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

Another scenario is that y'all are a developer and yous need to be running multiple versions of macOS and Mac OS X so that yous can be sure that your software runs correctly on them. Either way, you lot have questions and we accept answers.

In this commodity we volition cover how to get old versions of macOS including Big Sur, Catalina, Mojave, El Capitan, Sierra, Yosemite and fifty-fifty erstwhile versions of Mac OS X. We explain how to go hold of the relevant installer files then that you can install the software on your Mac.

Nosotros have a divide commodity that explains how to install old versions of macOS for when you get to that stage of the procedure.

If you are looking for a way to revert to the previous version of macOS, we accept a more specific article almost downgrading from Monterey to Big Sur and other versions, although we do embrace the method hither too. We also have a guide to downgrading from the macOS beta.

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

You also 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 as well look at that scenario separately).

Where can I download onetime macOS?

Before you can install an older version of macOS or Mac OS Ten you will need to go hold of the installer for the version of macOS y'all desire to install. Luckily it is possible to gets concur of these files - every bit long every bit you know where to go along the Mac App Store.

We have the necessary links to the Mac App Store 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
  • OS Ten Yosemite
  • OS 10 Mavericks
  • OS X Mountain Lion
  • OS X Lion

*Notation that we have discovered that the links we give beneath volition just work if yous are surfing in Safari, so nosotros suggest yous switch to Apple's browser before moving on. You should besides close the Mac App Store app if y'all have that open or the link may not work*

You won't be able to get the Mac Bone Ten Snow Leopard download this way, but nosotros'll await at that later. In fact, nosotros tell you how to go copies of Leopard, Panthera leo and Mountain Lion too!

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

How to download macOS Big Sur

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

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

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

  1. Click this link to open 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 certain you want to download macOS Big Sur" will appear. Information technology might wait 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 Big Sur.
  4. Once the installer has downloaded do not click Install. If you lot install it the installer volition automatically exist deleted.
  5. You should exist able to find the Install macOS Big Sur app in your Applications folder, you lot'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

Yous can likewise download the installer for Catalina from the Mac App Store - as long equally y'all know the magic link.

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

Catalina Mac App Store

Every bit 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 Store on the Catalina page.
  2. Click on Get.
  3. Software Update volition open with the words "Finding Update". Eventually a message "Are you sure you want to download macOS Catalina" will appear. It might await like an update rather than the full version, but you'll run into from the size of the download (effectually 6GB) that this is the consummate installer for Catalina. Download Catalina
  4. One time the installer has downloaded exercise non click Install. If y'all install information technology the installer will automatically be deleted.
  5. Y'all 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 here: 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. Note that every bit above, for this link to piece of work you lot need to exist running Safari and you need to close the Mac App Store app showtime. If the Mac App Store app is open this redirect volition not work.

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

Follow the steps in the section above to download it.

Download Mojave

How to download High Sierra

Information technology is likewise possible to download High Sierra via this link. (Utilise Safari, close the Mac App Store app starting time).

Follow the steps in the section to a higher place to download High Sierra.

How to download Sierra, El Capitan or Yosemite

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

  • You lot can Sierra via this link.
  • El Capitan can be downloaded from this link.
  • Yosemite is available here.

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

We've said higher up that in our experience usually the reason the to a higher place links don't piece of work is if yous are browsing in something other than Safari, or if y'all accept already got the Mac App Store open. Nonetheless, if you are even so finding that the link isn't working you lot could attempt the alternative methods below.

Another issue is if the link takes you to the correct folio in the Mac App Store, simply you meet an Update not plant error bulletin when you lot effort to download information technology. This is an issue we are aware of that others have encountered, although nosotros haven't. In that case we suggest you try to download the installer via that link using an older Mac.