So, you've decided to download an older version of Mac Os 10. There are many reasons that could bespeak y'all to this radical conclusion. To begin with, some of your apps may not be working properly (or simply crash) on newer operating systems. Also, you may take noticed your Mac's performance went downwardly right later the concluding update. Finally, if you desire to run a parallel re-create of Mac OS X on a virtual machine, you lot likewise will need a working installation file of an older Mac Os 10. Farther down nosotros'll explain where to get one and what bug yous may face down the road.

A list of all Mac Os X versions

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

Cheetah 10.0 Puma ten.1 Jaguar 10.2
Panther 10.three Tiger 10.iv Leopard 10.5
Snowfall Leopard 10.6 Panthera leo 10.7 Mount Lion 10.8
Mavericks 10.ix Yosemite 10.x El Capitan ten.11
Sierra ten.12 Loftier Sierra ten.13 Mojave 10.14
Catalina 10.15

STEP ane. Fix your Mac for installation

Given your Mac isn't new and is filled with information, you will probably need enough free infinite on your Mac. This includes not just space for the Os itself simply as well infinite for other applications and your user data. Ane more argument is that the gratis space on your disk translates into virtual memory then your apps accept "fuel" to operate on. The chart below tells you how much free infinite is needed.

Note, that it is recommended that you install Bone on a make clean drive. Next, you will need enough disk infinite bachelor, for example, to create Recovery Division. Here are some ideas to free up space on your drive:

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

Become to Finder > All My Files > Arrange past size

And then you lot can motion your space hoggers onto an external bulldoze or a deject storage.

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

CleanMyMac X - Smart Scan complete

Download CleanMyMacfor OS 10.iv - 10.8 (complimentary version)

Download CleanMyMac for OS 10.9 (free version)

Download CleanMyMacfor OS ten.10 - 10.14 (complimentary version)

Step ii. Get a re-create of Mac Os X download

Normally, it is assumed that updating Os is a 1-way road. That's why going dorsum to a past Apple Os version is problematic. The main challenge is to download the OS installation file itself, considering your Mac may already exist running a newer version. If yous succeed in downloading the Bone installation, your next step is to create a bootable USB or DVD and and then reinstall the OS on your figurer.

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

Mac operating system download


If you once had purchased an old version of Mac Bone X from the App Store, open it and go to the Purchased tab. There yous'll notice all the installers you can download. Notwithstanding, information technology doesn't ever work that fashion. The purchased section lists just those operating systems that yous had downloaded in the past. Only hither is the path to check information technology:

  1. Click the App Shop icon.
  2. Click Purchases in the top bill of fare.
  3. Scroll downward to find the preferred Os Ten version.
  4. Click Download.

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

Without App Store: Download Mac Os version as Apple Programmer

If you are signed with an Apple Programmer account, you tin can get access to products that are no longer listed on the App Store. If you desperately need a lower Bone X 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, keep in mind that if yous visit programmer.apple tree.com/downloads, yous tin can merely discover 10.three-10.half dozen Bone Ten operating systems in that location. Newer versions are not available because starting Mac OS X Snow Leopard 10.7, the App Shop has become the but source of updating Apple tree OS versions.

Purchase an older version of Mac operating system

Apple OS Versions

Yous can purchase a boxed or email version of past Mac Bone Ten straight from Apple. Both will price you around $20. For the reason of being rather blowsy, Snow Leopard and earlier Apple versions tin can only be installed from DVD.

Buy a boxed edition of Snow Leopard x.6
Get an e-mail copy of Lion ten.vii
Get an email re-create of Mount Lion ten.8

The email edition comes with a special download code y'all can utilise for the Mac App Store. Note, that to install the Lion or Mountain King of beasts, your Mac needs to exist running Snow Leopard so you tin can install the newer Bone on tiptop of information technology.

How to get macOS El Capitan download

If y'all are wondering if you tin can run El Capitan on an older Mac, rejoice every bit it's possible likewise. Just earlier your Mac can run El Capitan it has to be updated to Bone Ten 10.six.8. Then, hither are main steps yous should have:

i. Install Snow Leopard from install DVD.
two. Update to 10.6.viii using Software Update.
3. Download El Capitan here.

"I can't download an old version of Mac OS 10"

If you have a newer Mac, there is no concrete selection to install Mac OS versions older than your electric current Mac model. For example, if your MacBook was released in 2014, don't await it to run any OS released prior of that fourth dimension, because older Apple Os versions simply practise not include hardware drivers for your Mac.

Mac os x download

Only as information technology often happens, workarounds are possible. At that place is still a take chances to download the installation file if you have an access to a Mac (or virtual motorcar) running that operating organisation. For example, to get an installer for Lion, you may ask a friend who has Lion-operated Mac or, once once again, set up a virtual machine running King of beasts. Then yous volition need to set up an external drive to download the installation file using OS X Utilities.

Subsequently yous've completed the download, the installer should launch automatically, just you can click Cancel and copy the file y'all demand. Below is the detailed teaching how to do information technology.

Step three. Install older OS X onto an external drive

The following method allows you to download Mac Os X Lion, Mount Panthera leo, and Mavericks.

  1. Offset your Mac holding down Command + R.
  2. Prepare a clean external drive (at least 10 GB of storage).
  3. Within Os Ten Utilities, choose Reinstall OS X.
  4. Select external drive every bit 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 practice a restart, but at this point, yous should completely shut it down. At present that the installation file is "captured" onto your external drive, yous can reinstall the OS, this time running the file on your Mac.

  1. Boot your Mac from your standard drive.
  2. Connect the external bulldoze.
  3. Get to external drive > OS X Install Data.

Locate InstallESD.dmg disk image file — this is the file you lot need to reinstall Lion Bone X. The same steps are valid for Mountain Lion and Mavericks.

How to downgrade a Mac running after macOS versions

If your Mac runs macOS Sierra 10.12 or macOS High Sierra 10.13, information technology is possible to revert it to the previous organization if y'all are not satisfied with the experience. You lot can do information technology either with Fourth dimension Auto or by creating a bootable USB or external drive.

Instruction todowngrade from macOS Sierra

Instruction todowngrade from macOS Loftier Sierra

Didactics todowngrade from macOS Mojave

Educational activity to downgrade from macOS Catalina

Before yous do it, the best advice is to back your Mac upwardly so your almost important files stay intact. In addition to that, it makes sense to clean up your Mac from old system junk files and application leftovers. The easiest way to do it is to run CleanMyMac X on your machine (download it for free here).

Visit your local Apple Shop 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 accept image installations going back to OS Leopard and earlier. Yous tin can likewise ask their help to create a bootable USB drive with the installation file. And then here you are. We hope this commodity has helped you lot to download an one-time version of Mac OS X. Beneath are a few more links you lot may find interesting.