There are a number of explanation why you may wish to obtain and set up an previous model of macOS or Mac OS X. Maybe you’re counting on software program you could have found doesn’t work correctly within the newest model. Maybe your Mac has run slowly ever because you up to date. Or possibly you simply don’t like the brand new model of macOS that you’ve got put in. Both manner, you could have questions and we now have solutions.
On this article, we’ll cowl how one can get previous variations of macOS, together with Ventura, Monterey, Massive Sur, Catalina, Mojave, El Capitan, Sierra, Yosemite, and even previous variations of Mac OS X. We clarify how one can pay money for the related installer recordsdata in an effort to set up the software program in your Mac.
Simply notice: for those who had been hoping to run Catalina, Mojave, or a model of macOS older than Massive Sur on an M1 or later Mac, that’s not attainable.
If you’re on the lookout for a manner to return to the earlier model of macOS, we now have an article about reverting a macOS replace.
You additionally may 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 how one can downgrade macOS if you get to that stage of the method.
The place to become old variations of macOS
Earlier than you’ll be able to set up an older model of macOS or Mac OS X you will want 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 you recognize the place to go on the Mac App Retailer. Should you’re not sure 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:
*Notice that we now have found that the hyperlinks we give under will solely work in case you are utilizing Safari, so we advise you turn to Apple’s browser earlier than shifting on. You also needs to shut the Mac App Retailer app when you have that open or the hyperlink could not work*
Older verisons of macOS aren’t availbale on the Mac App Retailer, however Apple does present dmg recordsdata of them. It’s essential to obtain them in Safari. A disk picture named InstallOS.dmg will obtain and as soon as it does you should find the pkg installer contained in the disk picture.
We talk about this course of in additional element under.
Methods to obtain an older model of macOS for an M-Collection Mac
Apple started transitioning away from Apple silicon with the discharge of macOS Massive Sur in 2020, so any model of macOS earlier than that received’t run on an M1 Mac or later.
If in case you have a M1 or later Mac you will note a message that your Mac just isn’t appropriate with variations of macOS that predate Apple’s transfer to its personal silicon. All variations of macOS previous to Massive Sur require an Intel Mac.
Methods to obtain macOS Sonoma, Ventura, Monterey, Massive Sur, Catalina, Mojave and Excessive Sierra
You’ll be able to 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 have 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 “Discovering Replace”. Finally a message “Are you certain you wish to obtain macOS [name]” will seem. It would seem like an replace somewhat than the complete model, however you’ll see from the scale of the obtain (round 6GB) that that is the whole installer for macOS.
- As soon as the installer has downloaded don’t click on “Set up”. Should you do, the installer will routinely be deleted (plus it received’t set up in case you are already working one thing newer).
- It is best to be capable to discover the “Set up macOS [name]” app in your Functions folder, which you need to use to downgrade macOS to an older model (see our separate tutorial).
Methods to obtain Sierra, El Capitan, Yosemite, Mountain Lion and Lion
Apple offers dmg recordsdata of those older macOS variations, however you should obtain them utilizing Safari. A disk picture named InstallOS.dmg will obtain and as soon as it does you should find the pkg installer contained in the disk picture.
Previous to June 2021, you may 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 a substitute, you’ll be able to obtain the working techniques straight from the corporate together with these different variations.
We noticed a warning concerning the connection not being personal 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 must 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 explanation the above hyperlinks don’t work is in case you are searching in one thing aside from Safari, or if you already have the Mac App Retailer open. Nevertheless, in case you are nonetheless discovering that the hyperlink isn’t working you may attempt the choice strategies under.
One other situation 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 if 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 advise you attempt to obtain the installer through that hyperlink utilizing an older Mac.
You may additionally encounter points in case you are attempting to obtain an older model of macOS that your Mac can not help. 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 may not help sure parts in that Mac, for instance.
Different methods to become old macOS variations
If you’re working an older model of macOS – or somebody you recognize is – you must be capable to simply discover older variations of macOS and even Mac OS X within the Mac App Retailer. How straightforward they’re to search out can 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 could possibly be looked for or discovered through 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.)
Should you occur to have entry to a Mac that’s working an older model of macOS, log into the Mac App Retailer together with your password and obtain the Mojave installer on that Mac. Alternatively, ask a pal 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! Should you do the installer can be deleted. You’ll discover the installer in your Functions folder from which you’ll copy it onto your Mac or create a bootable installer.
You may additionally discover updates to an older model of macOS on Apple’s web site. Nevertheless these are simply level updates, somewhat than the complete model, so it received’t be a lot assist in case you are attempting to get the complete 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 offers away its software program totally free, don’t assume it’s high quality to simply choose up a replica. Pirated copies of Apple software program may have been adjusted to permit hackers entry to the software program and your Mac.
Methods to get OS X Snow Leopard
In case your Mac has a model of macOS put in that’s older than Snow Leopard you received’t have entry to the Mac App Retailer. For various years after Snow Leopard arrived all variations of Mac OS X arrived through 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 bought a boxed model of Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard for $19.99/£19.99 (at its launch in 2009 it value $25/£25). Should you bought Snow Leopard this fashion you had been despatched a bodily field containing an optical disc – so you will want 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 power to purchase Snow Leopard. Nevertheless, this isn’t a giant drawback as a result of these individuals who had been beforehand locked out of updates can now obtain the Lion or Mountain Lion replace through the hyperlinks offered above.
Methods to 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 may be capable to get it from
developer.apple.com/downloads. Should you search throughout the OS X class you must see downloads for all variations of OS X, not less than from model 10.3 to 10.6.
You could possibly entry the Developer part of the web site, however you’ll solely be capable to entry sure software program downloads in case your Apple ID is related to a paid Apple Developer Program. It prices $99/£79 a 12 months to hitch the Apple Developer Program and you must signal a nondisclosure settlement.
You would additionally attempt wanting on Amazon or eBay to see if anybody is promoting previous variations of the Mac working system or maybe a Mac working one.