There are a few reasons why you might desire to download and install former versions of macOS or Mac OS Ten. Perhaps you are relying on software you have discovered doesn't work properly in the latest version. Or maybe you just don't like the new version of macOS that yous accept installed.

Another scenario is that you are a developer and y'all need to be running multiple versions of macOS and Mac Bone Ten and then that you can be sure that your software runs correctly on them. Either fashion, y'all accept questions and we have answers.

In this article nosotros volition cover how to get old versions of macOS including Big Sur, Catalina, Mojave, El Capitan, Sierra, Yosemite and even old versions of Mac Bone 10. We explicate how to go hold of the relevant installer files and so that you tin install the software on your Mac.

Nosotros have a carve up commodity that explains how to install old versions of macOS for when yous get to that stage of the process.

If you are looking for a style to revert to the previous version of macOS, nosotros have a more than specific article about downgrading from Monterey to Big Sur and other versions, although we do cover the method here too. We also have a guide to downgrading from the macOS beta.

Nonetheless, 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 old macOS?

Earlier you tin can install an older version of macOS or Mac Bone X you will need to get concur of the installer for the version of macOS y'all want to install. Luckily information technology is possible to gets hold of these files - equally long as yous know where to go on the Mac App Shop.

We take the necessary links to the Mac App Store below. Nosotros volition prove you a style to get the following macOS installers:

  • macOS Large Sur
  • macOS Catalina
  • macOS Mojave
  • macOS Loftier Sierra
  • macOS Sierra
  • Os X El Capitan
  • Os X Yosemite
  • Bone X Mavericks
  • Os X Mountain Panthera leo
  • OS 10 Lion

*Note that we have discovered that the links we give beneath will only work if you are surfing in Safari, and then nosotros advise you switch to Apple'due south browser before moving on. You should also close the Mac App Store app if you lot have that open up or the link may not piece of work*

You won't be able to become the Mac OS 10 Snow Leopard download this way, just we'll look at that subsequently. In fact, nosotros tell you how to become copies of Leopard, Lion and Mount Panthera leo besides!

Nosotros have a list of which Macs run which versions of macOS & Mac OS Ten.

How to download macOS Big Sur

You can download the installer for Large Sur from the Mac App Store - as long every bit you know where to find it - searching the Mac App Store will non piece of work.

  • Click on this link which to open the Mac App Store on the Big Sur page. (Use Safari and brand sure the Mac App Shop app is closed first or information technology might not work).

Follow these steps to download Big Sur (or any 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 will open up with the words "Finding Update". Somewhen a message "Are you sure you want to download macOS Big Sur" will appear. It might look like an update rather than the total version, but you'll encounter from the size of the download (around 6GB) that this is the complete installer for Big Sur.
  4. Once the installer has downloaded do not click Install. If y'all install it the installer will automatically be deleted.
  5. You lot should be able to discover the Install macOS Large Sur app in your Applications folder, you'll need this for the next steps, which nosotros outline here: How to downgrade macOS, install an older version on your Mac.

How to download macOS Catalina

Yous can also download the installer for Catalina from the Mac App Shop - every bit long every bit you know the magic link.

  • Click on this link which will open the Mac App Store on the Catalina folio. (Use Safari and make certain the Mac App Shop app is airtight showtime).

Catalina Mac App Store

As above, 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 with the words "Finding Update". Eventually a message "Are you sure you desire to download macOS Catalina" will appear. It might look like an update rather than the full version, but yous'll see from the size of the download (around 6GB) that this is the complete installer for Catalina. Download Catalina
  4. One time the installer has downloaded do not click Install. If you install it the installer will automatically be deleted.
  5. You should exist able to find the Install macOS Catalina app in your Applications folder, you'll demand 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 besides possible to access the Mojave installer via this link to the Mac App Store. Note that every bit above, for this link to work you need to exist running Safari and y'all need to shut the Mac App Store app first. If the Mac App Shop app is open up 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 in a higher place to download it.

Download Mojave

How to download High Sierra

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

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 paradigm named InstallOS.dmg will download and once it does you lot demand to locate the pkg installer inside the deejay image.

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

Nosotros've said higher up that in our experience commonly the reason the above links don't work is if you are browsing in something other than Safari, or if you have already got the Mac App Store open. However, if you are all the same finding that the link isn't working y'all could try the alternative methods below.

Another issue is if the link takes you to the right folio in the Mac App Shop, only yous see an Update not institute error bulletin when you endeavor to download it. This is an issue nosotros are aware of that others have encountered, although we haven't. In that case we suggest you attempt to download the installer via that link using an older Mac.

Y'all may also run across issues if you are trying to download an older version of macOS that your Mac cannot support. Usually when Apple introduces a new Mac it will not be able to run the version of macOS that shipped before the i installed on that Mac. The older macOS might not back up sure components in that Mac, for example.

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

Other ways to go old macOS versions

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

Prior to macOS Mojave'south 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 OS X update for years).

However, when Apple introduced Mojave the Mac App Shop changed, and these installers tin no longer be searched for or found in the purchased section of the store. (Although we practise have 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 Store with your password and download the Mojave installer on that Mac. Alternatively enquire a friend to download a re-create of the installer from the Mac App Store for you. We run through this method in the section beneath.

Equally above, once the installer has downloaded don't install information technology! If you lot do then the installer will be deleted. Y'all'll find the installer in your Applications folder from which yous can copy on to your Mac - or create a bootable installer.

Nosotros've heard that information technology may be possible to download the installer via Terminal, however we were unable to go that method to work.

You may too find updates to onetime version of macOS on Apple'south website here, nevertheless these are but point updates, rather than the full version, then it won't exist much help if yous are trying to get the total download.

The one thing you really mustn't do is get to a torrent site and download a copy of the Bone X you lot want. Just because Apple gives abroad its software for free, don't think it'due south fine to just selection upward a copy. Pirated copies of Apple software could have been adjusted to allow hackers admission to the software and your Mac.

Download Mac Bone X

If y'all have access to a Mac running OS X Yosemite or older it is possible to see old versions of Mac OS X in the Mac App Shop. Yosemite, Mavericks and Mount Lion can all be seen here.

It'south worth noting that yous'll only see onetime versions of Mac OS Ten that you've downloaded under Purchased - if y'all never downloaded it (or if it was never on the Mac App Store), that version will non be in your Purchased section. Another reason why the version of Mac Os X might exist missing is if your automobile shipped with that version installed. We'll wait at that scenario later.

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

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

Clicking Install won't actually install the software, but information technology volition download the installer application to your Applications binder.

You won't be able to simply install this older version of the operating organization direct onto a Mac running a newer version of Bone X or macOS. We will explicate how it tin can be installed on a Mac - including one currently running an before operating system hither: How to install old Mac Bone X versions.

Can't find Mac Bone X in Purchased?

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

  1. Log out of the App Store and then log in once more.
  2. If it'south a possibility that yous downloaded it while logged in to a unlike Apple ID (peradventure a work-related i), log in using that ID.
  3. Alternatively, find someone who has downloaded that version of the Mac operating arrangement and ask them to download the installation file for you lot.

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

Luckily the re-create of Bone 10 isn't locked to their account so it will install on any Mac.

How to get Os X Lion, Mountain Lion

Prior to June 2021 you could purchase Bone X 10.7 Panthera leo or Mount Lion from Apple for £19.99 each - Apple would send y'all a download code. Now Apple has stopped charging for the ageing operating organisation versions. Instead you tin can download the operating systems directly from the company'southward website.

The operating systems can be downloaded from the following links:

If it's Mac OS X 10.7 King of beasts that y'all are after, it's still available for £19.99 here US or here UK. Apple volition transport you a download code to use on the Mac App Store, and then y'all volition demand to be running Snowfall Leopard to install it.

If it's OS 10 10.8 Mount Lion that you lot tin still buy information technology for £nineteen.99 here US or here UK.

Nosotros have more information about getting the free installers for Os X Lion and Mountain Panthera leo from Apple in Apple tree offers costless downloads of OS X Lion and Mount King of beasts.

Whether your Mac volition really run these operating systems is another question we address here: Which versions of macOS can my Mac run? Notation that only Macs that predate 2012 volition run Lion.

How to go OS 10 Snowfall Leopard

If your Mac has a version of macOS installed that is older than Snow Leopard yous won't have admission 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 Shop, those who never installed Snow Leopard had a problem: without Snow Leopard they couldn't update.

Until 2021 Apple still sold a boxed version of Mac OS X 10.half-dozen Snow Leopard here for £19.99 (at its launch in 2009 it cost £25). If y'all purchased Snow Leopard this manner y'all were sent a physical box containing an optical disc - so you volition 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 large problem because those people who were previously locked out of updates can now download the Lion or Mountain Lion update, every bit explained higher up.

Get Snow Leopard

How to get OS 10 Leopard or earlier

If the former version of the Os yous are afterwards predates Snow Leopard and y'all have a developer account yous might be able to get information technology from developer.apple.com/downloads. If you search inside the Os 10 category you should see downloads for all versions of Os X, at least from version 10.3 to 10.half-dozen.

You may be able to admission the Developer department of the website, merely y'all will only be able to access sure software downloads if your Apple ID is associated with a paid Apple Programmer Plan.

If yous haven't signed up as a Apple Developer, observe out what that entails here. It costs £79 ($99) a twelvemonth to bring together the Apple Developer Program and yous accept to sign a not 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 there'due south a Total Install of OS X Panthera leo available for £8.50 on Amazon here.

If it's Tiger y'all are afterwards, then it volition toll a picayune more. There was a copy of Tiger on Amazon for £89.99 but it's currently unavailable.

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