In that location are a few reasons why y'all might want to download and install old versions of macOS or Mac Bone X. Perhaps you are relying on software you accept discovered doesn't piece of work properly in the latest version. Or maybe you just don't like the new version of macOS that you take installed.

Another scenario is that you are a developer and you demand to be running multiple versions of macOS and Mac Os X so that you lot tin exist sure that your software runs correctly on them. Either mode, yous take questions and nosotros have answers.

In this article nosotros will cover how to get one-time versions of macOS including Large Sur, Catalina, Mojave, El Capitan, Sierra, Yosemite and even old versions of Mac OS 10. Nosotros explicate how to get hold of the relevant installer files so that you lot tin install the software on your Mac.

We have a separate commodity that explains how to install old versions of macOS for when y'all become to that stage of the process.

If y'all are looking for a way to revert to the previous version of macOS, we have a more specific article virtually downgrading from Monterey to Big Sur and other versions, although we practice encompass the method hither too. Nosotros likewise accept a guide to downgrading from the macOS beta.

Nonetheless, if y'all were hoping to run older versions of macOS on M1 Macs that'south not possible.

Yous also might want to become the installer for a version of macOS in order to make a bootable installer for installing macOS on multiple Macs (we likewise look at that scenario separately).

Where can I download old macOS?

Before yous tin install an older version of macOS or Mac OS X you will need to get hold of the installer for the version of macOS you want to install. Luckily it is possible to gets hold of these files - as long as you know where to continue the Mac App Store.

Nosotros accept the necessary links to the Mac App Shop below. We will show yous a fashion to get the following macOS installers:

  • macOS Big Sur
  • macOS Catalina
  • macOS Mojave
  • macOS High Sierra
  • macOS Sierra
  • OS Ten El Capitan
  • OS Ten Yosemite
  • OS X Mavericks
  • OS 10 Mountain Lion
  • OS 10 Lion

*Note that we have discovered that the links nosotros give below volition only work if you are surfing in Safari, then nosotros suggest you lot switch to Apple's browser earlier moving on. You should also close the Mac App Shop app if you have that open up or the link may not work*

Yous won't be able to get the Mac OS X Snow Leopard download this way, but we'll wait at that afterwards. In fact, nosotros tell you how to get copies of Leopard, Lion and Mountain Lion besides!

We accept a listing of which Macs run which versions of macOS & Mac Os Ten.

How to download macOS Big Sur

You lot tin download the installer for Big Sur from the Mac App Store - as long as you know where to observe it - searching the Mac App Store will not work.

  • Click on this link which to open the Mac App Store on the Big Sur page. (Apply Safari and make sure the Mac App Store app is closed commencement 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 Store on the Big Sur 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 Big Sur" will appear. Information technology might look like an update rather than the full version, but you'll see from the size of the download (effectually 6GB) that this is the complete installer for Large Sur.
  4. Once the installer has downloaded do not click Install. If you install it the installer will automatically be deleted.
  5. Y'all should be able to find the Install macOS Big Sur app in your Applications folder, you'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

You can also download the installer for Catalina from the Mac App Shop - as long every bit you know the magic link.

  • Click on this link which will open the Mac App Store 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 any other version of macOS) from the Mac App Shop:

  1. Click this link to open up the Mac App Shop on the Catalina 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 Catalina" will appear. It might look similar an update rather than the full version, but you'll come across from the size of the download (around 6GB) that this is the complete installer for Catalina. Download Catalina
  4. Once the installer has downloaded exercise not click Install. If you install it the installer will automatically be deleted.
  5. You should be able to find the Install macOS Catalina app in your Applications folder, you'll need this for the side by side steps, which we outline hither: How to downgrade macOS, install an older version on your Mac.

How to download macOS Mojave

It is too possible to admission the Mojave installer via this link to the Mac App Store. Note that every bit above, for this link to work y'all need to be running Safari and you need to close the Mac App Store app start. If the Mac App Shop app is open up this redirect volition non work.

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

Follow the steps in the section above to download it.

Download Mojave

How to download Loftier Sierra

Information technology is as well possible to download High Sierra via this link. (Use Safari, close the Mac App Shop app first).

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

How to download Sierra, El Capitan or Yosemite

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

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