So, you've decided to download an older version of Mac OS X. There are many reasons that could point you to this radical decision. To begin with, some of your apps may not be working properly (or simply crash) on newer operating systems. Also, you may have noticed your Mac's performance went down right after the last update. Finally, if you want to run a parallel copy of Mac OS X on a virtual machine, you too will need a working installation file of an older Mac OS X. Further down we'll explain where to get one and what problems you may face down the road.
A list of all Mac OS X versions
Mac OS X, version 10.3 and earlier: uninstallflashplayerosx10.2.dmg (1.3 MB) (updated 05/27/08) Choose Window Downloads to view the downloaded uninstaller. Save the uninstaller file in a convenient location. For earlier versions of Mac OS X, including Mac OS X Mavericks 10.9, Mac OS X Mountain Lion 10.8, Mac OS X Lion 10.7, Mac OS X Snow Leopard 10.6, Mac OS X Leopard 10.5, Mac OS X Tiger 10.4, and before, the process to obtain those installers differs a bit. Downloading Mac OS X.
We'll be repeatedly referring to these Apple OS versions below, so it's good to know the basic macOS timeline.
Cheetah 10.0 | Puma 10.1 | Jaguar 10.2 |
Panther 10.3 | Tiger 10.4 | Leopard 10.5 |
Snow Leopard 10.6 | Lion 10.7 | Mountain Lion 10.8 |
Mavericks 10.9 | Yosemite 10.10 | El Capitan 10.11 |
Sierra 10.12 | High Sierra 10.13 | Mojave 10.14 |
Catalina 10.15 |
STEP 1. Prepare your Mac for installation
Given your Mac isn't new and is filled with data, you will probably need enough free space on your Mac. This includes not just space for the OS itself but also space for other applications and your user data. One more argument is that the free space on your disk translates into virtual memory so your apps have 'fuel' to operate on. The chart below tells you how much free space is needed.
Note, that it is recommended that you install OS on a clean drive. Next, you will need enough disk space available, for example, to create Recovery Partition. 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:
Go to Finder > All My Files > Arrange by size
Then you 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 is CleanMyMac as it's most simple to use of all. It deletes system junk, old broken apps, and the rest of hidden junk on your drive.
Download CleanMyMac for OS 10.4 - 10.8 (free version)
Download CleanMyMac for OS 10.9 (free version)
Download CleanMyMac for OS 10.10 - 10.14 (free version)
STEP 2. Get a copy of Mac OS X download
Normally, it is assumed that updating OS is a one-way road. That's why going back to a past Apple OS version is problematic. The main challenge is to download the OS installation file itself, because your Mac may already be running a newer version. If you succeed in downloading the OS installation, your next step is to create a bootable USB or DVD and then reinstall the OS on your computer.
Infiltrados Mac Os Sierra
How to download older Mac OS X versions via the App Store
If you once had purchased an old version of Mac OS X from the App Store, open it and go to the Purchased tab. There you'll find all the installers you can download. However, it doesn't always work that way. The purchased section lists only those operating systems that you had downloaded in the past. But here is the path to check it:
- Click the App Store icon.
- Click Purchases in the top menu.
- Scroll down to find the preferred OS X version.
- Click Download.
This method allows you to download Mavericks and Yosemite by logging with your Apple ID — only if you previously downloaded them from the Mac App Store. Ld29 - it came from... beneath!! mac os. Evolve me mac os.
Without App Store: Download Mac OS version as 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 need a lower OS X version build, consider creating a new Developer account among other options. The membership cost is $99/year and provides a bunch of perks unavailable to ordinary users.
Nevertheless, keep in mind that if you visit developer.apple.com/downloads, you can only find 10.3-10.6 OS X operating systems there. Newer versions are not available because starting Mac OS X Snow Leopard 10.7, the App Store has become the only source of updating Apple OS versions.
Purchase an older version of Mac operating system
You can purchase a boxed or email version of past Mac OS X directly from Apple. Both will cost you around $20. For the reason of being rather antiquated, Snow Leopard and earlier Apple versions can only be installed from DVD.
Buy a boxed edition of Snow Leopard 10.6
Get an email copy of Lion 10.7
Get an email copy of Mountain Lion 10.8
The email edition comes with a special download code you can use 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 it.
How to get macOS El Capitan download
If you are wondering if you can run El Capitan on an older Mac, rejoice as it's possible too. 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 take:
1. Install Snow Leopard from install DVD.
2. Update to 10.6.8 using Software Update.
3. Download El Capitan here.
'I can't download an old version of Mac OS X'
If you have a newer Mac, there is no physical option to install Mac OS versions older than your current Mac model. For instance, if your MacBook was released in 2014, don't expect it to run any OS released prior of that time, because older Apple OS versions simply do not include hardware drivers for your Mac.
Infiltrados Mac Os X
But as it often happens, workarounds are possible. There is still a chance to download the installation file if you have an access to a Mac (or virtual machine) running that operating system. For example, to get an installer for Lion, you may ask a friend who has Lion-operated Mac or, once again, set up a virtual machine running Lion. Then you will need to prepare an external drive to download the installation file using OS X Utilities.
After you've completed the download, the installer should launch automatically, but you can click Cancel and copy the file you need. Below is the detailed instruction how to do it.
STEP 3. Install older OS X onto an external drive
The following method allows you to download Mac OS X Lion, Mountain Lion, and Mavericks.
- Start your Mac holding down Command + R.
- Prepare a clean external drive (at least 10 GB of storage).
- Within OS X Utilities, choose Reinstall OS X.
- Select external drive as a source.
- Enter your Apple ID.
Now the OS should start downloading automatically onto the external drive. After the download is complete, your Mac will prompt you to do a restart, but at this point, you should completely shut it down. Now that the installation file is 'captured' onto your external drive, you can reinstall the OS, this time running the file on your Mac.
- Boot your Mac from your standard drive.
- Connect the external drive.
- Go to external drive > OS X Install Data.
Locate InstallESD.dmg disk image file — this is the file you need to reinstall Lion OS X. The same steps are valid for Mountain Lion and Mavericks.
How to downgrade a Mac running later macOS versions
If your Mac runs macOS Sierra 10.12 or macOS High Sierra 10.13, it is possible to revert it to the previous system if you are not satisfied with the experience. You can do it either with Time Machine or by creating a bootable USB or external drive.
Instruction to downgrade from macOS Sierra
Instruction to downgrade from macOS High Sierra
Instruction to downgrade from macOS Mojave
Instruction to downgrade from macOS Catalina
Before you do 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 do it is to run CleanMyMac X on your machine (download it for free here).
Visit your local Apple Store 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 have image installations going back to OS Leopard and earlier. You can also ask their assistance to create a bootable USB drive with the installation file. So here you are. We hope this article has helped you to download an old version of Mac OS X. Below are a few more links you may find interesting.
This tip is designed to be a one stop shop to find out what iOS you can use if you are able to install a specific Mac OS X.
Note, some downloads from Apple do not work in Safari for earlier Mac OSes, see this tip if you find you can't download them anymore, to find a browser that will work.
Updating to iOS 14? This thread discusses a trick to enable iTunes syncing to work in El Capitan. Reinstall iTunes while the phone is connected:
Further details are here:
- Make sure you are running 10.11.6 using the Combo to any version of 10.11 and Security Update 2018-004.
- Upgrade to iTunes 12.8.2.3.
- From TuringTest2 on another thread:
Assuming a suitable version of iTunes is in place then in Finder use the menu item Go > Go to Folder.., copy the following text, paste it into the dialog box and press enter:
/System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/MobileDevice.framework/Versions/Current/Resources
Unlock your device and connect it to USB. Double click on MobileDeviceUpdater in the folder that has opened. It should notify you of a software update. Install it and iTunes should hopefully recognize your device.
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On September 19, 2019, iOS 13 was released. Present requirements for iOS 13 include Mac OS 10.11.6 for iTunes 12.8 as a bare minimum.
Two factor authentication logins for AppleID unlocks was introduced on Mac OS 10.12.4. If your iOS is current for it, you can usually use it to unlock either from another current iOS device, or http://iforgot.apple.com if you don't have a Mac.
On May 29, 2019, it was found that iOS 12.1.5 could sync with iTunes on Mac OS X 10.10.5 if you kept iTunes 12.5.5.
This thread discusses more of the inconsistent requirements that were initially stated:
https://www.imobie.com/support/how-to-downgrade-from-ios-12-to-ios-11.htm offers a means of downgrading from iOS 12 to iOS 11, if no other means work to link an elderly Mac that can't be updated to 10.11. Be very careful to backup your data properly to avoid problems. Consider a lightning port data transfer device if you need to backup data. And remember no backup is complete, unless you know you have two working copies.
Downgrading Mac OS X is possible in many cases, but your iOS is not at all. Downgrading a Mac is described here:http://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-1948
iOS 12 & Yosemite -is a new tip I constructed to cover what can be done for those with Yosemite when downgrading the iOS is no longer possible.
For iOS earlier than 5, see this tip:Which OS do I have and where should I post?So be sure to look this over before upgrading your iOS and backup/sync your iOS with your Mac:
Infiltrados Mac Os Catalina
Mac OS X 10.5.8 (Leopard) supports PowerPC Macs, iTunes 10.6.3, iOS 5.1.1.
Mac OS X 10.6.8 (Snow Leopard) supports Intel only Macs, but does support PowerPC applications, iTunes 11.4 and iOS 6, and iOS 7.
Recolit mac os. Mac OS X 10.7.3 (Lion) supports iCloud except for iCloud Drive in its current iteration and the new Notes.
Mac OS X 10.7.5 (Lion) (link explains the pitfalls of losing PowerPC applications) supports iTunes 12.2.2.25 (available from Software update as of 10/24/2015), iOS 8 and iOS 9.0.
Mac OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion) is required for iTunes 12.3 and iOS 9.2 and iOS 9.2.1(except iCloud Drive, and the new notes). Does not support iOS 10 or iTunes 12.5.1 according to the Wikipedia below.Mac OS X 10.9.5 (Mavericks)one user has said is required for iOS 10 and iTunes 12.5. It is though unable to sync with iOS 11.Mac OS X 10.10 (Yosemite) is required minimum for the new iCloud Drive and iOS 11 (except for Notes, which requires El Capitan). iTunes 12.7.0.166 is needed for iOS 11. Also note, anyone who can install Mountain Lion can also install El Capitan, which supports all iOSes up to the iOS 14.x as of (April 2, 2021). That's covered earlier in this tip.
Mac OS 10.12 (Sierra) currently has no special requirements as of April 2, 2021, however is a free path to upgrade from Macs that shipped with Lion, that upgraded to 10.7.5 or later, and then updated to Sierra to be able to synchronize with iOS 12.
iOS 12 was released September 17, 2018. Please make sure to backup your data on your iphone, ipad, or ipod touch and not apply any update until you are certain that iTunes on your Mac or PC can handle it.
Some may find running Windows on their Mac Running Windows on a Mac, and Connecting it to Macor creating a separate partition for a newer Mac OS How to format a drive, or disc for maximum portability?allows one to sync to a newer iOS without losing compatibility of older Mac OS versions.
Stuck in Mavericks, Mac OS X 10.9.5? There is a published way to downgrade your iOS.
Note: this is not for the faint at heart, but sure is better than having to upgrade your Mac OS X prematurely for an App you can't afford upgrading on your Mac. Consider your reason for being stuck. If it is a software that won't run on 10.11.6, ask on the forum for other software titles that are comparable, since you can upgrade to Mac OS X 10.11.6 to get the current iOS of April 2, 2021.
The last iOS supported for various iDevices is listed on the table called 'Terminal update for' on:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IOS_version_history
And many of the latest iOS versions and iTunes support are on https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_iTunes
Notes: Upgrading to 10.7 and above, don't forget Rosetta! and High Sierra upgrading tipoffer two means of getting your Mac up to speed with iTunes 12.8. Use the first tip if running 10.6.8 or earlier to get to 10.11. And use the other tip if running 10.8 or later.