So, you've decided to download an older version of Mac OS 10. There are many reasons that could point you to this radical decision. To begin with, some of your apps may not be working properly (or simply crash) on newer operating systems. Also, you may have noticed your Mac's operation went down correct after the last update. Finally, if you want to run a parallel copy of Mac Bone X on a virtual motorcar, you also will need a working installation file of an older Mac Os X. Further downwards we'll explain where to get one and what issues you may face down the route.

A list of all Mac Bone X versions

We'll be repeatedly referring to these Apple Os versions below, so it's proficient to know the bones macOS timeline.

Chetah 10.0 Puma x.1 Jaguar 10.2
Panther ten.3 Tiger 10.iv Leopard x.5
Snow Leopard 10.6 Panthera leo 10.7 Mountain Lion 10.8
Mavericks 10.9 Yosemite 10.x El Capitan 10.11
Sierra 10.12 Loftier Sierra 10.xiii Mojave ten.14
Catalina ten.15

Footstep 1. Set up your Mac for installation

Given your Mac isn't new and is filled with data, you volition probably need enough free space on your Mac. This includes not just space for the Bone itself but besides space for other applications and your user data. I more argument is that the free space on your disk translates into virtual memory then your apps have "fuel" to operate on. The chart below tells you how much free space is needed.

Note, that it is recommended that you install Bone on a make clean drive. Next, yous will demand enough disk infinite available, for example, to create Recovery Sectionalisation. Here are some ideas to gratis up space on your bulldoze:

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

Go to Finder > All My Files > Adjust by size

So you can move your infinite hoggers onto an external bulldoze or a cloud storage.

If you aren't comfortable with cleaning the Mac manually, in that location are some dainty automatic "room cleaners". Our favorite isCleanMyMac as it'south most uncomplicated to utilize of all. Information technology deletes system junk, old broken apps, and the rest of subconscious junk on your drive.

CleanMyMac X - Smart Scan complete

Download CleanMyMacfor OS 10.4 - ten.8 (free version)

Download CleanMyMac for OS ten.9 (free version)

Download CleanMyMacfor OS ten.x - x.14 (free version)

Footstep 2. Get a re-create of Mac Os 10 download

Normally, it is assumed that updating Os is a 1-manner road. That's why going back to a past Apple tree OS version is problematic. The principal claiming 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 adjacent footstep is to create a bootable USB or DVD and then reinstall the OS on your estimator.

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

Mac operating system download


If you once had purchased an old version of Mac OS X from the App Store, open up information technology and get to the Purchased tab. There you'll discover all the installers yous tin download. Nonetheless, it doesn't always work that way. The purchased department lists only those operating systems that you had downloaded in the by. But hither is the path to check it:

  1. Click the App Store icon.
  2. Click Purchases in the top bill of fare.
  3. Curl down to find the preferred Bone X version.
  4. Click Download.

This method allows y'all to download Mavericks and Yosemite past logging with your Apple ID — only if you lot previously downloaded them from the Mac App Store.

Without App Store: Download Mac OS version every bit Apple Programmer

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

Still, keep in mind that if you visit developer.apple tree.com/downloads, y'all can merely discover 10.3-10.6 OS 10 operating systems in that location. Newer versions are not available because starting Mac Os X Snow Leopard 10.7, the App Store has become the only source of updating Apple OS versions.

Purchase an older version of Mac operating system

Apple OS Versions

You can purchase a boxed or electronic mail version of past Mac Bone 10 directly from Apple tree. Both will cost you around $twenty. For the reason of existence rather antiquated, Snow Leopard and earlier Apple versions tin can just be installed from DVD.

Buy a boxed edition of Snowfall Leopard x.6
Get an electronic mail copy of King of beasts ten.7
Become an email copy of Mount Lion ten.8

The email edition comes with a special download code you lot tin can use for the Mac App Store. Notation, that to install the Lion or Mountain Lion, your Mac needs to be running Snow Leopard so you tin can install the newer Os on peak of it.

How to get macOS El Capitan download

If you are wondering if you tin run El Capitan on an older Mac, rejoice as it's possible too. Only before your Mac tin run El Capitan it has to exist updated to Bone X ten.6.8. And so, hither are main steps you should take:

1. Install Snow Leopard from install DVD.
2. Update to ten.half dozen.eight using Software Update.
iii. Download El Capitan here.

"I can't download an sometime version of Mac Os 10"

If you have a newer Mac, there is no physical choice to install Mac Bone 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 simply practise not include hardware drivers for your Mac.

Mac os x download

But as it ofttimes happens, workarounds are possible. There is all the same a gamble to download the installation file if you have an access to a Mac (or virtual machine) running that operating organisation. For instance, to get an installer for Lion, you may enquire a friend who has Lion-operated Mac or, once once again, set a virtual machine running Lion. So y'all will need to prepare an external bulldoze to download the installation file using OS 10 Utilities.

After you've completed the download, the installer should launch automatically, but you can click Cancel and copy the file you need. Below is the detailed instruction how to exercise it.

Pace 3. Install older Bone X onto an external drive

The post-obit method allows you to download Mac OS X Lion, Mountain Lion, and Mavericks.

  1. Outset your Mac belongings down Control + R.
  2. Prepare a clean external drive (at least 10 GB of storage).
  3. Within OS 10 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 bulldoze. Afterwards the download is complete, your Mac will prompt y'all to practise a restart, simply at this point, y'all should completely shut it down. Now that the installation file is "captured" onto your external bulldoze, you tin reinstall the OS, this fourth dimension running the file on your Mac.

  1. Kick your Mac from your standard bulldoze.
  2. Connect the external drive.
  3. Go to external bulldoze > OS X Install Information.

Locate InstallESD.dmg deejay prototype file — this is the file you demand to reinstall Lion OS Ten. The same steps are valid for Mountain Lion and Mavericks.

How to downgrade a Mac running afterwards macOS versions

If your Mac runs macOS Sierra 10.12 or macOS Loftier Sierra x.13, it is possible to revert it to the previous system if you are non satisfied with the experience. You can practice it either with Time Machine or by creating a bootable USB or external drive.

Instruction todowngrade from macOS Sierra

Educational activity todowngrade from macOS Loftier Sierra

Education todowngrade from macOS Mojave

Educational activity to downgrade from macOS Catalina

Before you practice it, the best communication is to dorsum your Mac upward so your most of import files stay intact. In addition to that, information technology makes sense to clean up your Mac from old system junk files and application leftovers. The easiest manner to do information technology is to run CleanMyMac X on your machine (download information technology for free hither).

Visit your local Apple tree Store to download older OS X version

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