In that location are a few reasons why you might want to download and install old versions of macOS or Mac Os X. Peradventure yous are relying on software you lot have discovered doesn't work properly in the latest version. Or maybe you lot but don't like the new version of macOS that you have installed.

Another scenario is that you are a developer and you demand to exist running multiple versions of macOS and Mac OS X and then that yous can be sure that your software runs correctly on them. Either style, you accept questions and nosotros take answers.

In this commodity we will comprehend how to get old versions of macOS including Large Sur, Catalina, Mojave, El Capitan, Sierra, Yosemite and fifty-fifty old versions of Mac Bone X. Nosotros explain how to get hold of the relevant installer files so that y'all can install the software on your Mac.

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

If you are looking for a manner to revert to the previous version of macOS, we take a more specific article about downgrading from Monterey to Big Sur and other versions, although nosotros do cover the method hither too. We too take a guide to downgrading from the macOS beta.

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

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

Where tin I download one-time macOS?

Earlier you can install an older version of macOS or Mac Bone X you will demand to get agree of the installer for the version of macOS y'all want to install. Luckily it is possible to gets hold of these files - as long every bit you know where to go along the Mac App Store.

Nosotros have the necessary links to the Mac App Shop beneath. We will show yous a way to get the post-obit macOS installers:

  • macOS Big Sur
  • macOS Catalina
  • macOS Mojave
  • macOS High Sierra
  • macOS Sierra
  • OS X El Capitan
  • OS X Yosemite
  • Bone X Mavericks
  • Os X Mountain King of beasts
  • Os Ten Panthera leo

*Notation that we have discovered that the links nosotros give below will only work if you lot are surfing in Safari, so nosotros suggest you switch to Apple tree's browser before moving on. You lot should also close the Mac App Store app if yous 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, just we'll look at that later. In fact, we tell y'all how to get copies of Leopard, Lion and Mount Lion besides!

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

How to download macOS Big Sur

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

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

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

  1. Click this link to open the Mac App Store 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 Big Sur" will announced. Information technology might look like an update rather than the full version, only you'll run across from the size of the download (around 6GB) that this is the complete installer for Big Sur.
  4. Once the installer has downloaded practise not click Install. If you install it the installer will automatically be deleted.
  5. You 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

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

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

Catalina Mac App Store

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

  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 message "Are y'all sure you want to download macOS Catalina" will appear. It might expect similar an update rather than the full version, but you'll meet from the size of the download (effectually 6GB) that this is the complete installer for Catalina. Download Catalina
  4. One time the installer has downloaded do not click Install. If you install it the installer will automatically be deleted.
  5. You should be able to observe the Install macOS Catalina app in your Applications folder, you'll need this for the adjacent steps, which we outline hither: How to downgrade macOS, install an older version on your Mac.

How to download macOS Mojave

It is also possible to access the Mojave installer via this link to the Mac App Store. Annotation that every bit in a higher place, for this link to work you need to be running Safari and y'all need to close the Mac App Store app first. If the Mac App Shop app is open this redirect volition not work.

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

Follow the steps in the section in a higher place to download information technology.

Download Mojave

How to download High Sierra

It is too possible to download High Sierra via this link. (Utilise Safari, shut 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 provides dmg files of these older macOS versions - you lot need to download them in Safari. A disk image named InstallOS.dmg will download and once it does you need to locate the pkg installer inside the disk image.

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