There are a few reasons why you might want to download and install quondam versions of macOS or Mac Bone X. Perchance you lot are relying on software you have discovered doesn't work properly in the latest version. Or maybe you lot just don't like the new version of macOS that you accept installed.

Another scenario is that you are a programmer and you need to exist running multiple versions of macOS and Mac OS X so that y'all tin can be certain that your software runs correctly on them. Either way, yous have questions and nosotros have answers.

In this commodity we will cover how to get old versions of macOS including Big Sur, Catalina, Mojave, El Capitan, Sierra, Yosemite and even old versions of Mac OS X. Nosotros explain how to get hold of the relevant installer files and then that you can install the software on your Mac.

We have a separate commodity that explains how to install old versions of macOS for when you lot 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 commodity almost downgrading from Monterey to Big Sur and other versions, although we do embrace the method here too. We likewise have a guide to downgrading from the macOS beta.

Yet, 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 lodge to make a bootable installer for installing macOS on multiple Macs (nosotros also await at that scenario separately).

Where can I download sometime macOS?

Earlier yous can install an older version of macOS or Mac OS X you lot will need to get hold of the installer for the version of macOS yous want to install. Luckily it is possible to gets hold of these files - as long every bit you know where to proceed the Mac App Store.

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

  • macOS Big Sur
  • macOS Catalina
  • macOS Mojave
  • macOS High Sierra
  • macOS Sierra
  • Bone Ten El Capitan
  • OS X Yosemite
  • Bone X Mavericks
  • OS Ten Mountain Lion
  • OS 10 King of beasts

*Notation that we have discovered that the links we give beneath volition only work if you are surfing in Safari, and then we suggest you switch to Apple tree's browser before moving on. You lot should also close the Mac App Store app if you accept that open or the link may non work*

Y'all won't be able to go the Mac OS X Snow Leopard download this fashion, but nosotros'll look at that later. In fact, we tell you how to get copies of Leopard, Lion 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 can download the installer for Big Sur from the Mac App Shop - as long as you know where to find it - searching the Mac App Store will not piece of work.

  • Click on this link which to open the Mac App Store on the Big Sur folio. (Utilize Safari and brand sure the Mac App Store app is closed first or it might not work).

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

  1. Click this link to open the Mac App Store on the Big Sur page.
  2. Click on Get.
  3. Software Update volition open with the words "Finding Update". Eventually a message "Are you sure y'all desire to download macOS Big Sur" volition appear. It might look similar an update rather than the total version, but you'll come across from the size of the download (effectually 6GB) that this is the complete installer for Big Sur.
  4. One time the installer has downloaded do non click Install. If you lot install it the installer will automatically be deleted.
  5. You should be able to find the Install macOS Big Sur app in your Applications folder, you'll need this for the side by side steps, which nosotros outline here: How to downgrade macOS, install an older version on your Mac.

How to download macOS Catalina

You tin also download the installer for Catalina from the Mac App Shop - as long every bit you know the magic link.

  • Click on this link which volition open the Mac App Store on the Catalina page. (Employ Safari and make certain the Mac App Store app is airtight first).

Catalina Mac App Store

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

  1. Click this link to open the Mac App Store on the Catalina page.
  2. Click on Get.
  3. Software Update will open up with the words "Finding Update". Eventually a message "Are you sure you want to download macOS Catalina" will appear. It might look similar an update rather than the total version, but you'll see from the size of the download (around 6GB) that this is the complete installer for Catalina. Download Catalina
  4. In one case the installer has downloaded do not click Install. If you install it the installer will automatically exist deleted.
  5. You should be able to notice the Install macOS Catalina app in your Applications folder, you'll demand this for the next steps, which nosotros 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. Notation that as above, for this link to work you demand to be running Safari and you need to close the Mac App Store app first. If the Mac App Store app is open this redirect will not work.

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

Follow the steps in the section above to download it.

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 starting time).

Follow the steps in the department above 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 disk prototype named InstallOS.dmg will download and once it does you need to locate the pkg installer inside the disk image.

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

Nosotros've said in a higher place that in our experience usually the reason the above links don't work is if you lot are browsing in something other than Safari, or if you accept already got the Mac App Store open. Notwithstanding, if you are however finding that the link isn't working yous could try the alternative methods beneath.

Another issue is if the link takes you lot to the correct page in the Mac App Shop, but yous see an Update not constitute error bulletin when you try to download it. This is an issue we are aware of that others have encountered, although nosotros oasis't. In that instance we suggest you try to download the installer via that link using an older Mac.

You may also run into issues if you are trying to download an older version of macOS that your Mac cannot support. Usually when Apple tree 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 support certain components in that Mac, for example.

Find out more well-nigh what version of macOS your Mac supports hither: What version of macOS tin can my Mac run?

Other ways to go sometime macOS versions

If you are running an older version of macOS - or someone you know is - you should be able to easily find older versions of macOS and even Mac OS Ten in the Mac App Store. How like shooting fish in a barrel they are to observe will exist determined 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 found via the Purchased tab (not that anyone has had to pay for a Mac Bone Ten update for years).

Nevertheless, when Apple introduced Mojave the Mac App Store changed, and these installers can no longer be searched for or found in the purchased section of the shop. (Although nosotros do take redirect links in the section above to each of the relevant pages on the Mac App Store.)

If you happen to have access to a Mac that's running an older version of macOS, log into the Mac App Shop 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 above, once the installer has downloaded don't install information technology! If you do then the installer volition exist deleted. Y'all'll detect the installer in your Applications binder from which you can re-create on to your Mac - or create a bootable installer.

We've heard that it may be possible to download the installer via Terminal, however we were unable to get that method to work.

You may also observe updates to old version of macOS on Apple tree's website here, however these are simply betoken updates, rather than the total version, so it won't exist much assist if you are trying to go the full download.

The one matter you really mustn't exercise is get to a torrent site and download a copy of the Os X you want. Simply because Apple gives away its software for complimentary, don't think information technology'south fine to just pick up a re-create. Pirated copies of Apple tree software could accept been adapted to allow hackers access to the software and your Mac.

Download Mac OS 10

If you have admission to a Mac running OS 10 Yosemite or older information technology is possible to see old versions of Mac OS Ten in the Mac App Store. Yosemite, Mavericks and Mountain Lion can all be seen hither.

It's worth noting that you'll only see former versions of Mac OS X that you lot've downloaded under Purchased - if you lot never downloaded information technology (or if it was never on the Mac App Store), that version will not exist in your Purchased department. Another reason why the version of Mac Os X might be missing is if your auto shipped with that version installed. Nosotros'll wait at that scenario later.

Here is how to get an older version of Mac Os X from the Mac App Store (this but works if you've downloaded it in the past and it won't work if you have already installed Mojave or after):

  1. Open up the Mac App Store (choose Shop > Sign In if you need to log in).
  2. Click Purchased.
  3. Roll down to find the copy of Os X or macOS you lot want.
  4. Click Install.

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

You won't exist able to simply install this older version of the operating system direct onto a Mac running a newer version of Os X or macOS. We will explain how it can be installed on a Mac - including one currently running an earlier operating system here: How to install erstwhile Mac Bone Ten versions.

Tin't find Mac OS X in Purchased?

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

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

If y'all never downloaded the version of Mac Bone Ten and so jump to step 3 and find a friendly person who did. Inquire them to download the Mac OS X installer for you.

Luckily the copy of Os 10 isn't locked to their account and so information technology will install on any Mac.

How to get OS X King of beasts, Mountain Lion

Prior to June 2021 y'all could purchase Os 10 10.7 King of beasts or Mountain Lion from Apple for £nineteen.99 each - Apple would transport yous a download lawmaking. Now Apple has stopped charging for the ageing operating organization versions. Instead you can download the operating systems directly from the company's website.

The operating systems can be downloaded from the following links:

If information technology'due south Mac OS X x.7 Lion that you are after, it's however available for £nineteen.99 hither US or here Great britain. Apple volition transport you a download code to employ on the Mac App Shop, and so yous volition demand to be running Snow Leopard to install it.

If it's Bone Ten ten.8 Mountain Lion that yous can however buy it for £nineteen.99 hither The states or here UK.

We take more than information near getting the gratis installers for OS X Lion and Mountain Panthera leo from Apple in Apple offers complimentary downloads of OS 10 Lion and Mountain Panthera leo.

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

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 Snowfall Leopard arrived all versions of Mac Os X arrived via the Mac App Store, 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.vi Snowfall Leopard here for £19.99 (at its launch in 2009 it cost £25). If y'all purchased Snow Leopard this way you were sent a physical box containing an optical disc - and then you will demand a CD/DVD drive to install it (which you will probably have if the Mac is that quondam).

Apple has at present removed the ability to purchase Snowfall Leopard. However, this isn't a big problem because those people who were previously locked out of updates can now download the Lion or Mountain Lion update, as explained above.

Get Snow Leopard

How to become Bone 10 Leopard or earlier

If the sometime version of the Bone you are after predates Snow Leopard and you have a developer account you might be able to get it from developer.apple.com/downloads. If you lot search inside the Bone Ten category you lot should run into downloads for all versions of Bone Ten, at least from version ten.iii to 10.6.

You may exist able to access the Programmer department of the website, simply you will just be able to access certain software downloads if your Apple ID is associated with a paid Apple tree Developer Program.

If you haven't signed upwardly every bit a Apple Developer, detect out what that entails hither. It costs £79 ($99) a year to join the Apple tree Developer Program and you accept to sign a not disclosure agreement.

You could too attempt looking on Amazon or eBay to see if anyone is selling old versions of the Mac operating system. For example there'due south a Full Install of Os X Lion bachelor for £8.50 on Amazon here.

If it's Tiger you are afterwards, and then it will cost a little more than. There was a copy of Tiger on Amazon for £89.99 but it'due south currently unavailable.

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