So, you've decided to download an older version of Mac Os X. There are many reasons that could bespeak you to this radical determination. To brainstorm with, some of your apps may non exist working properly (or but crash) on newer operating systems. Too, you may have noticed your Mac's performance went down right after the last update. Finally, if you want to run a parallel copy of Mac Os X on a virtual machine, you too volition need a working installation file of an older Mac OS X. Further down we'll explain where to get one and what problems yous may face downwards the road.

A list of all Mac OS X versions

We'll be repeatedly referring to these Apple Os versions beneath, so it'southward practiced to know the basic macOS timeline.

Cheetah 10.0 Puma x.ane Jaguar x.two
Panther 10.iii Tiger 10.iv Leopard 10.v
Snow Leopard 10.6 King of beasts ten.seven Mountain King of beasts x.8
Mavericks 10.9 Yosemite x.10 El Capitan 10.11
Sierra ten.12 High Sierra 10.13 Mojave 10.14
Catalina 10.15

STEP one. Set your Mac for installation

Given your Mac isn't new and is filled with data, yous will probably demand enough free space on your Mac. This includes not but space for the OS itself but too space for other applications and your user data. Ane more statement is that the free space on your deejay translates into virtual retentivity then your apps have "fuel" to operate on. The chart below tells y'all how much free infinite is needed.

Note, that information technology is recommended that you install OS on a clean drive. Next, yous volition need enough disk space bachelor, for example, to create Recovery Partition. Here are some ideas to free upward space on your drive:

  • Uninstall big unused apps
  • Empty Trash Bin and Downloads
  • Locate the biggest files on your computer:

Go to Finder > All My Files > Conform past size

And so you can movement your space hoggers onto an external drive or a cloud storage.

If you aren't comfortable with cleaning the Mac manually, there are some nice automatic "room cleaners". Our favorite isCleanMyMac as information technology'southward most simple to utilize of all. It deletes system junk, sometime broken apps, and the rest of hidden junk on your bulldoze.

CleanMyMac X - Smart Scan complete

Download CleanMyMacfor OS ten.iv - 10.8 (gratis version)

Download CleanMyMac for Os 10.9 (free version)

Download CleanMyMacfor OS 10.10 - 10.fourteen (costless version)

STEP 2. Get a re-create of Mac OS X download

Ordinarily, it is assumed that updating Os is a one-mode road. That's why going back to a past Apple Os version is problematic. The main challenge is to download the OS installation file itself, because your Mac may already be running a newer version. If you succeed in downloading the OS installation, your next step is to create a bootable USB or DVD and then reinstall the OS on your computer.

How to download older Mac Bone 10 versions via the App Store

Mac operating system download


If y'all once had purchased an old version of Mac Os 10 from the App Store, open information technology and go to the Purchased tab. There yous'll detect all the installers you tin download. Even so, it doesn't always work that way. The purchased section lists but those operating systems that you lot had downloaded in the past. Only here is the path to bank check it:

  1. Click the App Store icon.
  2. Click Purchases in the top carte.
  3. Coil downward to find the preferred Bone X version.
  4. Click Download.

This method allows you to download Mavericks and Yosemite by logging with your Apple tree ID — only if you previously downloaded them from the Mac App Store.

Without App Shop: Download Mac OS version as Apple Programmer

If you are signed with an Apple tree Developer account, you tin can go access to products that are no longer listed on the App Store. If yous desperately need a lower OS X version build, consider creating a new Programmer account among other options. The membership cost is $99/yr and provides a bunch of perks unavailable to ordinary users.

Still, go on in mind that if you visit developer.apple.com/downloads, you can only detect 10.three-ten.6 OS X operating systems in that location. Newer versions are not bachelor considering starting Mac Bone 10 Snow Leopard 10.7, the App Shop has become the only source of updating Apple Os versions.

Purchase an older version of Mac operating arrangement

Apple OS Versions

You can buy a boxed or electronic mail version of by Mac OS Ten directly from Apple tree. Both will cost y'all around $20. For the reason of existence rather blowsy, Snow Leopard and earlier Apple tree versions can but be installed from DVD.

Buy a boxed edition of Snowfall Leopard 10.vi
Become an e-mail re-create of King of beasts 10.7
Become an e-mail copy of Mountain Lion 10.eight

The e-mail edition comes with a special download code you can use for the Mac App Store. Note, that to install the King of beasts or Mountain Lion, your Mac needs to exist running Snow Leopard so you tin install the newer OS on summit of it.

How to become macOS El Capitan download

If you lot are wondering if y'all tin can run El Capitan on an older Mac, rejoice as it'due south possible likewise. But earlier your Mac tin run El Capitan it has to be updated to Os Ten 10.6.8. Then, here are main steps you should take:

one. Install Snow Leopard from install DVD.
2. Update to ten.6.8 using Software Update.
3. Download El Capitan here.

"I tin can't download an old version of Mac OS X"

If you lot take a newer Mac, there is no physical choice to install Mac Bone versions older than your current Mac model. For example, if your MacBook was released in 2014, don't expect information technology to run any Bone released prior of that time, because older Apple OS versions merely practice not include hardware drivers for your Mac.

Mac os x download

Simply every bit it often happens, workarounds are possible. There is withal a risk to download the installation file if you have an access to a Mac (or virtual automobile) running that operating organization. For example, to go an installer for King of beasts, y'all may ask a friend who has Lion-operated Mac or, one time once again, ready a virtual machine running King of beasts. Then yous volition demand to fix an external drive to download the installation file using Bone X Utilities.

After you lot've completed the download, the installer should launch automatically, but you can click Abolish and re-create the file you demand. Below is the detailed education how to do it.

STEP 3. Install older Os Ten onto an external drive

The following method allows yous to download Mac OS X Lion, Mountain Lion, and Mavericks.

  1. Start your Mac belongings downwards Command + R.
  2. Prepare a make clean external drive (at least 10 GB of storage).
  3. Within Bone X Utilities, choose Reinstall Os X.
  4. Select external drive as a source.
  5. Enter your Apple ID.
How to download old Mac OS X versions

Now the Bone should start downloading automatically onto the external drive. After the download is complete, your Mac will prompt you to do a restart, simply at this betoken, you lot should completely shut it down. Now that the installation file is "captured" onto your external drive, you lot can reinstall the OS, this time running the file on your Mac.

  1. Boot your Mac from your standard bulldoze.
  2. Connect the external drive.
  3. Get to external bulldoze > Os Ten Install Data.

Locate InstallESD.dmg disk image file — this is the file you need to reinstall Lion OS X. The same steps are valid for Mountain King of beasts and Mavericks.

How to downgrade a Mac running later on macOS versions

If your Mac runs macOS Sierra 10.12 or macOS High Sierra 10.xiii, it is possible to revert it to the previous system if you lot are non satisfied with the feel. You lot can do it either with Time Motorcar or by creating a bootable USB or external drive.

Instruction todowngrade from macOS Sierra

Instruction todowngrade from macOS High Sierra

Instruction todowngrade from macOS Mojave

Education to downgrade from macOS Catalina

Before you practice information technology, the all-time advice is to back your Mac upward and so your most important files stay intact. In addition to that, it makes sense to clean upward your Mac from old system junk files and awarding leftovers. The easiest way to do it is to run CleanMyMac 10 on your automobile (download it for free here).

Visit your local Apple tree Store to download older Bone Ten version

If none of the options to go older OS X worked, pay a visit to nearest local Apple Store. They should have paradigm installations going back to OS Leopard and earlier. You can likewise inquire their assistance to create a bootable USB drive with the installation file. So here you are. We promise this article has helped you to download an old version of Mac OS X. Below are a few more links you may find interesting.