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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 versions
We’ll be repeatedly referring to these Apple OS versions below, so it’s good to know the basic macOS timeline.
Cheetah 10.0 | Puma 10.1 | Jaguar 10.2 |
Panther 10.3 | Tiger 10.4 | Leopard 10.5 |
Snow Leopard 10.6 | Lion 10.7 | Mountain Lion 10.8 |
Mavericks 10.9 | Yosemite 10.10 | El Capitan 10.11 |
Sierra 10.12 | High Sierra 10.13 | Mojave 10.14 |
Catalina 10.15 |
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 a 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 most simple to use of all. It deletes system junk, old broken apps, and the rest of hidden junk on your drive.
Then you can move your space hoggers onto an external drive or a 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 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 version)
Download CleanMyMac for OS 10.9 (free version)
Download CleanMyMac for OS 10.10 - 10.14 (free version)
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:
- Click the App Store icon.
- Click Purchases in the top menu.
- Scroll down to find the preferred OS X version.
- Click Download.
This method allows you to download Mavericks and Yosemite by logging 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 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.
Buy a boxed edition of Snow Leopard 10.6
Get an email copy of Lion 10.7
Get an email copy of Mountain Lion 10.8
Get an email copy of Lion 10.7
Get an email copy of Mountain Lion 10.8
The email edition comes with a special download code you can use for the Mac App Store. Note, that to install the Lion or Mountain Lion, your Mac needs to be running Snow Leopard so 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 main steps you should take:
1. Install Snow Leopard from install DVD.
2. Update to 10.6.8 using Software Update.
3. Download El Capitan here.
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 of 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 an 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 launch automatically, but you can click Cancel and copy the file you need. Below is the detailed instruction 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.
- Start your Mac holding down Command + R.
- Prepare a clean external drive (at least 10 GB of storage).
- Within OS X Utilities, choose Reinstall OS X.
- Select external drive as a source.
- 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 do a 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.
- Boot your Mac from your standard drive.
- Connect the external drive.
- 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 it 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 Sierra
Instruction to downgrade from macOS High Sierra
Instruction to downgrade from macOS Mojave
Instruction to downgrade from macOS Catalina
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 machine (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 nearest local Apple Store. They should have image installations going back to OS Leopard and earlier. You can also ask their assistance to create 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.
Apple computers run the Mac OS X, the second most used operating system in the world. It’s been more than 14 years after it was unveiled and since then, it has been praised for its simplicity, intuitiveness, and aesthetic quality.
It is textbook Apple, prioritizing user convenience above everything else, introducing elements and programs which contribute to giving users an optimum computing experience. Since 2001, it has evolved from being a big cat into a granite mountain sitting proudly in one of California’s most treasured parks.
The OS X changed the way we interact with our computers and it’s interesting to see how it progressed from obscurity into being a mainstay in homes around the world. Let’s take a look at its story:
Mac OS X 10 Public Beta
Prior to the release of the first Mac OS X version, the public beta, known inside Apple as Kodiak, was released by the company to developers to test the operating system and create software in time for the final release.
It is the first operating system to introduce the Aqua user interface – which is still used up until today. It was launched in September 2000 and it cost $29.95 to purchase. It became unsupported after March 24th 2001.
Mac OS X 10.0 Cheetah
Apple started the trend of naming its operating systems after big cats with Mac OS X 10.0, code name: Cheetah. It was the final nail in the coffin for Mac OS 9 and was released in March 24, 2001. It introduced the Dock, Mail, TextEdit, and still had Sherlock.
However, it was negatively received by the public for a variety of reasons:
- It required 128 RAM at a time when the standard for Apple-made computers were at 64 MB.
- The Aqua UI was slow and sluggish: the earlier operating systems were faster compared to it.
- It had stability issues and was riddled with numerous bugs which caused kernel panics.
- Hardware and compatibility issues, like missing DVD playback, not having a CD burning feature, and missing hardware driver issues.
The Cheetah as priced at $129, but it was so bad that it wasn’t worth the money and it rendered Apple to offer the next version for free.
Mac OS X 10.1 Puma
It was introduced later in September 2001, six months after Cheetah was released. It was handed out free of charge to Cheetah users. Though it fixed several bugs and areas where the Cheetah was lacking, it was not a significant upgrade and system crashes were still a norm.
Unlike its predecessor, Puma now had CD and DVD burning capabilities, playback support, and introduced several performance enhancements.
Mac OS X 10.2 Jaguar
Unlike the Cheetah and Puma, Apple the operating system’s code name, Jaguar, for marketing and advertisement purposes. It was released nearly a year after Puma, at August 24, 2002. The released featured single installation versions and family packs, which allowed it to be installed to up to five devices.
It was well-received by most Mac users, considering that most of the performance issues in the previous versions were addressed. It includes features which are still present in Macs up to this day, like MPEG-4 support for Quicktime, the Address Book, and Inkwell. Its most significant additions were Apple Mail and a messaging client called iChat, which was subsequently replaced with the Messages app after Mountain Lion.
Mac OS X 10.3 Panther
The Panther was released to the public on October 24, 2003, more than a year after Jaguar’s release. It was one of Apple’s biggest releases, considering that it introduced numerous updates and features (150, as claimed by Apple), including:
- Finder, which had a new live search engine.
- TextEdit, which became compatible with Microsoft Word docs.
- Exposé, which helps users manage their Windows.
It’s biggest change and addition is the introduction of the Safari browser, which effectively replaced the Internet Explorer. It needed at least 128 MB of RAM to run. It also introduced XCode, Apple’s developer tool which helps develop applications, along with FileVault which is used to encrypt data.
Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger
The Tiger was met with a roaring reception after it was made public on April 29, 2005 – it became Apple’s bestselling operating system, selling over two million copies within six weeks after release. The heatwave mac os. It boasted a slew of new features, including:
- Spotlight – it effectively replaced Sherlock as the OS X internal search engine.
- Mail 2 – a newer and improved version of the Mail app.
- Dashboard – an app which featured widgets like a world clock, weather, and unit converter.
- Dictionary – this uses the New Oxford American Dictionary.
Tiger also introduced Automator, Grapher, and Quicktime 7.
Mac OS X Leopard 10.5
As the successor to Tiger, the Leopard had big shoes to fill – and it did so to full capacity. It was released two years after its predecessor and was priced at $129 for the desktop version and $499 for the server one. According to Apple, it brought over 300 new features and numerous improvements. The notable ones include:
- Security enhancements such as application signing, sandboxes, and library randomization.
- Time Machine, a utility tool which allows the user to back up deleted or replaced files.
- Quick Look, this allows documents to be viewed on a separate application without having to open them.
- iCal now allows calendar sharing and group scheduling. It is also closely synced with the Mail app as well and the icon shows the date even when not in use.
Apart from these, Spaces and Boot Camp are also pre-installed.
Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard
The Snow Leopard was priced at a pretty affordable $29, a huge markdown from the previous versions which cost a hundred dollars more. In terms of features, it did not deliver a lot considering that Apple focused more on performance and stability. It was more of an upgrade to the Leopard instead of a totally new operating system.
Here’s a list of improvements and upgrades separating it from the Leopard: R place clone mac os.
- It freed up hard disk space considering that it was relatively smaller compared to the Leopard. It managed to give users an extra seven gigabytes of storage space.
- The Finder was completely rewritten in Apple’s native application programming interface Cocoa, making it faster and more responsive.
- A faster Safari browser and new features such as Top Sites, Cover Flow, and VoiceOver.
Snow Leopard also made improvements on the user interface which were more centered in making it easy to use.
Mac OS X 10.7 Lion
It was unveiled in October 2010 and was released to the public on July 1, 2011. It supported multi-touch features to the Mac and applications now open in the same state as they were closed, just like in the iOS. Speaking of the mobile operating system, the Lion also took a leaf out of its book, including a better and more navigable application display. The OS X notification also debuted in the operating system.
The Lion also included support for the Mac App Store and could support emojis.
OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion
As of OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion, Apple dropped “Mac OS X” and started marketing its operating systems as OS X. It was released in July 25 2012 and introduced new features which are present in the iOS 5, including the Game Center, iMessage support, Reminders as a separate app from iCal, which in turn was renamed to Calendar. Notes – and iOS app – was also added in the operating system which can then be synced to other Apple devices.
It sold 28 million copies in its first year, making it one of the most successful operating systems released by Apple. Las nubas (beta) mac os.
OS X 10.9 Mavericks
Mac Os Mojave
Apple stopped naming its operating systems after big cats in OS X 10.9, which was named after a surfing spot in California. The default desktop background would suggest that.
It was released in October 23, 2013 as a free update. In a nutshell, Mavericks emphasized prolonged batter life and close integration with iOS. It was a significant update for Apple fans, given that it brought Apple Maps to the OS X, improved iCloud integration, and had the iBooks application.
OS X 10.10 Yosemite
If you haven’t upgraded your operating system to the current version, you might still be running Yosemite. It followed the landmark-based naming scheme Apple started with Mavericks – this time it was named after a prominent national park in California. The biggest change is the graphic interface, which now featured flat designs like those in iOS, effectively replacing skeumorphism.
Yosemite continued integrating with iOS, while a later version (10.10.3) replaced iPhoto and Aperture with Photos. It was released last year, July 24, 2015.
OS X 10.11 El Capitan
El Capitan was released just a month ago, and completely stabilized and improved from Yosemite’s flaws. While it’s not a feature-rich update, it hosts a slew of improvements starting from the Safari browser, Apple Maps, and the new Split-screen feature, which allows users to work on two programs at the same time.
Mac Os Versions
The release was met with positive reviews, praising its multi-tasking features and better iOS integration.