There are just a few the explanation why you would possibly wish to obtain and set up an previous model of macOS or Mac OS X. Maybe you’re counting on software program you will have found doesn’t work correctly within the newest model. Maybe your Mac has run slowly ever because you up to date. Or perhaps you simply don’t like the brand new model of macOS that you’ve got put in. Both approach, you will have questions and we now have solutions.
On this article, we’ll cowl the right way to get previous variations of macOS, together with Ventura, Monterey, Huge Sur, Catalina, Mojave, El Capitan, Sierra, Yosemite, and even previous variations of Mac OS X. We clarify the right way to pay money for the related installer recordsdata so that you could set up the software program in your Mac.
Simply observe: when you had been hoping to run Catalina, Mojave, or a model of macOS older than Huge Sur on an M1 or later Mac, that’s not attainable.
In case you are searching for a approach to return to the earlier model of macOS, we now have an article about reverting a macOS replace.
You additionally would possibly wish to get the installer for a model of macOS to make a bootable installer for putting in macOS on a number of Macs. We have now a separate article that explains the right way to downgrade macOS while you get to that stage of the method.
The place to become older variations of macOS
Earlier than you may set up an older model of macOS or Mac OS X you’ll need to pay money for the installer for the model of macOS you wish to set up. Fortunately it’s attainable to get ahold of those recordsdata, so long as the place to go on the Mac App Retailer. In case you’re uncertain of your Mac’s compatibility, take a look at our record of which Macs run which variations of macOS & Mac OS X.
It’s attainable to obtain older variations of macOS from the Mac App Retailer. Click on on the hyperlinks to obtain the installers for the next macOS variations:
*Be aware that we now have found that the hyperlinks we give under will solely work if you’re utilizing Safari, so we recommend you turn to Apple’s browser earlier than transferring on. You also needs to shut the Mac App Retailer app when you’ve got that open or the hyperlink might not work*
Older verisons of macOS aren’t availbale on the Mac App Retailer, however Apple does present dmg recordsdata of them. You have to obtain them in Safari. A disk picture named InstallOS.dmg will obtain and as soon as it does you could find the pkg installer contained in the disk picture.
We talk about this course of in additional element under.
How one can obtain an older model of macOS for an M-Collection Mac
Apple started transitioning away from Apple silicon with the discharge of macOS Huge Sur in 2020, so any model of macOS earlier than that gained’t run on an M1 Mac or later.
You probably have a M1 or later Mac you will notice a message that your Mac will not be appropriate with variations of macOS that predate Apple’s transfer to its personal silicon. All variations of macOS previous to Huge Sur require an Intel Mac.
How one can obtain macOS Sonoma, Ventura, Monterey, Huge Sur, Catalina, Mojave and Excessive Sierra
You possibly can obtain the installers for a lot of variations of macOS from the Mac App Retailer. Observe these steps to obtain the model of macOS that you really want from the Mac App Retailer. Use Safari and shut the Mac App Retailer app when you’ve got that open earlier than you start.
- Observe the Mac App Retailer hyperlink above to the software program you require. Use Safari and the Mac App Retailer will open on the web page for the macOS model you require.
- Click on on Get.
- Software program Replace will open with the phrases “Finding Update”. Finally a message “Are you sure you want to download macOS [name]” will seem. It’d seem like an replace fairly than the total model, however you’ll see from the scale of the obtain (round 6GB) that that is the entire installer for macOS.
- As soon as the installer has downloaded don’t click on “Install”. In case you do, the installer will mechanically be deleted (plus it gained’t set up if you’re already working one thing newer).
- It’s best to have the ability to discover the “Install macOS [name]” app in your Functions folder, which you need to use to downgrade macOS to an older model (see our separate tutorial).
How one can obtain Sierra, El Capitan, Yosemite, Mountain Lion and Lion
Apple gives dmg recordsdata of those older macOS variations, however you could obtain them utilizing Safari. A disk picture named InstallOS.dmg will obtain and as soon as it does you could find the pkg installer contained in the disk picture.
Previous to June 2021, you can buy OS X 10.7 Lion or Mountain Lion from Apple for $19.99/£19.99 every – Apple would ship you a obtain code. Now Apple has stopped charging for the growing old working system variations. As an alternative, you may obtain the working programs instantly from the corporate together with these different variations.
We noticed a warning concerning the connection not being non-public when attempting to obtain these, this message is showing as a result of it’s not an https connection, most likely as a result of these recordsdata predate that customary, however do train warning right here. The hyperlinks come from this Apple web page so needs to be safe.
What to do if the Mac App Retailer hyperlinks above aren’t working
We’ve stated above that in our expertise often the rationale the above hyperlinks don’t work is if you’re searching in one thing aside from Safari, or if you already have the Mac App Retailer open. Nevertheless, if you’re nonetheless discovering that the hyperlink isn’t working you can strive the choice strategies under.
One other problem is that if the hyperlink takes you to the right web page within the Mac App Retailer, however you see an Replace not discovered error message while you attempt to obtain it. This is a matter we’re conscious of that others have encountered, though we haven’t. In that case, we recommend you attempt to obtain the installer by way of that hyperlink utilizing an older Mac.
You might also encounter points if you’re attempting to obtain an older model of macOS that your Mac can not assist. Often, when Apple introduces a brand new Mac it won’t be able to run the model of macOS that shipped earlier than the one put in on that Mac. The older macOS won’t assist sure parts in that Mac, for instance.
Different methods to become older macOS variations
In case you are working an older model of macOS – or somebody is – you must have the ability to simply discover older variations of macOS and even Mac OS X within the Mac App Retailer. How simple they’re to seek out will probably be decided by the model of macOS working on that Mac.
Previous to macOS Mojave’s arrival in 2018, the installers for the older macOS variations might be looked for or discovered by way of the Bought tab (not that anybody has needed to pay for a Mac OS X replace for years).
Nevertheless, when Apple launched Mojave the Mac App Retailer modified, and these installers can not be looked for or discovered within the bought part of the shop. (Though we do have redirect hyperlinks within the part above to every of the related pages on the Mac App Retailer.)
In case you occur to have entry to a Mac that’s working an older model of macOS, log into the Mac App Retailer along with your password and obtain the Mojave installer on that Mac. Alternatively, ask a good friend to obtain a replica of the installer from the Mac App Retailer for you. As soon as the installer has downloaded don’t set up it! In case you do the installer will probably be deleted. You’ll discover the installer in your Functions folder from which you’ll be able to copy it onto your Mac or create a bootable installer.
You might also discover updates to an older model of macOS on Apple’s web site. Nevertheless these are simply level updates, fairly than the total model, so it gained’t be a lot assist if you’re attempting to get the total obtain.
The one factor you actually mustn’t do is go to a torrent website and obtain a replica of the macOS you need. Simply because Apple provides away its software program without spending a dime, don’t assume it’s nice to simply decide up a replica. Pirated copies of Apple software program might have been adjusted to permit hackers entry to the software program and your Mac.
How one can get OS X Snow Leopard
In case your Mac has a model of macOS put in that’s older than Snow Leopard you gained’t have entry to the Mac App Retailer. For numerous years after Snow Leopard arrived all variations of Mac OS X arrived by way of the Mac App Retailer, those that by no means put in Snow Leopard had an issue: with out Snow Leopard, they couldn’t replace.
Till 2021 Apple nonetheless offered a boxed model of Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard for $19.99/£19.99 (at its launch in 2009 it price $25/£25). In case you bought Snow Leopard this fashion you had been despatched a bodily field containing an optical disc – so you’ll need a CD/DVD drive to put in it (which you’ll most likely have if the Mac is that previous).
Apple has now eliminated the flexibility to purchase Snow Leopard. Nevertheless, this isn’t a giant downside as a result of these individuals who had been beforehand locked out of updates can now obtain the Lion or Mountain Lion replace by way of the hyperlinks supplied above.
How one can get OS X Leopard or earlier
If the previous model of the OS you’re after predates Snow Leopard and you’ve got a developer account you would possibly have the ability to get it from
developer.apple.com/downloads. In case you search throughout the OS X class you must see downloads for all variations of OS X, a minimum of from model 10.3 to 10.6.
You might be able to entry the Developer part of the web site, however you’ll solely have the ability to entry sure software program downloads in case your Apple ID is related to a paid Apple Developer Program. It prices $99/£79 a yr to hitch the Apple Developer Program and it’s a must to signal a nondisclosure settlement.
You would additionally strive trying on Amazon or eBay to see if anybody is promoting previous variations of the Mac working system or maybe a Mac working one.