There are a few reasons why you might desire to download and install quondam versions of macOS or Mac OS X. Perhaps you are relying on software yous accept discovered doesn't piece of work properly in the latest version. Or maybe you only don't similar the new version of macOS that you accept installed.

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

In this article we will cover how to become old versions of macOS including Big Sur, Catalina, Mojave, El Capitan, Sierra, Yosemite and even former versions of Mac Bone Ten. Nosotros explain how to get hold of the relevant installer files then that yous can install the software on your Mac.

We have a separate article that explains how to install erstwhile versions of macOS for when you get to that stage of the process.

If you are looking for a mode to revert to the previous version of macOS, we have a more specific article near downgrading from Monterey to Big Sur and other versions, although nosotros do embrace the method here too. We too have 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 lot 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 also look at that scenario separately).

Where tin can I download sometime macOS?

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

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

  • macOS Big Sur
  • macOS Catalina
  • macOS Mojave
  • macOS High Sierra
  • macOS Sierra
  • Os X El Capitan
  • OS X Yosemite
  • OS Ten Mavericks
  • OS Ten Mountain Lion
  • Bone X Lion

*Note that we have discovered that the links we requite below will only work if you are surfing in Safari, and then nosotros propose you switch to Apple's browser earlier moving on. You lot should also shut the Mac App Store app if yous have that open up or the link may non work*

You won't be able to go the Mac OS Ten Snow Leopard download this way, but we'll expect at that afterwards. In fact, we tell y'all how to get copies of Leopard, Panthera leo and Mountain King of beasts as well!

We have a list of which Macs run which versions of macOS & Mac Bone X.

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 detect it - searching the Mac App Store will not work.

  • Click on this link which to open the Mac App Store on the Big Sur page. (Use Safari and make certain the Mac App Store app is closed first or it might not piece of 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 up the Mac App Shop on the Big Sur page.
  2. Click on Get.
  3. Software Update volition open with the words "Finding Update". Eventually a message "Are y'all certain you want to download macOS Big Sur" will appear. Information technology might expect like an update rather than the full version, simply you lot'll see from the size of the download (around 6GB) that this is the complete installer for Big Sur.
  4. Once the installer has downloaded do non click Install. If you install information technology the installer will automatically be deleted.
  5. You lot should be able to find the Install macOS Big Sur app in your Applications binder, you'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 Catalina

You tin also download the installer for Catalina from the Mac App Store - as long equally you know the magic link.

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

Catalina Mac App Store

As to a higher place, follow these steps to download Catalina (or any other version of macOS) from the Mac App Store:

  1. Click this link to open the Mac App Shop on the Catalina page.
  2. Click on Get.
  3. Software Update volition open with the words "Finding Update". Eventually a bulletin "Are yous sure you want to download macOS Catalina" will announced. Information technology might look like an update rather than the full version, just you'll run into 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 do not click Install. If yous install it the installer will automatically exist deleted.
  5. You should be able to notice the Install macOS Catalina app in your Applications folder, you'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 Mojave

It is too possible to access the Mojave installer via this link to the Mac App Store. Note that as above, for this link to work yous demand to be running Safari and you need to close the Mac App Store app first. If the Mac App Store app is open up this redirect volition not work.

  • Click on this link to open the Mac App Shop on the Mojave page.

Follow the steps in the section above to download information technology.

Download Mojave

How to download High Sierra

It is likewise possible to download High Sierra via this link. (Use Safari, close the Mac App Shop app start).

Follow the steps in the department higher up to download Loftier Sierra.

How to download Sierra, El Capitan or Yosemite

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

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

We've said to a higher place that in our feel usually the reason the higher up links don't work is if you are browsing in something other than Safari, or if y'all have already got the Mac App Store open. All the same, if you are still finding that the link isn't working you could try the alternative methods beneath.

Another issue is if the link takes you lot to the right page in the Mac App Store, simply you see an Update non plant error message when you attempt to download it. This is an issue we are aware of that others accept encountered, although nosotros oasis't. In that case nosotros propose you attempt to download the installer via that link using an older Mac.

Yous may too encounter issues if yous are trying to download an older version of macOS that your Mac cannot support. Usually when Apple introduces a new Mac it volition not exist able to run the version of macOS that shipped earlier the ane installed on that Mac. The older macOS might non back up certain components in that Mac, for example.

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

Other ways to get one-time macOS versions

If y'all 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 Bone X in the Mac App Store. How easy they are to detect will 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 found via the Purchased tab (not that anyone has had to pay for a Mac Bone X update for years).

However, when Apple introduced Mojave the Mac App Shop changed, and these installers can no longer be searched for or found in the purchased department of the store. (Although we do accept redirect links in the section to a higher place to each of the relevant pages on the Mac App Store.)

If you happen to have access to a Mac that's running an older version of macOS, log into the Mac App Shop with your password and download the Mojave installer on that Mac. Alternatively ask a friend to download a copy of the installer from the Mac App Shop for you. We run through this method in the section below.

Every bit in a higher place, once the installer has downloaded don't install it! If y'all do then the installer will be deleted. You'll discover the installer in your Applications folder from which you lot can copy on to your Mac - or create a bootable installer.

We've heard that information technology may exist possible to download the installer via Terminal, yet we were unable to get that method to work.

You may also observe updates to old version of macOS on Apple'due south website here, however these are just point updates, rather than the full version, and so it won't be much help if you are trying to get the full download.

The one thing you really mustn't do is go to a torrent site and download a re-create of the OS X you want. Just because Apple gives abroad its software for free, don't call up it'due south fine to just pick up a copy. Pirated copies of Apple software could accept been adapted to allow hackers access to the software and your Mac.

Download Mac Bone X

If you accept access to a Mac running OS X Yosemite or older it is possible to see old versions of Mac OS X in the Mac App Shop. Yosemite, Mavericks and Mountain Lion can all be seen here.

Information technology's worth noting that you'll only encounter old versions of Mac Os 10 that you've downloaded under Purchased - if you lot never downloaded it (or if it was never on the Mac App Store), that version volition not be in your Purchased section. Another reason why the version of Mac OS X might be missing is if your machine shipped with that version installed. We'll expect at that scenario later.

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

  1. Open the Mac App Store (choose Shop > Sign In if you demand to log in).
  2. Click Purchased.
  3. Scroll downwards to detect the copy of OS X or macOS y'all want.
  4. Click Install.

Clicking Install won't actually install the software, merely it volition download the installer application to your Applications folder.

You won't be able to simply install this older version of the operating system directly onto a Mac running a newer version of OS Ten or macOS. We will explain how it can be installed on a Mac - including one currently running an before operating system here: How to install former Mac Os 10 versions.

Can't find Mac OS X in Purchased?

If you know you lot accept previously downloaded the version of macOS you lot are after, but you aren't seeing it in the Purchased section, there are a few things to endeavour:

  1. Log out of the App Store then log in once again.
  2. If information technology's a possibility that y'all downloaded it while logged in to a dissimilar Apple tree ID (peradventure a piece of work-related ane), 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 yous.

If you never downloaded the version of Mac Os X and so leap to step iii and find a friendly person who did. Inquire them to download the Mac Os X installer for y'all.

Luckily the copy of OS X isn't locked to their account so it will install on any Mac.

How to go Bone X Panthera leo, Mountain Lion

Prior to June 2021 you could purchase OS X ten.7 King of beasts or Mountain Lion from Apple for £nineteen.99 each - Apple would transport yous a download code. Now Apple has stopped charging for the ageing operating organization versions. Instead you lot can download the operating systems direct from the visitor's website.

The operating systems can be downloaded from the following links:

If it's Mac OS X ten.seven Lion that you lot are after, it's yet bachelor for £19.99 here U.s. or here Great britain. Apple tree will transport you a download code to use on the Mac App Store, and then you will need to be running Snow Leopard to install it.

If it'southward Os X x.8 Mountain Panthera leo that you can still buy it for £nineteen.99 here US or here U.k..

We take more information well-nigh getting the costless installers for OS X Lion and Mountain King of beasts from Apple in Apple offers costless downloads of Os X Lion and Mount Lion.

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

How to get OS X Snowfall Leopard

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

Until 2021 Apple nonetheless sold a boxed version of Mac Bone X x.half dozen Snow Leopard hither for £19.99 (at its launch in 2009 it cost £25). If yous purchased Snowfall Leopard this mode you were sent a concrete box containing an optical disc - so y'all volition need a CD/DVD drive to install it (which you lot will probably have if the Mac is that former).

Apple has at present removed the power to buy Snow Leopard. However, this isn't a big problem because those people who were previously locked out of updates can now download the Lion or Mountain Lion update, as explained above.

Get Snow Leopard

How to get OS X Leopard or earlier

If the old version of the Bone you lot are afterwards predates Snowfall Leopard and you lot have a developer account yous might be able to get it from developer.apple.com/downloads. If you search within the OS X category you should come across downloads for all versions of OS X, at least from version 10.3 to 10.6.

You may be able to access the Developer section of the website, but you lot will only be able to access certain software downloads if your Apple ID is associated with a paid Apple Developer Program.

If you haven't signed upwardly as a Apple Developer, find out what that entails here. It costs £79 ($99) a year to join the Apple Programmer Program and you have to sign a non disclosure agreement.

You lot could also try looking on Amazon or eBay to see if anyone is selling former versions of the Mac operating system. For example there's a Full Install of Os X Lion bachelor for £eight.fifty on Amazon hither.

If it'southward Tiger you are after, then it volition toll a niggling more. There was a re-create of Tiger on Amazon for £89.99 but information technology's currently unavailable.

How to download Mac OS X Mountain Lion, Snow Leopard and older Mac software