There are a few reasons why yous might want to download and install old versions of macOS or Mac Bone 10. Perhaps you are relying on software you have discovered doesn't work properly in the latest version. Or maybe you just don't similar the new version of macOS that you have installed.

Another scenario is that you are a developer and you need to be running multiple versions of macOS and Mac OS X and so that you can be sure that your software runs correctly on them. Either way, you have questions and we accept answers.

In this article we will encompass how to get former versions of macOS including Big Sur, Catalina, Mojave, El Capitan, Sierra, Yosemite and even one-time versions of Mac Os 10. We explain how to get hold of the relevant installer files then that you can install the software on your Mac.

We have a dissever article that explains how to install old versions of macOS for when yous go to that phase of the process.

If yous are looking for a mode to revert to the previous version of macOS, we take a more specific article most downgrading from Monterey to Large Sur and other versions, although we exercise comprehend the method here besides. We likewise have a guide to downgrading from the macOS beta.

Still, if you were hoping to run older versions of macOS on M1 Macs that's not possible.

Y'all as well might want to get 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 quondam macOS?

Before y'all can install an older version of macOS or Mac Os X you will demand to become hold of the installer for the version of macOS you want to install. Luckily it is possible to gets concur of these files - as long as you know where to become on the Mac App Shop.

Nosotros have the necessary links to the Mac App Shop below. We will prove you lot a way to get the following macOS installers:

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

*Notation that we take discovered that the links we requite below will just work if you are surfing in Safari, and then we suggest you switch to Apple's browser before moving on. You should also close the Mac App Store app if yous accept that open or the link may not work*

You won't exist able to go the Mac Bone X Snow Leopard download this way, but nosotros'll look at that later. In fact, we tell y'all how to go copies of Leopard, King of beasts and Mount Panthera leo too!

We have a list of which Macs run which versions of macOS & Mac Bone Ten.

How to download macOS Big Sur

You can download the installer for Large Sur from the Mac App Store - 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. (Use Safari and brand certain the Mac App Store app is closed first or it 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 Large Sur page.
  2. Click on Get.
  3. Software Update volition open with the words "Finding Update". Eventually a message "Are you sure y'all want to download macOS Big Sur" will announced. Information technology might look similar an update rather than the full version, simply yous'll encounter from the size of the download (effectually 6GB) that this is the complete installer for Big Sur.
  4. Once the installer has downloaded do not click Install. If you install information technology the installer volition automatically exist deleted.
  5. You should exist able to discover the Install macOS Big Sur app in your Applications folder, y'all'll need 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 besides download the installer for Catalina from the Mac App Store - as long as yous know the magic link.

  • Click on this link which will open the Mac App Store on the Catalina page. (Use Safari and brand sure the Mac App Store app is airtight first).

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 folio.
  2. Click on Get.
  3. Software Update will open with the words "Finding Update". Eventually a message "Are you sure you want to download macOS Catalina" will appear. It might expect similar an update rather than the full version, only you'll run into from the size of the download (around 6GB) that this is the complete installer for Catalina. Download Catalina
  4. Once the installer has downloaded do not click Install. If you install information technology the installer will automatically be deleted.
  5. Yous should be able to find the Install macOS Catalina app in your Applications folder, you'll demand this for the next steps, which nosotros outline hither: How to downgrade macOS, install an older version on your Mac.

How to download macOS Mojave

It is as well possible to access the Mojave installer via this link to the Mac App Store. Note that equally to a higher place, for this link to work you need to be running Safari and yous need to close the Mac App Store app first. If the Mac App Store app is open up this redirect volition not work.

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

Follow the steps in the section above to download it.

Download Mojave

How to download High Sierra

It is as well possible to download High Sierra via this link. (Utilize Safari, close the Mac App Shop 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 lot need to locate the pkg installer inside the disk image.

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

We've said to a higher place that in our feel unremarkably the reason the to a higher place links don't piece of work is if yous are browsing in something other than Safari, or if you have already got the Mac App Shop open. However, if you lot are still finding that the link isn't working you could endeavour the alternative methods below.

Another issue is if the link takes you lot to the correct page in the Mac App Store, only you meet an Update not found error message when y'all try to download information technology. This is an upshot we are aware of that others have encountered, although we haven't. In that example we propose yous effort to download the installer via that link using an older Mac.

Yous may too encounter bug if y'all are trying to download an older version of macOS that your Mac cannot support. Ordinarily 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 not support sure components in that Mac, for example.

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

Other ways to go one-time macOS versions

If you are running an older version of macOS - or someone yous know is - you should exist able to easily find older versions of macOS and fifty-fifty Mac OS Ten in the Mac App Shop. How piece of cake they are to find volition be 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 establish via the Purchased tab (non 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 can no longer be searched for or plant in the purchased department of the store. (Although we exercise accept redirect links in the department higher up to each of the relevant pages on the Mac App Store.)

If you happen to take access to a Mac that'due south 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.

Equally higher up, once the installer has downloaded don't install information technology! If you do and then the installer will exist deleted. You'll find 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, nonetheless we were unable to get that method to work.

Yous may also notice updates to one-time version of macOS on Apple'southward website hither, nonetheless these are merely point updates, rather than the full version, and so it won't be much aid if you are trying to get the full download.

The ane thing you really mustn't do is become to a torrent site and download a copy of the OS X you want. Only because Apple gives away its software for free, don't call up it's fine to just pick upwardly a copy. Pirated copies of Apple tree software could have been adjusted to let hackers access to the software and your Mac.

Download Mac Os 10

If you have access to a Mac running Os Ten Yosemite or older it is possible to run across old versions of Mac Bone 10 in the Mac App Store. Yosemite, Mavericks and Mount Lion tin can all be seen here.

Information technology'southward worth noting that you lot'll only run across quondam versions of Mac Os Ten that y'all've downloaded under Purchased - if yous never downloaded it (or if it was never on the Mac App Store), that version volition not be in your Purchased section. Another reason why the version of Mac OS X might be missing is if your automobile shipped with that version installed. Nosotros'll expect at that scenario later.

Here is how to get 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 work if you have already installed Mojave or later):

  1. Open up the Mac App Shop (choose Shop > Sign In if y'all need to log in).
  2. Click Purchased.
  3. Scroll downwardly to find the copy of Os X or macOS you want.
  4. Click Install.

Clicking Install won't really install the software, but it will 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 OS X or macOS. Nosotros will explain how it can be installed on a Mac - including ane currently running an earlier operating system here: How to install onetime Mac Os X versions.

Tin can't observe Mac Bone Ten in Purchased?

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

  1. Log out of the App Store then log in once more.
  2. If it'south a possibility that you downloaded it while logged in to a dissimilar Apple ID (peradventure a piece of work-related i), 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 you never downloaded the version of Mac OS Ten then spring to step three and find a friendly person who did. Ask them to download the Mac OS X installer for you.

Luckily the copy of Bone X isn't locked to their account so it will install on any Mac.

How to go Os X Lion, Mount Lion

Prior to June 2021 you could buy OS X 10.7 Lion or Mountain Lion from Apple for £19.99 each - Apple tree would send you a download code. At present Apple has stopped charging for the ageing operating system versions. Instead you can download the operating systems directly from the visitor'due south website.

The operating systems can be downloaded from the following links:

If information technology's Mac Bone X x.7 Lion that you are after, it's even so available for £xix.99 here U.s.a. or here Uk. Apple will transport y'all a download code to use on the Mac App Shop, and so yous will need to be running Snow Leopard to install it.

If it's Os X x.8 Mountain Lion that you can still buy information technology for £xix.99 here United states or here United kingdom of great britain and northern ireland.

We have more data about getting the gratuitous installers for OS Ten Lion and Mountain Lion from Apple in Apple offers free downloads of OS X Lion and Mountain King of beasts.

Whether your Mac will really run these operating systems is some other question nosotros address here: Which versions of macOS can my Mac run? Note that only 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 take admission to the Mac App Store. Since for a number of years after Snow Leopard arrived all versions of Mac OS X arrived via the Mac App Store, those who never installed Snow Leopard had a problem: without Snow Leopard they couldn't update.

Until 2021 Apple nevertheless sold a boxed version of Mac Os X x.6 Snow Leopard here for £19.99 (at its launch in 2009 it cost £25). If you purchased Snowfall Leopard this manner you were sent a concrete box containing an optical disc - and then you will need a CD/DVD drive to install it (which you will probably have if the Mac is that former).

Apple has at present removed the power to buy Snow Leopard. Nevertheless, this isn't a big problem considering those people who were previously locked out of updates can now download the Lion or Mountain King of beasts update, as explained above.

Get Snow Leopard

How to become Os Ten Leopard or earlier

If the quondam version of the OS you lot are later on predates Snow Leopard and y'all have a programmer account you might exist able to become information technology from programmer.apple.com/downloads. If you search inside the OS X category yous should see downloads for all versions of OS 10, at least from version 10.3 to 10.6.

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

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

You could also try looking on Amazon or eBay to see if anyone is selling former versions of the Mac operating system. For instance there's a Total Install of Bone X Lion available for £8.l on Amazon hither.

If it's Tiger you are after, so it volition cost a little more than. There was a copy of Tiger on Amazon for £89.99 but it'south currently unavailable.

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