So, you've decided to download an older version of Mac OS X. There are many reasons that could betoken y'all to this radical decision. To begin with, some of your apps may not be working properly (or simply crash) on newer operating systems. Likewise, you may have noticed your Mac'southward functioning went down right after the terminal update. Finally, if you want to run a parallel copy of Mac Bone Ten on a virtual car, you too will demand a working installation file of an older Mac Os 10. Further down nosotros'll explain where to get one and what problems you may face downwardly the route.

A list of all Mac Os X versions

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

Cheetah 10.0 Puma x.1 Jaguar 10.two
Panther 10.iii Tiger 10.4 Leopard x.five
Snowfall Leopard x.vi Lion x.vii Mountain Lion x.8
Mavericks 10.9 Yosemite 10.x El Capitan 10.11
Sierra ten.12 High Sierra ten.13 Mojave x.14
Catalina 10.xv

STEP 1. Ready your Mac for installation

Given your Mac isn't new and is filled with data, you will probably need enough free space on your Mac. This includes not just space for the Os itself but too space for other applications and your user data. One more argument is that the costless space on your disk translates into virtual retentivity so your apps accept "fuel" to operate on. The nautical chart below tells you how much free space is needed.

Note, that information technology is recommended that you install Os on a clean bulldoze. Next, you lot will need enough disk infinite available, for example, to create Recovery Segmentation. Here are some ideas to free upward space on your drive:

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

Go to Finder > All My Files > Conform by size

Then y'all can motility your space hoggers onto an external drive or a deject storage.

If you aren't comfortable with cleaning the Mac manually, there are some prissy automatic "room cleaners". Our favorite isCleanMyMac as it's about simple to utilize of all. Information technology deletes system junk, quondam broken apps, and the residuum of hidden junk on your bulldoze.

CleanMyMac X - Smart Scan complete

Download CleanMyMacfor Os ten.four - 10.8 (free version)

Download CleanMyMac for OS x.9 (free version)

Download CleanMyMacfor OS 10.10 - 10.14 (gratuitous version)

STEP 2. Get a copy of Mac Os X download

Unremarkably, it is causeless that updating Bone is a 1-way road. That'due south why going back to a by 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 y'all succeed in downloading the OS installation, your next step is to create a bootable USB or DVD and so reinstall the Bone on your reckoner.

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

Mac operating system download


If you once had purchased an old version of Mac Os 10 from the App Store, open it and become to the Purchased tab. There you'll find all the installers you can download. However, it doesn't e'er work that mode. The purchased section lists only those operating systems that you had downloaded in the past. Just here is the path to bank check it:

  1. Click the App Shop icon.
  2. Click Purchases in the peak carte du jour.
  3. Coil down to notice the preferred OS Ten version.
  4. Click Download.

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

Without App Store: Download Mac OS version as Apple Developer

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

Nevertheless, go along in heed that if you visit developer.apple.com/downloads, you can only find 10.three-10.6 Bone X operating systems there. Newer versions are non available because starting Mac OS X Snowfall Leopard ten.7, the App Store has become the only source of updating Apple tree Bone versions.

Purchase an older version of Mac operating system

Apple OS Versions

You tin purchase a boxed or electronic mail version of past Mac Bone X straight from Apple. Both will cost you around $xx. For the reason of being rather blowsy, Snow Leopard and earlier Apple versions tin can only exist installed from DVD.

Buy a boxed edition of Snowfall Leopard 10.vi
Go an electronic mail copy of Lion ten.seven
Become an email copy of Mount Lion ten.8

The email edition comes with a special download code you lot tin utilise for the Mac App Store. Note, that to install the Lion or Mountain Lion, your Mac needs to be running Snow Leopard and so you tin install the newer Bone on summit of it.

How to get macOS El Capitan download

If you lot are wondering if y'all can run El Capitan on an older Mac, rejoice as it's possible too. But earlier your Mac can run El Capitan information technology has to be updated to Os X x.vi.eight. Then, here are chief steps you should take:

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

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

If you have a newer Mac, there is no physical option to install Mac Bone versions older than your current Mac model. For instance, if your MacBook was released in 2014, don't expect it to run any Bone released prior of that time, considering older Apple OS versions only do not include hardware drivers for your Mac.

Mac os x download

But as it ofttimes happens, workarounds are possible. There is still a chance to download the installation file if you have an access to a Mac (or virtual machine) running that operating system. For example, to get an installer for Lion, you may enquire a friend who has Lion-operated Mac or, once again, set up a virtual machine running Lion. Then you will need to prepare an external bulldoze to download the installation file using Bone X Utilities.

After yous've completed the download, the installer should launch automatically, only you tin can click Cancel and copy the file you need. Below is the detailed instruction how to practise information technology.

Footstep 3. Install older Os X onto an external bulldoze

The post-obit method allows you lot to download Mac Os X King of beasts, Mountain Panthera leo, and Mavericks.

  1. Starting time your Mac belongings down Command + R.
  2. Ready a make clean external bulldoze (at least ten GB of storage).
  3. Within OS X Utilities, choose Reinstall OS 10.
  4. Select external drive as a source.
  5. Enter your Apple ID.
How to download old Mac OS X versions

Now the OS should start downloading automatically onto the external drive. After the download is complete, your Mac volition prompt you to exercise a restart, but at this signal, you should completely close it down. Now that the installation file is "captured" onto your external drive, y'all 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. Go to external drive > OS X Install Data.

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

How to downgrade a Mac running later on macOS versions

If your Mac runs macOS Sierra 10.12 or macOS High Sierra ten.13, it is possible to revert it to the previous organization if yous are non satisfied with the experience. You can exercise it either with Fourth dimension Machine or by creating a bootable USB or external bulldoze.

Education todowngrade from macOS Sierra

Didactics todowngrade from macOS High Sierra

Instruction todowngrade from macOS Mojave

Instruction to downgrade from macOS Catalina

Before you practise information technology, the best advice is to back your Mac upwardly and then your most important files stay intact. In addition to that, it makes sense to clean upwardly your Mac from old organisation junk files and application leftovers. The easiest way to do information technology is to run CleanMyMac Ten on your motorcar (download it for gratis here).

Visit your local Apple Shop to download older OS Ten version

If none of the options to get older OS X worked, pay a visit to nearest local Apple Store. They should take image installations going dorsum to Os Leopard and before. Yous can besides enquire their aid to create a bootable USB bulldoze with the installation file. So here you are. Nosotros hope this article has helped y'all to download an sometime version of Mac OS Ten. Beneath are a few more than links you may find interesting.