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.
- For Mac users, select 'OS X hosts'. Run the file and follow the on-screen directions. You can launch VirtualBox from the Applications and 'Keep in dock' if desired. Step 2: Obtain the OVA file you would like to use. Students can obtain a Windows OVA file in a couple of different ways: McCombs Computer Services distributes an OVA file to.
- Mac computer with an Intel Core 2 Duo, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, or Xeon processor OS X Snow Leopard 10.6.6 or later or OS X Lion 10.7 already installed 2GB of memory.
A list of all Mac OS X versions
This page shows you how to install StudioCDN on your Mac OS X computer. – Mac must be running OS X 10.7 (Snow Leopard) or higher. Download the Installation File: 2. Uninstall any Previous Versions: Open Applications and see if you have a previous version of StudioCDN installed. If you do first drag any icons from the Dock onto Trash to. Download Leopard-X - Transform the appearance of your Windows XP into the one of Mac OS X, with the help of this simple-to-use tool that contains visual styles and a dock skin.
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.
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
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.
“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 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.
Tips on 10.2 Jaguar, 10.3 Panther, 10.4 Tiger, 10.5 Leopard (End of the line for PowerPC Macs), 10.6 Snow Leopard, 10.7 Lion, 10.8 Mountain Lion and 10.9 Mavericks,
10.10 Yosemite, and 10.11 El Capitan
Note: this tip, and the series of tips I've written from 10.3 to 10.9 all refer to Mac OS X client. The server edition may have different limitations. Please ask on the appropriate Server forum if you are interested in Mac OS X Server.
Mac OS X Sierra, to be released September 20, 2016 is the first Mac OS X not compatible with Macs that run Leopard, however is compatible with some Macs that were released with Snow Leopard. A new tip discussing Sierra will be linked on the Snow Leopard and later tips. There are some Macs that came with 10.4 that can install Mac OS X 10.11.
When determining your requirements for the operating system, see this tip: https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-6413 for your Mac model and age.
Be sure to backup your data first at least twice before installing any operating system. Shut down, and disconnect any peripherals before continuing with the installation. Read the info below to ensure you are compatible.
Not many will be updating directly from Mac OS X 10.1.5 or earlier to 10.5, but those who are should read this article on firmware updates.
Finally, you may need to use the Startup Manager to boot the operating system when the 'C' key doesn't work in order to get the installer to work or repair the disk before installation if the initial attempt to install fails. To determine if that repair is necessary, post to the forum, and someone will be able to help you to find out which repairs might be necessary.
Leopard (10.5) is not to be confused with Snow Leopard (10.6), which are totally different paid operating systems.
Flashback affected users in 10.5 can now rejoice. Apple has released a removal software, and patch for 10.5.8 on Intel Macs.
PowerPC users may generally not be a target, however, to be on the safe side, it still is recommended you disable Java. If you must install Java on 10.5 because you have a PowerPC Mac that only supports 10.5.8, the latest Java for 10.5.8 tip explains how to optimize your Java for 10.5.8. Otherwise if you have an Intel Mac, read how to upgrade to 10.6.8, which supports a better Java, although still not the latest Java.
Also don't install any software from a website not belonging to a vendor, unless recommended by people on the forum.
Ask first if uncertain.
Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) was release October 26, 2007. Some deciding to upgrade to Leopard, may benefit more from upgrading to Tiger first until all their applications have been upgraded. Use this tip to learn how. 10.5's 10.5.8 update is the newest operating system available for PowerPC Macs (G4 with 867 Mhz, 1Ghz or higher, and G5) that meet its requirements. Some G5 towers run better with this firmware update when installed before updating the version of Mac OS X that shipped with them. 10.5 is available occasionally by calling Apple online store's phone number, even though the website does not show it. Many want to upgrade to Leopard because of i-Devices (iPhone, iPad, iPod) bought saying iTunes 10 or later is recommended. To check if that really is required, look at the i-Device requirements section of this tip.
If your Mac is Intel, and running 10.4.11 or earlier, and meets the hardware requirements of 10.6 (Snow Leopard) , a less expensive upgrade solution is to upgrade to 10.6 directly. No need to upgrade to 10.5 unless your software won't run in Snow Leopard. And even some newer Intel Macs, can install 10.7 (from 10.6.6, or USB Flash drive version of 10.7 on an erase and install), and the newest can install 10.8 or 10.9 from 10.6.8. Use aforementioned 10.6 & 10.7 links to determine which might be better for you.
Also check to make sure you are using the retail installer, unless your Mac came with some version of 10.5. The retail installer looks like
and came in 10.5(.0 on October 26, 2007), 10.5.1 (November 15, 2007), 10.5.4 (June 30, 2008), and 10.5.6 (December 15, 2008) releases. It does not say Upgrade, Dropin, or OEM. These are the only 10.5 discs that will work with PowerPC Macs, and are the first retail releases that will work with Intel Macs that came with 10.4.11 or earlier. If your Mac is older than 10.5.6 you can at minimum use the 10.5.6 release. As long as it meets the requirements below, and is older than the date of those releases, it can use all of them. Macs newer than December 15, 2008 must use either the installer disc that shipped with them, or Snow Leopard installer. The disc that shipped with Macs with 10.5 is increasingly more difficult to find, and matching it up with a Mac, though this article can help identify which one it may be.
If installing on a hard drive for the first time, remember it is important you pick the correct formatting.
This listing on Macintouch covers Leopard incompatible software.
If part of your installing Leopard is bringing over data from a PowerPC Mac to an Intel Mac follow this tip.
Apple has a listing of compatible printers, phones with iSync, and compatible RAW photo formats for 10.5.
For Leopard you need
Mac Os Leopard Server
867 Mhz on a single processor or faster (1 Ghz and higher are faster).
256 MB of RAM (preferably 512MB of more based on arbitrary experience).
9 GB of hard disk space (arbitrary experience adds another 15%) free.
Macs newer than August 28, 2009 can't run Leopard, and require a minimum of Snow Leopard.
Mac OS X 10.5 is the earliest version of Mac OS X that will run iTunes 10. This is necessary for numerous i-Devices (iPad, iPhone, and iPods). To find out which require it, see this article
Should you require only iTunes 9, and are running a minimum of 10.4, backup your data at least twice, check in Apple menu -> About This Mac if you have a G3, G4, G5 (which is PowerPC), or Intel Core (which is Intel) make sure you are running 10.4.11 PowerPC or 10.4.11 Intel (depending on the aforementioned processors), and download iTunes 9.2.1. If you came here from running 10.3.9 or earlier read this tip on upgrading to Tiger first. The only reason you should upgrade to 10.5 is if some other software is required. The newest iTunes for PowerPC on 10.5 can be found here:
Note upgrading from an older Mac with only USB 1.1, one also has to consider only a few iPods were reasonably fast with those older Macs, or could get
power from them while connected.
Dual booting Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X 10.5, check this tip:https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-1757
Classic is not compatible with 10.5. 10.4.11 on a PowerPC Mac (G3, G4, or G5) or earlier is needed for Classic. Intel Macs do not support
Classic at all.
Boot Camp is only available on Intel Macs with 10.5 and higher. For more on this limitation, see Does any version of 10.5 offer Boot Camp for PowerPC Macs?
Time Machine backup software first appeared in 10.5
You have several options of installation which are explained here: https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-2209
10.5 has these combo updates which can be installed after backing up your data, and dismounting and disconnecting any data peripherals:
Download Mac Os Snow Leopard
10.5.1, 10.5.2, 10.5.3, 10.5.4, 10.5.5, 10.5.6, 10.5.7, 10.5.8
which some software may require as a minimum to be compatible with. 10.5.8 though is the only one where the most current security updates are available.
Combo updates may be installed on the same operating system version which was updated with Software Update, or the Delta update, to ensure no components are missing, as well as any version of 10.5 that is older.
All of which I recommend you backup your data at least twice before upgrading, and have sufficient disk space to install, and all your third party applications and drivers are known to be Leopard compatible, and after backing up your data you dismount and disconnect all but Apple keyboard and mouse and if there is an external display, that too. And just before you install repair permissions.
Note: Tiger introduced Spotlight, and that has been the available search engine ever since, that also controls the results under Finder's Find File. If you don't like Spotlight, these alternatives exist if you are only searching for the files by name or other attribute not contained within the file's content:
http://www.devontechnologies.com/products/freeware/ - EasyFind
http://www.osxbytes.com/ - iFileX (note the MacUpdate link provided on osxbytes page has a Malware advertisement for MacKeeper, do not download).
If any of the above terms confuse you, ask on the Discussions board what they mean, and one of the people who knows will gladly assist you.