There are a few reasons why you might need to download and put in an erstwhile variation of macOS or Mac OS X. Perhaps you ’re bank on software you have discovered does n’t run right in the in vogue version . Perhaps your Mac has run slow ever since you updated . Or maybe you just do n’t wish the new version of macOS that you have install . Either way , you have question and we have answers .
In this clause , we will cover how to get one-time version of macOS , let in Sonoma , Ventura , Monterey , Big Sur , Catalina , Mojave , El Capitan , Sierra , Yosemite , and even older versions of Mac OS X. We explain how to get hold of the relevant installer file cabinet so that you’re able to set up the software on your Mac .
Just take note : if you were hoping to run Catalina , Mojave , or a version of macOS older than Big Sur on an M1 or later Mac , that ’s not possible .
If you are looking for a way to go back to the premature variation of macOS , we have an clause aboutreverting a macOS update .
You also might desire to get the installer for a version of macOS to make a bootable installer forinstalling macOS on multiple Macs . We have a separate clause that explainshow to downgrade macOSwhen you get to that stage of the process .
Where to get older versions of macOS
Before you could establish an older version of macOS or Mac OS X you will need to get hold of the installer for the translation of macOS you want to install . as luck would have it it is possible to get ahold of these files , as long as you know where to go on the Mac App Store . If you ’re shy of your Mac ’s compatibility , check out our list ofwhich Macs operate which versions of macOS & Mac OS X.
It is potential to download older versions of macOS from the Mac App Store . snap on the link to download the installers for the keep an eye on macOS variation :
- Note that we have find out that the links we give below will only process if you are using Safari , so we advise you switch to Apple ’s browser app before moving on . You should also shut the Mac App Store app if you have that undecided or the link may not work out *
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Older versions of macOS are n’t uncommitted on the Mac App Store , but Apple does provide dmg files of them . You need to download them in Safari . A disc image named InstallOS.dmg will download and once it does you need to locate the pkg installer inside the saucer persona .
We discourse this process in more item below .
How to download an older version of macOS for an M-Series Mac
Apple begin transitioning away from Apple silicon with the release of macOS Big Sur in 2020 , so any variation of macOS before that wo n’t range on an M1 Mac or after .
If you have a M1 or later Mac you will see a message that your Mac is not compatible with versions of macOS that predate Apple ’s move to its own silicon . All adaptation of macOS prior to Big Sur involve an Intel Mac .
How to download macOS Sonoma, Ventura, Monterey, Big Sur, Catalina, Mojave and High Sierra
How to download Sierra, El Capitan, Yosemite, Mountain Lion and Lion
Apple provides dmg files of these honest-to-god macOS edition , but you want to download them using Safari . A platter mental image named InstallOS.dmg will download and once it does you need to turn up the pkg installer inside the saucer epitome .
Prior to June 2021 , you could purchase OS ecstasy 10.7 Lion or Mountain Lion from Apple for $ 19.99/£19.99 each – Apple would send you a download codification . Now Apple has check charge for the aging operating system of rules versions . Instead , you candownload the operating system directlyfrom the company along with these other variation .
We see a warning about the connecter not being private when examine to download these , this message is appear because it ’s not an https connexion , in all likelihood because these files antecede that standard , but do exercise carefulness here . The links come fromthisApple page so should be secure .
How to get Mac OS X Server
Apple cease macOS Server in April 2022 . The last variation was macOS Server 12 Monterey ( version 5.12 ) . Apple has published asupport documentin which is explains that despite being discontinued “ Existing macOS Server customer can go on to download and use the app with macOS Monterey . ”
macOS Server 12 , 5.12 was uncommitted on the Mac App Storehere , but Apple removed it . If you have previously download it you may be able to get it again .
Mac OS X server 3.2.2 is list on the Mac App Storehere . It cost $ 19.99/£19.99 .
What to do if the Mac App Store links above aren’t working
We ’ve said above that in our experience commonly the reason the above nexus do n’t work is if you are browsing in something other than Safari , or if you have already catch the Mac App Store open . However , if you are still observe that the link is n’t forge you could examine the alternative methods below .
Another issue is if the linkup take you to the correct page in the Mac App Store , but you see an Update not found erroneous belief message when you endeavor to download it . This is an effect we are aware of that others have encounter , although we have n’t . In that case , we suggest you attempt to download the installer via that link using an old Mac .
You may also take on issues if you are endeavor to download an older variation of macOS that your Mac can not support . Usually , when Apple introduces a Modern Mac it will not be able-bodied to launch the edition of macOS that shipped before the one establish on that Mac . The sometime macOS might not support sure element in that Mac , for instance .
Other ways to get older macOS versions
If you are running an sr. translation of macOS – or someone you hump is – you should be able to easily witness older versions of macOS and even Mac OS X in the Mac App Store . How easy they are to encounter will be determined by the adaptation of macOS operate on that Mac .
Prior to macOS Mojave ’s reaching in 2018 , the installers for the older macOS versions could be search for or found via the Purchased tab ( not that anyone has had to give for a Mac OS X update for years ) .
However , when Apple introduce Mojave the Mac App Store changed , and these installers can no longer be searched for or found in the purchase section of the store . ( Although we do have redirect links in the division above to each of the relevant pages on the Mac App Store . )
If you bechance to have access to a Mac that ’s running an onetime interpretation of macOS , log into the Mac App Store with your word and download the Mojave installer on that Mac . Alternatively , necessitate a friend to download a copy of the installer from the Mac App Store for you . Once the installer has downloaded do n’t instal it ! If you do the installer will be blue-pencil . You ’ll find the installer in your Applications folder from which you’re able to copy it onto your Mac orcreate a bootable installer .
You may also find update to an honest-to-god version of macOSon Apple ’s internet site . However these are just spot updates , rather than the full interlingual rendition , so it wo n’t be much help if you are trying to get the full download .
The one thing you really must n’t do is go to a torrent site and download a copy of the macOS you want . Just because Apple gives aside its software for free , do n’t intend it ’s fine to just pick up a copy . Pirated copy of Apple software could have been adjusted to provide cyberpunk access to the software and your Mac .
How to get OS X Snow Leopard
If your Mac has a version of macOS set up that is old than Snow Leopard you wo n’t have access to the Mac App Store . For a number of years after Snow Leopard go far all versions of Mac OS X arrived via the Mac App Store , those who never installed Snow Leopard had a problem : without Snow Leopard , they could n’t update .
Until 2021 Apple still sold a boxed in version of Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard for$19.99/£19.99(at its launching in 2009 it be $ 25/£25 ) . If you buy Snow Leopard this manner you were sent a strong-arm box containing an optical disc – so you will need a CD / videodisk drive to install it ( which you will in all likelihood have if the Mac is that honest-to-god ) .
Apple has now removed the ability to buy Snow Leopard . However , this is n’t a adult problem because those people who were previously locked out of updates can now download the Lion or Mountain Lion update via the links ply above .
How to get OS X Leopard or earlier
If the honest-to-goodness version of the OS you are after predates Snow Leopard and you have a developer history you might be able to get it fromdeveloper.apple.com/downloads . If you search within the OS hug drug category you should see downloads for all versions of OS X , at least from version 10.3 to 10.6 .
You may be capable to get to the Developer plane section of the website , but you will only be able to access sure package download if your Apple ID is associated with a paid Apple Developer Program . It cost $ 99/£79 a year to connect the Apple Developer Program and you have to sign a nondisclosure agreement .
You could also try out await on Amazon or eBay to see if anyone is selling old versions of the Mac operating organisation or perhaps a Mac running one .
