Download and install older versions of OS X on a Mac

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 and macOS versions

We’ll be repeatedly referring to these Apple OS versions below, so it’s good to know the basic macOS timeline.

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 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 the 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)

Download CleanMyMac for OS 10.9 (free)

Download CleanMyMac for OS 10.10 - 10.14 (free)

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.

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:

1. Click the App Store icon.
2. Click Purchases in the top menu.
3. Scroll down to find the preferred OS X version.
4. Click Download.

This method allows you to download Mavericks and Yosemite by logging in with your Apple ID — only if you previously downloaded them from the Mac App Store. 

Without App Store: Download Mac OS version as Apple Developer 

If you are signed up 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.

The email edition comes with a special download code you can use for the App Store. Note that to install the Lion or Mountain Lion, your Mac needs to be running Snow Leopard so that 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 the main steps you should take:

1. Install Snow Leopard from the 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 to that time because older Apple OS versions simply do not include hardware drivers for your Mac.

But as it often happens, workarounds are possible. There is still a chance to download the installation file if you have 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 open automatically, but you can click Cancel and copy the file you need. Below is the detailed instructions on 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.

1. Start your Mac holding down Command + R.
2. Prepare a clean external drive (at least 10 GB of storage).
3. Within OS X Utilities, choose Reinstall OS X.
4. Select external drive as a source.
5. 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 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.

1. Boot your Mac from your standard drive.
2. Connect the external drive.
3. 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 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

Instruction to downgrade from macOS Big Sur 

Instruction to downgrade from macOS Monterey

Instruction to downgrade from macOS Ventura 

Instruction to downgrade from macOS Sonoma

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 computer (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 the nearest local Apple Store. They should have image installations going back to OS Leopard and earlier. You can also ask for their assistance in creating 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.