So, y'all'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 brainstorm 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 performance went down right after the last update. Finally, if yous want to run a parallel copy of Mac Bone X on a virtual machine, you lot too will need a working installation file of an older Mac Os X. Farther downwards we'll explain where to get one and what problems you may face down the road.

A listing of all Mac Os 10 versions

We'll be repeatedly referring to these Apple Os versions below, so information technology's good to know the basic macOS timeline.

Cheetah ten.0 Puma 10.ane Jaguar x.2
Panther 10.iii Tiger 10.four Leopard 10.5
Snow Leopard 10.6 Lion 10.seven Mountain Panthera leo ten.8
Mavericks 10.ix Yosemite x.10 El Capitan x.11
Sierra 10.12 Loftier Sierra 10.13 Mojave 10.fourteen
Catalina 10.15

Pace 1. Prepare 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 simply space for the Bone itself just also space for other applications and your user information. Ane more than statement is that the free space on your disk translates into virtual retentiveness so your apps have "fuel" to operate on. The chart below tells you lot how much costless space is needed.

Annotation, that it is recommended that you install OS on a make clean drive. Next, y'all volition need plenty disk space available, for example, to create Recovery Partition. Hither are some ideas to free upwardly infinite on your drive:

  • 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 space hoggers onto an external drive or a deject storage.

If yous aren't comfortable with cleaning the Mac manually, in that location are some overnice automatic "room cleaners". Our favorite is CleanMyMac equally it's virtually simple to utilise of all. It deletes system junk, old cleaved apps, and the residuum of hidden junk on your bulldoze.

CleanMyMac X - Smart Scan complete

Download CleanMyMac for Bone x.4 - 10.viii (free version)

Download CleanMyMac for OS 10.9 (free version)

Download CleanMyMac for Os 10.x - 10.14 (complimentary version)

Step 2. Get a re-create of Mac OS Ten download

Normally, information technology is assumed that updating Bone is a one-mode road. That's why going back to a past 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 you succeed in downloading the OS installation, your next step is to create a bootable USB or DVD and then reinstall the Os on your computer.

How to download older Mac Bone X versions via the App Shop

Mac operating system download


If y'all once had purchased an former version of Mac Os X from the App Store, open up it and go to the Purchased tab. There you'll find all the installers you tin download. Notwithstanding, it doesn't e'er piece of work that manner. The purchased department lists only those operating systems that you had downloaded in the past. But here is the path to check it:

  1. Click the App Store icon.
  2. Click Purchases in the peak menu.
  3. Whorl down to find the preferred OS 10 version.
  4. Click Download.

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

Without App Store: Download Mac OS version equally Apple Developer

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

Nevertheless, proceed in mind that if you visit developer.apple.com/downloads, you lot can only find 10.3-10.half dozen OS X operating systems in that location. Newer versions are not bachelor because starting Mac OS X Snow Leopard 10.7, the App Store has become the but source of updating Apple Bone versions.

Buy an older version of Mac operating organization

Apple OS Versions

Yous tin can purchase a boxed or email version of by Mac OS X straight from Apple. Both volition toll you lot around $twenty. For the reason of being rather blowsy, Snowfall Leopard and earlier Apple versions can just be installed from DVD.

Purchase a boxed edition of Snow Leopard 10.vi
Get an email copy of Lion x.7
Get an email re-create of Mountain Lion ten.eight

The email edition comes with a special download code you can employ for the Mac App Store. Notation, that to install the Lion or Mountain King of beasts, your Mac needs to be running Snow Leopard so you can install the newer OS on summit of it.

How to get macOS El Capitan download

If you are wondering if yous can run El Capitan on an older Mac, rejoice as information technology'due south possible likewise. Just before your Mac can run El Capitan it has to be updated to Os X ten.6.8. And so, here are main steps you should take:

i. Install Snow Leopard from install DVD.
ii. Update to 10.half-dozen.8 using Software Update.
3. Download El Capitan here.

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

If you have a newer Mac, in that location is no concrete pick to install Mac OS versions older than your electric current Mac model. For instance, if your MacBook was released in 2022, don't look it to run whatever OS released prior of that time, because older Apple tree OS versions merely do not include hardware drivers for your Mac.

Mac os x download

Simply as it often happens, workarounds are possible. There is yet a chance to download the installation file if y'all have an access to a Mac (or virtual auto) running that operating system. For example, to get an installer for Lion, yous may ask a friend who has Lion-operated Mac or, once more, fix a virtual machine running King of beasts. Then you will need to gear up an external drive to download the installation file using Os 10 Utilities.

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

STEP 3. Install older OS X onto an external drive

The following method allows y'all to download Mac OS X Lion, Mountain King of beasts, and Mavericks.

  1. Start your Mac holding downward Command + R.
  2. Gear up a clean external bulldoze (at least 10 GB of storage).
  3. Within OS 10 Utilities, choose Reinstall Os Ten.
  4. Select external bulldoze equally a source.
  5. Enter your Apple ID.
How to download old Mac OS X versions

At present the Bone should start downloading automatically onto the external drive. Subsequently the download is complete, your Mac will prompt you to practise a restart, but at this indicate, y'all should completely shut information technology downward. Now that the installation file is "captured" onto your external drive, y'all tin can reinstall the OS, this time running the file on your Mac.

  1. Boot your Mac from your standard drive.
  2. Connect the external drive.
  3. Become to external drive > Os Ten Install Data.

Locate InstallESD.dmg disk image file — this is the file you need to reinstall Panthera leo Bone 10. The aforementioned steps are valid for Mount Lion and Mavericks.

How to downgrade a Mac running later 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 organisation if you are not satisfied with the feel. You can practise information technology either with Time Car or by creating a bootable USB or external drive.

Instruction to downgrade from macOS Sierra

Instruction to downgrade from macOS Loftier Sierra

Instruction to downgrade from macOS Mojave

Instruction to downgrade from macOS Catalina

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

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

If none of the options to become older Os X worked, pay a visit to nearest local Apple Store. They should accept epitome installations going dorsum to OS Leopard and earlier. Yous can also ask their assistance to create a bootable USB drive with the installation file. Then here you are. We hope this article has helped you to download an old version of Mac Bone X. Below are a few more links you may observe interesting.