There are a few reasons why you lot might want to download and install erstwhile versions of macOS or Mac Os Ten. Maybe you lot are relying on software yous have discovered doesn't work properly in the latest version. Or perchance you just don't like the new version of macOS that y'all take installed.

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

In this article we volition cover how to get quondam versions of macOS including Large Sur, Catalina, Mojave, El Capitan, Sierra, Yosemite and even old versions of Mac OS 10. Nosotros explain how to become hold of the relevant installer files so that you tin install the software on your Mac.

We have a separate article that explains how to install old versions of macOS for when yous become to that phase of the procedure.

If you lot are looking for a way to revert to the previous version of macOS, we have a more specific commodity about downgrading from Monterey to Big Sur and other versions, although we exercise cover the method here likewise. Nosotros besides accept a guide to downgrading from the macOS beta.

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

You 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 likewise expect at that scenario separately).

Where can I download quondam macOS?

Earlier you can install an older version of macOS or Mac OS X you will need to become hold of the installer for the version of macOS you want to install. Luckily it is possible to gets hold of these files - equally long as you know where to get on the Mac App Shop.

Nosotros have the necessary links to the Mac App Store below. We will show y'all a mode to get the post-obit macOS installers:

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

*Note that we accept discovered that the links we give beneath volition merely work if you are surfing in Safari, so we advise yous switch to Apple'due south browser before moving on. You should too close the Mac App Shop app if you have that open or the link may not work*

You won't be able to go the Mac Bone 10 Snow Leopard download this style, but we'll look at that later. In fact, nosotros tell you how to get copies of Leopard, Lion and Mountain Lion also!

Nosotros have a list of which Macs run which versions of macOS & Mac OS 10.

How to download macOS Big Sur

You can download the installer for Big Sur from the Mac App Store - every bit long equally you know where to notice it - searching the Mac App Store volition not work.

  • Click on this link which to open up the Mac App Shop on the Big Sur page. (Utilize Safari and brand sure the Mac App Store app is airtight first or it might non work).

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

  1. Click this link to open the Mac App Shop on the Large Sur page.
  2. Click on Get.
  3. Software Update will open with the words "Finding Update". Somewhen a message "Are you certain yous want to download macOS Big Sur" will appear. It might look like an update rather than the full version, but you'll run into from the size of the download (around 6GB) that this is the complete installer for Big Sur.
  4. One time the installer has downloaded do not click Install. If you install it the installer will automatically be deleted.
  5. Y'all should be able to discover the Install macOS Big Sur app in your Applications folder, you lot'll need this for the next steps, which we outline here: How to downgrade macOS, install an older version on your Mac.

How to download macOS Catalina

Y'all tin can likewise download the installer for Catalina from the Mac App Shop - as long as you know the magic link.

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

Catalina Mac App Store

As above, follow these steps to download Catalina (or any other version of macOS) from the Mac App Shop:

  1. Click this link to open up the Mac App Store on the Catalina folio.
  2. Click on Get.
  3. Software Update volition open with the words "Finding Update". Eventually a message "Are you certain yous desire to download macOS Catalina" will announced. 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. In one case the installer has downloaded practice non 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, yous'll need this for the next steps, which we outline hither: How to downgrade macOS, install an older version on your Mac.

How to download macOS Mojave

It is likewise possible to admission the Mojave installer via this link to the Mac App Store. Note that as higher up, for this link to work you need to exist running Safari and yous demand to close the Mac App Shop app first. If the Mac App Store app is open this redirect volition 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 information technology.

Download Mojave

How to download Loftier Sierra

It is as well possible to download High Sierra via this link. (Utilise Safari, close the Mac App Shop app showtime).

Follow the steps in the department above to download Loftier Sierra.

How to download Sierra, El Capitan or Yosemite

Apple tree provides dmg files of these older macOS versions - you need to download them in Safari. A disk image named InstallOS.dmg volition download and in one case it does you lot demand to locate the pkg installer inside the disk image.

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

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

Some other result is if the link takes you to the correct page in the Mac App Store, but you see an Update not found fault message when you try to download information technology. This is an issue we are enlightened of that others have encountered, although we haven't. In that case we suggest you endeavor to download the installer via that link using an older Mac.

You may too come across issues if you are trying to download an older version of macOS that your Mac cannot support. Ordinarily when Apple introduces a new Mac it will non exist able to run the version of macOS that shipped earlier the i installed on that Mac. The older macOS might not support certain components in that Mac, for instance.

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

Other means to become one-time macOS versions

If yous are running an older version of macOS - or someone you know is - you should exist able to easily find older versions of macOS and even Mac Os 10 in the Mac App Store. How easy 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 plant via the Purchased tab (non that anyone has had to pay for a Mac Os Ten update for years).

However, when Apple introduced Mojave the Mac App Store changed, and these installers can no longer be searched for or plant in the purchased section of the shop. (Although nosotros do have redirect links in the section above 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 Store with your password and download the Mojave installer on that Mac. Alternatively ask a friend to download a re-create of the installer from the Mac App Shop for yous. We run through this method in the section below.

As above, once the installer has downloaded don't install information technology! If y'all practice 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.

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

You may also find updates to one-time version of macOS on Apple's website hither, withal these are but point updates, rather than the full version, then it won't exist much assist if you are trying to get the full download.

The 1 thing you really mustn't do is go to a torrent site and download a copy of the OS X you desire. Just because Apple gives away its software for free, don't think it's fine to just pick up a copy. Pirated copies of Apple software could have been adjusted to allow hackers access to the software and your Mac.

Download Mac Os X

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

It's worth noting that you'll only see old versions of Mac Bone Ten that you've downloaded under Purchased - if you never downloaded it (or if information technology was never on the Mac App Shop), that version will not be in your Purchased section. Another reason why the version of Mac OS Ten might be missing is if your machine shipped with that version installed. We'll wait at that scenario later.

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

  1. Open up the Mac App Store (choose Store > Sign In if you need to log in).
  2. Click Purchased.
  3. Scroll downward to find the copy of OS Ten or macOS you want.
  4. Click Install.

Clicking Install won't really install the software, simply information technology will download the installer application to your Applications folder.

Yous won't be able to merely install this older version of the operating system straight onto a Mac running a newer version of OS Ten or macOS. We will explain how it can be installed on a Mac - including i currently running an earlier operating system here: How to install former Mac OS X versions.

Can't observe Mac OS X in Purchased?

If you know you lot have previously downloaded the version of macOS y'all are after, but you aren't seeing information technology in the Purchased section, at that place are a few things to endeavor:

  1. Log out of the App Store so log in again.
  2. If it's a possibility that you downloaded it while logged in to a different Apple tree ID (perhaps 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 Bone X then jump to step three and detect a friendly person who did. Enquire them to download the Mac Bone X installer for you.

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

How to get Bone 10 Lion, Mountain Lion

Prior to June 2021 you could buy Os X 10.vii Panthera leo or Mountain Lion from Apple for £19.99 each - Apple would send yous a download lawmaking. At present Apple has stopped charging for the ageing operating system versions. Instead you can download the operating systems straight from the company's website.

The operating systems can be downloaded from the following links:

If it's Mac Bone X 10.7 Lion that you are subsequently, information technology'due south nonetheless available for £19.99 here The states or here UK. Apple tree will send you a download code to employ on the Mac App Store, so you will need to be running Snow Leopard to install it.

If information technology's OS X 10.viii Mountain Lion that you can still buy it for £19.99 here Usa or here Great britain.

We take more data most getting the free installers for OS Ten Panthera leo and Mountain Panthera leo from Apple in Apple offers free downloads of Bone Ten Lion and Mountain Lion.

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

How to get Os Ten Snow Leopard

If your Mac has a version of macOS installed that is older than Snow Leopard you lot won't have access to the Mac App Shop. Since for a number of years after Snow Leopard arrived all versions of Mac OS X arrived via the Mac App Shop, those who never installed Snow Leopard had a problem: without Snowfall Leopard they couldn't update.

Until 2021 Apple notwithstanding sold a boxed version of Mac Os X 10.half dozen Snowfall Leopard here for £19.99 (at its launch in 2009 it cost £25). If you purchased Snow Leopard this manner you were sent a physical box containing an optical disc - so you will need a CD/DVD drive to install it (which you will probably accept if the Mac is that old).

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

Get Snow Leopard

How to get OS 10 Leopard or earlier

If the one-time version of the OS you are later predates Snow Leopard and you have a developer account you might be able to get information technology from developer.apple.com/downloads. If you search within the OS X category yous should see downloads for all versions of OS X, at to the lowest degree from version x.3 to 10.6.

You may exist able to access the Programmer section of the website, but y'all will only 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 up equally a Apple tree Developer, find out what that entails hither. It costs £79 ($99) a year to join the Apple Developer Program and you have to sign a non disclosure agreement.

Y'all could also effort looking on Amazon or eBay to see if anyone is selling quondam versions of the Mac operating system. For case at that place's a Total Install of Os 10 Lion available for £8.50 on Amazon here.

If it's Tiger you are after, then it will toll a lilliputian 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