There are a few reasons why yous might want to download and install one-time versions of macOS or Mac OS X. Peradventure you are relying on software y'all have discovered doesn't piece of work properly in the latest version. Or maybe you lot just don't similar the new version of macOS that y'all accept installed.

Some other scenario is that yous are a developer and you need to be running multiple versions of macOS and Mac OS 10 so that yous can be certain that your software runs correctly on them. Either way, you have questions and we have answers.

In this article nosotros will cover how to go onetime versions of macOS including Big Sur, Catalina, Mojave, El Capitan, Sierra, Yosemite and even old versions of Mac OS Ten. We explain how to get hold of the relevant installer files and so that you tin can install the software on your Mac.

We have a split article that explains how to install old versions of macOS for when you get to that stage of the process.

If yous are looking for a mode to revert to the previous version of macOS, we accept a more specific article well-nigh downgrading from Monterey to Big Sur and other versions, although nosotros do comprehend the method hither too. We besides have a guide to downgrading from the macOS beta.

However, if you were hoping to run older versions of macOS on M1 Macs that'south not possible.

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

Where can I download erstwhile macOS?

Earlier you lot can install an older version of macOS or Mac OS 10 y'all will need to go 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 as yous know where to go on the Mac App Store.

We have the necessary links to the Mac App Shop below. We will show you a way to get the following macOS installers:

  • macOS Big Sur
  • macOS Catalina
  • macOS Mojave
  • macOS High Sierra
  • macOS Sierra
  • Os X El Capitan
  • Bone X Yosemite
  • Bone 10 Mavericks
  • OS X Mountain Lion
  • OS 10 Panthera leo

*Note that nosotros have discovered that the links nosotros give below will only work if you are surfing in Safari, and so we suggest you switch to Apple'south browser before moving on. You should also shut the Mac App Shop app if y'all have that open or the link may not work*

Y'all won't be able to get the Mac Os Ten Snow Leopard download this style, but nosotros'll look at that later. In fact, nosotros tell you how to go copies of Leopard, King of beasts and Mountain Lion too!

We have a listing 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 Shop - every bit long as you know where to find it - searching the Mac App Store will not work.

  • Click on this link which to open the Mac App Shop on the Big Sur page. (Use Safari and make certain the Mac App Store app is airtight first or it might not work).

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

  1. Click this link to open up the Mac App Shop on the Large Sur folio.
  2. Click on Get.
  3. Software Update will open with the words "Finding Update". Eventually a bulletin "Are you sure y'all want to download macOS Large Sur" will appear. It might look like an update rather than the total version, but you'll see from the size of the download (around 6GB) that this is the complete installer for Large Sur.
  4. In one case the installer has downloaded do not click Install. If yous install it the installer will automatically be deleted.
  5. You should be able to detect the Install macOS Big Sur app in your Applications binder, you'll demand 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

You lot can also download the installer for Catalina from the Mac App Store - as long as you know the magic link.

  • Click on this link which will open up the Mac App Shop on the Catalina page. (Use Safari and make sure the Mac App Store app is airtight first).

Catalina Mac App Store

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

  1. Click this link to open the Mac App Shop on the Catalina page.
  2. Click on Get.
  3. Software Update will open with the words "Finding Update". Eventually a bulletin "Are you certain y'all want to download macOS Catalina" will appear. It might expect 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 Catalina. Download Catalina
  4. One time the installer has downloaded exercise non click Install. If yous install information technology the installer will automatically be deleted.
  5. Yous should be able to find the Install macOS Catalina app in your Applications folder, you'll need this for the next steps, which we outline hither: How to downgrade macOS, install an older version on your Mac.

How to download macOS Mojave

Information technology is also possible to access the Mojave installer via this link to the Mac App Store. Note that equally above, for this link to piece of work you need to be running Safari and yous need to shut the Mac App Store app first. If the Mac App Store app is open this redirect volition not work.

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

Follow the steps in the section above to download it.

Download Mojave

How to download High Sierra

It is also possible to download Loftier Sierra via this link. (Use Safari, close the Mac App Store app first).

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

How to download Sierra, El Capitan or Yosemite

Apple tree provides dmg files of these older macOS versions - you need to download them in Safari. A disk image named InstallOS.dmg will download and once information technology does you need to locate the pkg installer inside the disk prototype.

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

We've said above that in our experience ordinarily the reason the above links don't work is if you are browsing in something other than Safari, or if you take already got the Mac App Store open up. However, if y'all are still finding that the link isn't working you lot could try the culling methods below.

Another issue is if the link takes y'all to the correct page in the Mac App Store, just you see an Update not found error bulletin when you endeavor to download it. This is an issue we are aware of that others take encountered, although we oasis't. In that case we suggest you try to download the installer via that link using an older Mac.

You may likewise run across issues if you lot are trying to download an older version of macOS that your Mac cannot support. Unremarkably when Apple introduces a new Mac it will non be able to run the version of macOS that shipped before the 1 installed on that Mac. The older macOS might not support sure components in that Mac, for example.

Find out more about what version of macOS your Mac supports hither: What version of macOS can my Mac run?

Other means to get old macOS versions

If you are running an older version of macOS - or someone you know is - you should be able to easily find older versions of macOS and even Mac OS X in the Mac App Store. How easy they are to find volition be determined by the version of macOS running on that Mac.

Prior to macOS Mojave's arrival in 2018 the installers for the older macOS versions could exist searched for or found via the Purchased tab (non that anyone has had to pay for a Mac OS X update for years).

Nonetheless, when Apple introduced Mojave the Mac App Store changed, and these installers can no longer be searched for or plant in the purchased section of the store. (Although we practise accept redirect links in the section to a higher place to each of the relevant pages on the Mac App Store.)

If y'all happen to accept access to a Mac that's running an older version of macOS, log into the Mac App Store with your password and download the Mojave installer on that Mac. Alternatively ask a friend to download a copy of the installer from the Mac App Store for yous. We run through this method in the section beneath.

As in a higher place, once the installer has downloaded don't install it! If yous do then the installer will be deleted. You'll find the installer in your Applications folder from which you lot can re-create on to your Mac - or create a bootable installer.

We've heard that it may be possible to download the installer via Terminal, notwithstanding we were unable to get that method to work.

You may also find updates to old version of macOS on Apple's website hither, however these are but point updates, rather than the full version, and so it won't be much help if y'all are trying to get the total download.

The one thing you really mustn't exercise is go to a torrent site and download a copy of the OS X y'all want. Just because Apple gives away its software for free, don't call back information technology's fine to merely pick up a re-create. Pirated copies of Apple software could accept been adapted to allow hackers access to the software and your Mac.

Download Mac Bone 10

If you have admission to a Mac running OS X Yosemite or older information technology is possible to see old versions of Mac Bone X in the Mac App Store. Yosemite, Mavericks and Mountain King of beasts can all exist seen hither.

It's worth noting that yous'll simply encounter one-time versions of Mac OS X that yous've downloaded under Purchased - if you never downloaded it (or if information technology was never on the Mac App Shop), that version volition not be in your Purchased department. Another reason why the version of Mac Bone X might be missing is if your machine shipped with that version installed. We'll look at that scenario later.

Here is how to go an older version of Mac OS X from the Mac App Shop (this just works if you've downloaded information technology in the past and it won't work if y'all take already installed Mojave or later):

  1. Open up the Mac App Store (choose Shop > Sign In if you need to log in).
  2. Click Purchased.
  3. Curlicue downwardly to detect the copy of OS X or macOS you want.
  4. Click Install.

Clicking Install won't actually install the software, but information technology volition download the installer awarding to your Applications binder.

Yous won't be able to simply install this older version of the operating organization directly onto a Mac running a newer version of OS Ten or macOS. We will explicate how information technology tin be installed on a Mac - including one currently running an earlier operating system here: How to install erstwhile Mac Os X versions.

Can't discover Mac OS Ten in Purchased?

If you know you lot have previously downloaded the version of macOS you are later, merely you aren't seeing information technology in the Purchased section, in that location are a few things to effort:

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

If yous never downloaded the version of Mac OS X and then jump to step 3 and discover a friendly person who did. Ask them to download the Mac Os Ten installer for you.

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

How to go Bone X King of beasts, Mount Lion

Prior to June 2021 yous could purchase Os 10 10.7 Lion or Mountain Lion from Apple tree for £xix.99 each - Apple would transport you a download code. At present Apple tree has stopped charging for the ageing operating system versions. Instead yous can download the operating systems directly from the company'due south website.

The operating systems can be downloaded from the post-obit links:

If it'due south Mac Os X ten.7 Lion that you are later, it's still available for £19.99 hither US or hither UK. Apple will transport you a download lawmaking to use on the Mac App Store, and so you lot will need to be running Snowfall Leopard to install information technology.

If it's OS X ten.eight Mountain Lion that you can notwithstanding purchase it for £19.99 here Us or here UK.

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

Whether your Mac will actually run these operating systems is another question nosotros accost here: Which versions of macOS can my Mac run? Note that only Macs that predate 2012 will run King of beasts.

How to become OS X Snow Leopard

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

Until 2021 Apple still sold a boxed version of Mac Os X 10.six Snow Leopard here for £xix.99 (at its launch in 2009 it cost £25). If you purchased Snow Leopard this fashion yous were sent a concrete box containing an optical disc - so yous volition need a CD/DVD drive to install it (which you volition probably have if the Mac is that old).

Apple tree has at present removed the power to buy Snow Leopard. All the same, this isn't a big problem because those people who were previously locked out of updates tin at present download the Lion or Mountain Lion update, every bit explained above.

Get Snow Leopard

How to go OS X Leopard or earlier

If the erstwhile version of the Bone you are after predates Snow Leopard and yous accept a developer account you might be able to get information technology from developer.apple.com/downloads. If you search inside the Os X category you should encounter downloads for all versions of Bone X, at least from version 10.3 to 10.6.

Y'all may be able to access the Developer section of the website, but you will just be able to access sure software downloads if your Apple ID is associated with a paid Apple tree Programmer Programme.

If you haven't signed up as a Apple tree Developer, observe out what that entails here. Information technology costs £79 ($99) a year to join the Apple Developer Program and yous have to sign a non disclosure understanding.

You could also try looking on Amazon or eBay to see if anyone is selling old versions of the Mac operating system. For example there'southward a Full Install of OS X Lion available for £8.50 on Amazon here.

If it'southward Tiger y'all are after, then it will toll a little more. There was a copy of Tiger on Amazon for £89.99 just it'southward currently unavailable.

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