So, you've decided to download an older version of Mac Os X. In that location are many reasons that could point you to this radical decision. To begin with, some of your apps may non be working properly (or merely crash) on newer operating systems. Also, you may accept noticed your Mac's operation went downwards right later on the last update. Finally, if you desire to run a parallel copy of Mac Os Ten on a virtual machine, you besides will demand a working installation file of an older Mac OS X. Farther downward we'll explain where to become one and what problems you may face down the road.

A list of all Mac OS X versions

We'll be repeatedly referring to these Apple OS versions beneath, so it's skilful to know the bones macOS timeline.

Cheetah 10.0 Puma 10.one Jaguar ten.ii
Panther x.iii Tiger 10.4 Leopard 10.5
Snowfall Leopard 10.vi Lion ten.7 Mountain Lion 10.8
Mavericks 10.9 Yosemite ten.10 El Capitan 10.11
Sierra x.12 High Sierra x.xiii Mojave x.xiv
Catalina 10.15

STEP 1. Set your Mac for installation

Given your Mac isn't new and is filled with data, y'all will probably need enough free space on your Mac. This includes not but space for the Os itself but likewise space for other applications and your user information. One more argument is that the free space on your deejay translates into virtual memory then your apps take "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 clean bulldoze. Next, you will demand enough disk infinite bachelor, for case, to create Recovery Division. Hither are some ideas to gratuitous upwards space on your drive:

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

Get to Finder > All My Files > Suit by size

Then you tin move your space hoggers onto an external bulldoze or a cloud storage.

If you aren't comfortable with cleaning the Mac manually, there are some nice automatic "room cleaners". Our favorite isCleanMyMac every bit it's near unproblematic to apply of all. It deletes system junk, former broken apps, and the rest of hidden junk on your bulldoze.

CleanMyMac X - Smart Scan complete

Download CleanMyMacfor Os 10.4 - ten.eight (free version)

Download CleanMyMac for Os ten.ix (free version)

Download CleanMyMacfor Bone 10.x - x.14 (costless version)

Footstep 2. Get a copy of Mac OS X download

Normally, it is assumed that updating OS is a 1-mode road. That's why going dorsum to a past Apple tree Os version is problematic. The main claiming is to download the Bone installation file itself, because your Mac may already be running a newer version. If you succeed in downloading the OS installation, your next step is to create a bootable USB or DVD and so reinstall the Bone on your computer.

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

Mac operating system download


If yous once had purchased an sometime version of Mac Os X from the App Store, open up it and go to the Purchased tab. There y'all'll find all the installers you can download. However, it doesn't ever work that mode. The purchased section lists only those operating systems that you had downloaded in the by. But hither is the path to check information technology:

  1. Click the App Store icon.
  2. Click Purchases in the tiptop menu.
  3. Scroll down to find the preferred Os Ten version.
  4. Click Download.

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

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

If you are signed with an Apple tree Developer business relationship, y'all can go access to products that are no longer listed on the App Shop. If you desperately demand a lower Bone 10 version build, consider creating a new Developer account amongst other options. The membership cost is $99/year and provides a bunch of perks unavailable to ordinary users.

Nevertheless, keep in mind that if you visit developer.apple.com/downloads, you can only find ten.3-x.vi OS 10 operating systems there. Newer versions are not available considering starting Mac Bone X Snowfall Leopard ten.7, the App Store has become the only source of updating Apple OS versions.

Purchase an older version of Mac operating organisation

Apple OS Versions

You can purchase a boxed or email version of past Mac Bone X directly from Apple. Both will cost you around $twenty. For the reason of being rather antiquated, Snowfall Leopard and earlier Apple versions tin can but exist installed from DVD.

Purchase a boxed edition of Snowfall Leopard x.half dozen
Get an email re-create of Lion 10.vii
Go an electronic mail copy of Mount Lion ten.8

The email edition comes with a special download code you can use for the Mac App Store. Note, that to install the Panthera leo or Mount Panthera leo, your Mac needs to be running Snowfall Leopard so yous tin can install the newer OS on top of it.

How to get macOS El Capitan download

If you are wondering if you tin can run El Capitan on an older Mac, rejoice as it's possible as well. Just before your Mac can run El Capitan it has to exist updated to OS X 10.6.viii. So, here are main steps yous should take:

one. Install Snow Leopard from install DVD.
2. Update to 10.6.8 using Software Update.
3. Download El Capitan hither.

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

If yous have a newer Mac, there is no physical option to install Mac Bone versions older than your current Mac model. For example, if your MacBook was released in 2014, don't await information technology to run any OS released prior of that time, because older Apple Bone versions simply practise non include hardware drivers for your Mac.

Mac os x download

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

Subsequently you've completed the download, the installer should launch automatically, but you lot can click Cancel and copy the file you need. Beneath is the detailed pedagogy how to do information technology.

STEP 3. Install older OS X onto an external drive

The following method allows you lot to download Mac OS X Lion, Mountain Lion, and Mavericks.

  1. Starting time your Mac holding downwardly Command + R.
  2. Gear up a clean external drive (at to the lowest degree 10 GB of storage).
  3. Within OS 10 Utilities, cull Reinstall Os X.
  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 do a restart, only at this point, you should completely close it down. Now that the installation file is "captured" onto your external bulldoze, you can reinstall the OS, this time running the file on your Mac.

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

Locate InstallESD.dmg disk image file — this is the file you demand to reinstall Lion Bone 10. 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 High Sierra 10.13, it is possible to revert it to the previous system if you are not satisfied with the feel. Yous tin can do information technology either with Time Machine or by creating a bootable USB or external drive.

Teaching todowngrade from macOS Sierra

Pedagogy todowngrade from macOS High Sierra

Instruction todowngrade from macOS Mojave

Pedagogy to downgrade from macOS Catalina

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

Visit your local Apple tree Shop to download older Bone X version

If none of the options to get older OS Ten worked, pay a visit to nearest local Apple Store. They should have prototype installations going back to Bone Leopard and earlier. You tin can besides inquire their aid to create a bootable USB drive with the installation file. So here you are. We hope this article has helped yous to download an old version of Mac Bone Ten. Below are a few more links you may find interesting.