So, you lot've decided to download an older version of Mac OS Ten. In that location are many reasons that could bespeak you to this radical decision. To begin with, some of your apps may not exist working properly (or just crash) on newer operating systems. Also, you may have noticed your Mac's performance went downwards right after the last update. Finally, if yous want to run a parallel re-create of Mac Bone 10 on a virtual auto, you too will need a working installation file of an older Mac Os Ten. Further downwardly we'll explain where to get i and what issues you lot may face down the road.

A listing of all Mac OS X versions

We'll be repeatedly referring to these Apple OS versions below, so it's skillful to know the bones macOS timeline.

Cheetah 10.0 Puma ten.i Jaguar 10.2
Panther 10.iii Tiger ten.iv Leopard 10.5
Snow Leopard 10.half dozen Lion 10.vii Mountain Panthera leo 10.8
Mavericks 10.9 Yosemite 10.ten El Capitan 10.11
Sierra 10.12 High Sierra 10.13 Mojave 10.fourteen
Catalina x.fifteen

STEP 1. Prepare your Mac for installation

Given your Mac isn't new and is filled with information, you will probably demand enough free infinite on your Mac. This includes not just space for the OS itself merely as well space for other applications and your user data. One more argument is that the gratis space on your deejay translates into virtual memory so your apps have "fuel" to operate on. The nautical chart below tells y'all how much free space is needed.

Annotation, that it is recommended that y'all install OS on a clean drive. Side by side, you will need plenty disk space available, for example, to create Recovery Sectionalization. Hither are some ideas to gratuitous up infinite on your drive:

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

Go to Finder > All My Files > Arrange by size

Then you lot can move your space hoggers onto an external drive or a cloud storage.

If you aren't comfortable with cleaning the Mac manually, there are some nice automatic "room cleaners". Our favorite isCleanMyMac as it'south most elementary to utilize of all. It deletes system junk, erstwhile broken apps, and the rest of hidden junk on your drive.

CleanMyMac X - Smart Scan complete

Download CleanMyMacfor Os 10.4 - 10.8 (free version)

Download CleanMyMac for Bone 10.9 (free version)

Download CleanMyMacfor Bone 10.10 - 10.14 (gratis version)

STEP ii. Get a copy of Mac OS X download

Unremarkably, it is assumed that updating Os is a one-fashion road. That's why going back to a past Apple OS version is problematic. The master claiming is to download the OS installation file itself, because your Mac may already be running a newer version. If you lot succeed in downloading the Os installation, your adjacent step is to create a bootable USB or DVD and so reinstall the OS on your computer.

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

Mac operating system download


If you once had purchased an old version of Mac Bone X from the App Store, open up information technology and go to the Purchased tab. There yous'll find all the installers y'all can download. Notwithstanding, it doesn't ever work that manner. The purchased section lists simply those operating systems that you had downloaded in the by. But here is the path to check it:

  1. Click the App Store icon.
  2. Click Purchases in the elevation carte du jour.
  3. Gyre down to find the preferred Os Ten version.
  4. Click Download.

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

Without App Store: Download Mac Os version equally Apple Developer

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

All the same, keep in heed that if you visit developer.apple tree.com/downloads, you tin only find 10.3-10.half-dozen OS 10 operating systems there. Newer versions are not bachelor because starting Mac OS 10 Snowfall Leopard 10.7, the App Store has go the only source of updating Apple OS versions.

Purchase an older version of Mac operating system

Apple OS Versions

You can purchase a boxed or email version of past Mac Bone Ten directly from Apple tree. Both volition cost you around $20. For the reason of beingness rather antiquated, Snow Leopard and earlier Apple versions can only exist installed from DVD.

Buy a boxed edition of Snow Leopard 10.half-dozen
Get an email re-create of Lion 10.7
Become an email re-create of Mountain Panthera leo x.viii

The email edition comes with a special download code you tin employ for the Mac App Store. Note, that to install the Lion or Mountain Lion, your Mac needs to be running Snow Leopard so you can install the newer OS on top of information technology.

How to go macOS El Capitan download

If you are wondering if you can run El Capitan on an older Mac, rejoice as it's possible as well. But before your Mac can run El Capitan it has to be updated to OS X 10.6.8. So, here are main steps you should have:

one. Install Snowfall Leopard from install DVD.
2. Update to 10.6.8 using Software Update.
3. Download El Capitan here.

"I tin't download an old version of Mac OS X"

If you lot have a newer Mac, there is no physical choice to install Mac OS versions older than your current Mac model. For instance, if your MacBook was released in 2014, don't look it to run whatsoever Os released prior of that time, because older Apple Bone versions but do non include hardware drivers for your Mac.

Mac os x download

But as it often happens, workarounds are possible. There is notwithstanding a chance to download the installation file if y'all have an access to a Mac (or virtual auto) running that operating system. For case, to get an installer for Panthera leo, you lot may ask a friend who has King of beasts-operated Mac or, once again, ready a virtual machine running Lion. Then yous volition need to prepare an external bulldoze to download the installation file using Bone X Utilities.

Later you've completed the download, the installer should launch automatically, merely you tin can click Abolish and re-create the file you lot need. Below is the detailed instruction how to do it.

STEP 3. Install older Bone Ten onto an external drive

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

  1. Start your Mac holding down Command + R.
  2. Prepare a make clean external bulldoze (at least x GB of storage).
  3. Within Os 10 Utilities, choose Reinstall Bone 10.
  4. Select external drive as a source.
  5. Enter your Apple tree ID.
How to download old Mac OS X versions

Now the Bone should start downloading automatically onto the external drive. Afterwards the download is complete, your Mac will prompt you to do a restart, simply at this point, you should completely shut it down. At present that the installation file is "captured" onto your external bulldoze, yous can reinstall the OS, this time running the file on your Mac.

  1. Kick your Mac from your standard drive.
  2. Connect the external drive.
  3. Go to external drive > Bone X Install Information.

Locate InstallESD.dmg disk image file — this is the file you need to reinstall Panthera leo Bone Ten. The aforementioned steps are valid for Mountain King of beasts and Mavericks.

How to downgrade a Mac running after macOS versions

If your Mac runs macOS Sierra 10.12 or macOS Loftier Sierra ten.13, information technology is possible to revert information technology to the previous organization if you are not satisfied with the feel. Y'all can do information technology either with Fourth dimension Automobile or by creating a bootable USB or external drive.

Instruction todowngrade from macOS Sierra

Teaching todowngrade from macOS High Sierra

Instruction todowngrade from macOS Mojave

Instruction to downgrade from macOS Catalina

Earlier you lot practise it, the best advice is to back your Mac up so your most 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 practice it is to run CleanMyMac 10 on your automobile (download information technology for complimentary 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. Y'all can also enquire their assistance to create a bootable USB drive with the installation file. Then here you are. We promise this article has helped you to download an old version of Mac Bone X. Beneath are a few more links you may detect interesting.