At that place are a few reasons why you might want to download and install onetime versions of macOS or Mac OS X. Perhaps you are relying on software you lot take discovered doesn't work properly in the latest version. Or maybe y'all just don't like the new version of macOS that you have installed.

Another scenario is that y'all are a developer and you lot need to be running multiple versions of macOS and Mac OS Ten so that you can exist sure that your software runs correctly on them. Either way, yous have questions and nosotros have answers.

In this article we will cover how to go sometime versions of macOS including Large Sur, Catalina, Mojave, El Capitan, Sierra, Yosemite and fifty-fifty old versions of Mac Os X. We explicate how to get concur of the relevant installer files and so that you can install the software on your Mac.

We have a separate commodity that explains how to install sometime versions of macOS for when you get to that phase of the process.

If yous are looking for a mode to revert to the previous version of macOS, we have a more specific article about downgrading from Monterey to Big Sur and other versions, although we do cover the method here besides. We also have a guide to downgrading from the macOS beta.

Still, if you were hoping to run older versions of macOS on M1 Macs that'south non possible.

You lot too might want to go the installer for a version of macOS in order to make a bootable installer for installing macOS on multiple Macs (we also wait at that scenario separately).

Where can I download sometime macOS?

Earlier you can install an older version of macOS or Mac Bone Ten you will need to get hold of the installer for the version of macOS yous want to install. Luckily it is possible to gets hold of these files - as long every bit you know where to become on the Mac App Store.

Nosotros have the necessary links to the Mac App Store beneath. Nosotros will show you a way to get the following macOS installers:

  • macOS Large Sur
  • macOS Catalina
  • macOS Mojave
  • macOS Loftier Sierra
  • macOS Sierra
  • OS X El Capitan
  • OS 10 Yosemite
  • OS X Mavericks
  • OS X Mountain Lion
  • Bone Ten Lion

*Note that we have discovered that the links we give below will merely work if you are surfing in Safari, so we propose you switch to Apple tree'southward browser earlier moving on. You should also close the Mac App Shop app if you accept that open or the link may not work*

You won't be able to become the Mac Bone 10 Snow Leopard download this manner, simply nosotros'll look at that later. In fact, we tell you how to get copies of Leopard, Lion and Mountain Panthera leo too!

We have a list of which Macs run which versions of macOS & Mac OS X.

How to download macOS Large Sur

You can download the installer for Big Sur from the Mac App Store - as long as you lot know where to find it - searching the Mac App Store will non work.

  • Click on this link which to open the Mac App Store on the Large Sur folio. (Use Safari and make sure the Mac App Store app is closed first or it might not work).

Follow these steps to download Large Sur (or whatever other version of macOS) from the Mac App Store:

  1. Click this link to open up the Mac App Shop on the Big Sur page.
  2. Click on Get.
  3. Software Update will open with the words "Finding Update". Eventually a message "Are y'all sure you want to download macOS Big Sur" volition appear. It might look like an update rather than the full version, but you'll see from the size of the download (around 6GB) that this is the complete installer for Large Sur.
  4. Once the installer has downloaded practice not click Install. If y'all install it the installer will automatically be deleted.
  5. Y'all should be able to detect the Install macOS Big Sur app in your Applications folder, y'all'll need this for the next steps, which we outline here: How to downgrade macOS, install an older version on your Mac.

How to download macOS Catalina

Y'all can also download the installer for Catalina from the Mac App Store - as long equally you know the magic link.

  • Click on this link which volition open up the Mac App Shop on the Catalina folio. (Use Safari and make sure the Mac App Shop app is closed start).

Catalina Mac App Store

As above, follow these steps to download Catalina (or any other version of macOS) from the Mac App Store:

  1. Click this link to open the Mac App Store on the Catalina page.
  2. Click on Get.
  3. Software Update will open with the words "Finding Update". Eventually a message "Are you sure you want to download macOS Catalina" volition appear. It might look like an update rather than the full version, only you'll see from the size of the download (around 6GB) that this is the complete installer for Catalina. Download Catalina
  4. Once the installer has downloaded do not click Install. If you lot install it the installer will automatically be deleted.
  5. You should be able to notice the Install macOS Catalina app in your Applications folder, you lot'll need this for the next steps, which nosotros outline hither: How to downgrade macOS, install an older version on your Mac.

How to download macOS Mojave

It is also possible to admission the Mojave installer via this link to the Mac App Store. Annotation that as above, for this link to work you demand to exist running Safari and you demand to shut the Mac App Shop app first. If the Mac App Store app is open up this redirect will not work.

  • Click on this link to open the Mac App Shop on the Mojave page.

Follow the steps in the department above to download information technology.

Download Mojave

How to download High Sierra

It is also possible to download High Sierra via this link. (Apply Safari, close the Mac App Store app offset).

Follow the steps in the section above to download High Sierra.

How to download Sierra, El Capitan or Yosemite

Apple provides dmg files of these older macOS versions - yous need to download them in Safari. A disk image named InstallOS.dmg volition download and once it does you demand to locate the pkg installer inside the disk image.

That Mac App Store link isn't working for me!

We've said above that in our feel normally the reason the above links don't piece of work is if you are browsing in something other than Safari, or if you accept already got the Mac App Store open. Nevertheless, if you are even so finding that the link isn't working yous could effort the alternative methods below.

Another issue is if the link takes you to the correct page in the Mac App Store, but you run into an Update not found mistake bulletin when y'all try to download it. This is an issue we are enlightened of that others have encountered, although we haven't. In that instance we propose you try to download the installer via that link using an older Mac.

You may also see issues if yous are trying to download an older version of macOS that your Mac cannot back up. Usually when Apple introduces a new Mac it will not be able to run the version of macOS that shipped before the one installed on that Mac. The older macOS might not back up certain components in that Mac, for instance.

Detect out more than about what version of macOS your Mac supports here: What version of macOS tin can my Mac run?

Other ways to go old macOS versions

If yous are running an older version of macOS - or someone you know is - you lot should be able to hands detect older versions of macOS and even Mac Bone X in the Mac App Shop. How like shooting fish in a barrel they are to detect will exist determined by the version of macOS running on that Mac.

Prior to macOS Mojave'south arrival in 2018 the installers for the older macOS versions could be searched for or institute via the Purchased tab (not that anyone has had to pay for a Mac OS X update for years).

However, when Apple introduced Mojave the Mac App Store inverse, and these installers can no longer be searched for or plant in the purchased section of the store. (Although we do have redirect links in the section above to each of the relevant pages on the Mac App Store.)

If you happen to have access to a Mac that'due south running an older version of macOS, log into the Mac App Store with your password and download the Mojave installer on that Mac. Alternatively enquire a friend to download a re-create of the installer from the Mac App Store for you. We run through this method in the section below.

As to a higher place, in one case the installer has downloaded don't install it! If you do then the installer will be deleted. Y'all'll find the installer in your Applications binder from which you lot can copy on to your Mac - or create a bootable installer.

We've heard that information technology may be possible to download the installer via Final, nonetheless we were unable to get that method to piece of work.

You may also find updates to old version of macOS on Apple's website here, nonetheless these are simply point updates, rather than the total version, so information technology won't be much help if y'all are trying to become the full download.

The one thing you really mustn't do is become to a torrent site and download a copy of the OS Ten you desire. Just because Apple gives away its software for free, don't retrieve it's fine to just selection up a copy. Pirated copies of Apple software could have been adjusted to allow hackers access to the software and your Mac.

Download Mac Bone X

If you have access to a Mac running OS X Yosemite or older it is possible to come across old versions of Mac Os X in the Mac App Store. Yosemite, Mavericks and Mountain Lion can all be seen here.

It'due south worth noting that you'll merely see erstwhile versions of Mac OS X that y'all've downloaded nether Purchased - if you never downloaded it (or if information technology was never on the Mac App Store), that version will non be in your Purchased department. Another reason why the version of Mac OS X might be missing is if your car shipped with that version installed. We'll look at that scenario subsequently.

Here is how to get an older version of Mac OS X from the Mac App Store (this only works if you've downloaded it in the by and it won't work if you have already installed Mojave or later):

  1. Open the Mac App Store (cull Store > Sign In if y'all need to log in).
  2. Click Purchased.
  3. Scroll down to find the copy of Bone X or macOS you want.
  4. Click Install.

Clicking Install won't actually install the software, just it will download the installer application to your Applications folder.

You won't be able to simply install this older version of the operating arrangement directly onto a Mac running a newer version of OS X or macOS. We will explicate how it can be installed on a Mac - including one currently running an before operating system hither: How to install old Mac OS 10 versions.

Can't detect Mac Os 10 in Purchased?

If you know you have previously downloaded the version of macOS yous are after, but you aren't seeing it in the Purchased section, there are a few things to effort:

  1. Log out of the App Store and then log in over again.
  2. If it'southward a possibility that you downloaded information technology while logged in to a different Apple ID (perchance a work-related one), log in using that ID.
  3. Alternatively, find someone who has downloaded that version of the Mac operating organisation and ask them to download the installation file for you.

If you lot never downloaded the version of Mac Os X and then leap to step 3 and find a friendly person who did. Enquire them to download the Mac OS 10 installer for yous.

Luckily the copy of OS X isn't locked to their account so it will install on any Mac.

How to get OS X Lion, Mountain Lion

Prior to June 2021 you could buy Os X 10.seven Lion or Mountain Panthera leo from Apple for £19.99 each - Apple would send yous a download code. Now Apple tree has stopped charging for the ageing operating organisation versions. Instead you lot can download the operating systems straight from the company'due south website.

The operating systems can be downloaded from the following links:

If it's Mac Os X 10.7 Lion that you are after, it's all the same bachelor for £19.99 here U.s.a. or here UK. Apple will send you a download code to utilize on the Mac App Store, so you volition need to be running Snow Leopard to install it.

If it's Os X x.8 Mountain Lion that y'all can still buy it for £nineteen.99 here US or here UK.

We have more information almost getting the costless installers for Os X Lion and Mount Panthera leo from Apple in Apple offers free downloads of OS X Lion and Mountain Panthera leo.

Whether your Mac will actually run these operating systems is some other question we accost here: Which versions of macOS can my Mac run? Note that just Macs that predate 2012 will run Lion.

How to get OS X Snow Leopard

If your Mac has a version of macOS installed that is older than Snowfall Leopard you won't have access to the Mac App Store. Since for a number of years later on Snowfall Leopard arrived all versions of Mac OS X arrived via the Mac App Store, those who never installed Snow Leopard had a trouble: without Snow Leopard they couldn't update.

Until 2021 Apple tree still sold a boxed version of Mac Os X x.6 Snowfall Leopard here for £19.99 (at its launch in 2009 it toll £25). If you purchased Snow Leopard this manner you lot were sent a physical box containing an optical disc - so you will demand a CD/DVD bulldoze to install it (which you lot will probably take if the Mac is that old).

Apple has now removed the ability to purchase Snowfall Leopard. However, this isn't a big problem because those people who were previously locked out of updates tin now download the Lion or Mountain Panthera leo update, as explained above.

Get Snow Leopard

How to get OS X Leopard or earlier

If the sometime version of the OS you are after predates Snow Leopard and you have a developer account you might exist able to go it from developer.apple.com/downloads. If you search inside the Os 10 category you should see downloads for all versions of OS Ten, at least from version 10.3 to x.6.

You may exist able to access the Programmer section of the website, but you volition only be able to access sure software downloads if your Apple ID is associated with a paid Apple tree Programmer Program.

If you haven't signed up as a Apple Programmer, observe out what that entails here. It costs £79 ($99) a year to join the Apple Programmer Program and you have to sign a non disclosure agreement.

Y'all could likewise attempt looking on Amazon or eBay to encounter if anyone is selling one-time versions of the Mac operating system. For example there'due south a Total Install of Bone X King of beasts available for £8.50 on Amazon hither.

If it's Tiger yous are after, then it will price a little more. There was a copy of Tiger on Amazon for £89.99 but it's currently unavailable.

How to download Mac OS X Mountain Lion, Snow Leopard and older Mac software