that Mac. Alternatively inquire a friend to download a copy of the installer from the Mac App Store for you. We run through this method in the department below.
As above, once the installer has downloaded don't install it! If y'all do then the installer will be deleted. You'll notice the installer in your Applications folder from which you can copy on to your Mac - or create a bootable installer.
We've heard that information technology may exist possible to download the installer via Terminal, however we were unable to get that method to work.
You may also notice updates to old version of macOS on Apple's website here, withal these are merely signal updates, rather than the full version, so it won't be much aid if y'all are trying to get the total download.
The 1 thing you really mustn't do is go to a torrent site and download a copy of the OS Ten you desire. Only because Apple gives away its software for free, don't think it'southward fine to just selection up a re-create. Pirated copies of Apple tree software could have been adapted to allow hackers access to the software and your Mac.
Download Mac Bone X
If you have access to a Mac running Bone X Yosemite or older it is possible to see old versions of Mac OS Ten in the Mac App Shop. Yosemite, Mavericks and Mount Lion tin all be seen here.
It's worth noting that you'll only see quondam versions of Mac OS Ten that you lot've downloaded nether Purchased - if you lot never downloaded it (or if it was never on the Mac App Shop), that version will not be in your Purchased section. Some other reason why the version of Mac Os Ten might be missing is if your machine shipped with that version installed. We'll expect at that scenario later.
Here is how to go an older version of Mac Os X from the Mac App Store (this only works if you've downloaded it in the past and it won't piece of work if y'all have already installed Mojave or afterward):
- Open the Mac App Store (cull Shop > Sign In if you lot need to log in).
- Click Purchased.
- Gyre down to notice the re-create of OS X or macOS you lot want.
- Click Install.
Clicking Install won't actually install the software, but information technology volition download the installer awarding to your Applications folder.
You won't be able to but install this older version of the operating system directly onto a Mac running a newer version of OS X or macOS. We volition explain how it can exist installed on a Mac - including one currently running an before operating system here: How to install old Mac OS X versions.
Can't observe Mac OS Ten in Purchased?
If y'all know you have previously downloaded the version of macOS y'all are after, but yous aren't seeing it in the Purchased section, there are a few things to try:
- Log out of the App Store then log in over again.
- If it's a possibility that yous downloaded it while logged in to a different Apple tree ID (perhaps a work-related one), log in using that ID.
- Alternatively, observe someone who has downloaded that version of the Mac operating system and inquire them to download the installation file for you.
If you never downloaded the version of Mac OS X then jump to step 3 and detect a friendly person who did. Enquire them to download the Mac Os 10 installer for y'all.
Luckily the copy of Bone X isn't locked to their account so it will install on any Mac.
How to go OS 10 Panthera leo, Mountain Lion
Prior to June 2021 you could purchase OS X x.seven Lion or Mountain Lion from Apple for £xix.99 each - Apple tree would send y'all a download code. Now Apple has stopped charging for the ageing operating system versions. Instead yous tin can download the operating systems directly from the company's website.
The operating systems tin be downloaded from the post-obit links:
- DMG for Mac OS X ten.7 Lion (4.72GB)
- DMG for Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Panthera leo (4.45GB)
If it's Mac OS 10 10.7 Lion that y'all are after, it's still available for £xix.99 here Usa or here U.k.. Apple tree will send you a download code to utilize on the Mac App Store, so y'all volition need to exist running Snow Leopard to install it.
If information technology's OS 10 x.8 Mount Lion that you can still buy it for £19.99 here US or here United kingdom of great britain and northern ireland.
Nosotros take more than information about getting the free installers for OS X King of beasts and Mountain King of beasts from Apple in Apple offers free downloads of Os X Lion and Mount Panthera leo.
Whether your Mac will actually run these operating systems is another question we address here: Which versions of macOS can my Mac run? Annotation that only Macs that predate 2012 will run Lion.
How to get OS X Snow Leopard
If your Mac has a version of macOS installed that is older than Snow Leopard you won't have access to the Mac App Store. Since for a number of years after Snow Leopard arrived all versions of Mac OS Ten arrived via the Mac App Shop, those who never installed Snow Leopard had a problem: without Snow Leopard they couldn't update.
Until 2021 Apple notwithstanding sold a boxed version of Mac Bone X 10.6 Snow Leopard here for £19.99 (at its launch in 2009 information technology cost £25). If you purchased Snow Leopard this way you were sent a physical box containing an optical disc - so you will need a CD/DVD drive to install it (which y'all will probably take if the Mac is that old).
Apple has now removed the power to buy Snow Leopard. However, this isn't a big problem because those people who were previously locked out of updates can now download the Lion or Mount Lion update, as explained to a higher place.
How to get OS X Leopard or earlier
If the old version of the OS you are after predates Snow Leopard and you have a programmer business relationship y'all might be able to become information technology from developer.apple.com/downloads. If you search within the Os X category you should see downloads for all versions of Bone X, at least from version x.iii to 10.6.
You may be able to access the Developer section of the website, but you volition merely be able to admission certain software downloads if your Apple ID is associated with a paid Apple Programmer Program.
If you haven't signed up every bit a Apple tree Developer, notice out what that entails hither. Information technology costs £79 ($99) a year to join the Apple Developer Program and you have to sign a not disclosure understanding.
Y'all could also try looking on Amazon or eBay to see if anyone is selling quondam versions of the Mac operating system. For example there's a Full Install of Os X Lion available for £8.50 on Amazon hither.
If it's Tiger you are after, then it volition price a little more. There was a re-create of Tiger on Amazon for £89.99 simply it'south currently unavailable.
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