And then, you lot've decided to download an older version of Mac Bone X. In that location are many reasons that could point you to this radical decision. To begin with, some of your apps may not be working properly (or but crash) on newer operating systems. Too, you may accept noticed your Mac's performance went downward correct after the last update. Finally, if yous desire to run a parallel copy of Mac OS X on a virtual motorcar, you lot too volition need a working installation file of an older Mac Os X. Further downwardly we'll explain where to get i and what problems you may face down the route.

A list of all Mac Os X versions

We'll be repeatedly referring to these Apple Os versions below, and then it'due south good to know the basic macOS timeline.

Cheetah 10.0 Puma 10.1 Jaguar 10.2
Panther ten.iii Tiger 10.4 Leopard 10.5
Snow Leopard 10.6 Lion 10.seven Mountain Lion 10.8
Mavericks 10.9 Yosemite 10.x El Capitan 10.11
Sierra 10.12 High Sierra 10.xiii Mojave 10.14
Catalina 10.15

STEP 1. Prepare your Mac for installation

Given your Mac isn't new and is filled with information, yous will probably need enough free space on your Mac. This includes not simply space for the Os itself simply as well infinite for other applications and your user data. Ane more argument is that the free space on your disk translates into virtual memory so your apps have "fuel" to operate on. The nautical chart below tells you how much free infinite is needed.

Note, that it is recommended that yous install OS on a clean drive. Next, you lot will demand plenty disk infinite available, for example, to create Recovery Partition. Here are some ideas to free up space on your drive:

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

Become to Finder > All My Files > Arrange by size

Then you can move your space hoggers onto an external drive or a deject storage.

If you aren't comfy with cleaning the Mac manually, there are some nice automatic "room cleaners". Our favorite isCleanMyMac every bit it'southward nigh unproblematic to use of all. It deletes system junk, former broken apps, and the rest of hidden junk on your drive.

CleanMyMac X - Smart Scan complete

Download CleanMyMacfor OS 10.4 - 10.eight (free version)

Download CleanMyMac for OS 10.ix (costless version)

Download CleanMyMacfor Bone 10.x - 10.fourteen (free version)

Pace 2. Get a copy of Mac OS 10 download

Normally, it is assumed that updating OS is a one-way road. That's why going back to a by Apple tree 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 Bone installation, your next pace is to create a bootable USB or DVD and so reinstall the OS on your calculator.

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 X from the App Store, open it and go to the Purchased tab. There you'll find all the installers you tin can download. However, it doesn't ever work that way. The purchased section lists only those operating systems that you had downloaded in the by. Only here is the path to bank check information technology:

  1. Click the App Store icon.
  2. Click Purchases in the pinnacle carte.
  3. Scroll down to notice the preferred Bone X version.
  4. Click Download.

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

Without App Store: Download Mac OS version as Apple tree Programmer

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

Nevertheless, keep in heed that if you visit programmer.apple.com/downloads, y'all can merely find 10.three-10.6 Os X operating systems at that place. Newer versions are not bachelor considering starting Mac Bone X Snow Leopard 10.seven, the App Store has become the only source of updating Apple tree Os versions.

Purchase an older version of Mac operating arrangement

Apple OS Versions

You tin can purchase a boxed or email version of by Mac Bone X directly from Apple tree. Both will cost you lot around $20. For the reason of existence rather antiquated, Snow Leopard and earlier Apple tree versions can only be installed from DVD.

Purchase a boxed edition of Snow Leopard ten.vi
Get an e-mail copy of King of beasts 10.7
Get an email copy of Mountain Panthera leo ten.8

The email edition comes with a special download code yous can use for the Mac App Store. Note, that to install the Lion or Mountain King of beasts, your Mac needs to exist running Snow Leopard so you can install the newer Os on height of it.

How to get macOS El Capitan download

If you are wondering if y'all can run El Capitan on an older Mac, rejoice as it's possible besides. But before your Mac can run El Capitan it has to be updated to Bone X 10.6.8. So, hither are master steps yous should have:

ane. Install Snow Leopard from install DVD.
2. Update to 10.6.8 using Software Update.
3. Download El Capitan here.

"I can't download an sometime version of Mac OS Ten"

If you have a newer Mac, there is no physical choice to install Mac Os versions older than your current Mac model. For instance, 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 only do not include hardware drivers for your Mac.

Mac os x download

But as it often happens, workarounds are possible. There is withal a chance to download the installation file if you have an access to a Mac (or virtual car) running that operating system. For example, to get an installer for Panthera leo, yous may ask a friend who has Panthera leo-operated Mac or, once once more, gear up a virtual car running Lion. Then you lot will need to prepare an external drive to download the installation file using OS 10 Utilities.

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

STEP three. Install older OS X onto an external drive

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

  1. Start your Mac property downwardly Command + R.
  2. Fix a make clean external drive (at least ten GB of storage).
  3. Within Os 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. Later on the download is consummate, your Mac will prompt you to do a restart, but at this signal, you lot should completely close it downwards. Now that the installation file is "captured" onto your external drive, you can reinstall the Bone, this time running the file on your Mac.

  1. Boot your Mac from your standard drive.
  2. Connect the external drive.
  3. Get to external drive > Bone Ten Install Information.

Locate InstallESD.dmg disk image file — this is the file y'all demand to reinstall Lion OS X. The same steps are valid for Mountain Lion and Mavericks.

How to downgrade a Mac running later macOS versions

If your Mac runs macOS Sierra ten.12 or macOS High Sierra x.13, it is possible to revert it to the previous organisation if y'all are not satisfied with the feel. You lot can do it either with Time Automobile or by creating a bootable USB or external drive.

Pedagogy todowngrade from macOS Sierra

Instruction todowngrade from macOS High Sierra

Instruction todowngrade from macOS Mojave

Teaching to downgrade from macOS Catalina

Before you practise it, the best advice is to back your Mac upwards so your most important files stay intact. In improver to that, it makes sense to clean up your Mac from old system junk files and application leftovers. The easiest fashion to practice it is to run CleanMyMac X on your machine (download it for free hither).

Visit your local Apple Store to download older OS X version

If none of the options to get older Bone 10 worked, pay a visit to nearest local Apple Store. They should take image installations going back to Os Leopard and earlier. You can likewise inquire their help to create a bootable USB drive with the installation file. So here yous are. We hope this article has helped you to download an old version of Mac OS X. Beneath are a few more than links you lot may discover interesting.