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 |
- What you need to know is what operating system version originally came on the machine from the factory, not when you purchased it. (MacTracker will you this, but it only runs on a Mac, not a PC.) Mac's that came with 10.6.2 or earlier (including 10.4 and 10.5) can use the 10.6 white retail disk.
- G4's above 1GHz tend to be USB 2.0 late model G4 Macs that are only able to run Mac OS 9 in Classic Mode from an OS X installed system (unless user modified). I think that one exception to that rule is the G4 Mirrored Drive Doors (2003) 1.25GHz FireWire 400 model.
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:
Global Nav Open Menu Global Nav Close Menu; Apple; Shopping Bag +. Mac OS, operating system (OS) developed by the American computer company Apple Inc. The OS was introduced in 1984 to run the company's Macintosh line of personal computers (PCs). The Macintosh heralded the era of graphical user interface (GUI) systems, and it inspired Microsoft Corporation to develop its own GUI, the Windows OS.
- Uninstall large unused apps
- Empty Trash Bin and Downloads
- Locate the biggest files on your computer:
Roadwerks mac os. 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.
System Down Mac Os Download
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.
Control accessibility options with your keyboard and Siri
You can use these keyboard shortcuts to control accessibility options, or ask Siri to perform these functions. For example, ask Siri to 'Turn VoiceOver On.'
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Display Accessibility Options | Option-Command-F5 or triple-press Touch ID (power button) on supported models1 |
| Turn VoiceOver on or off2 | Command-F5 or Fn-Command-F5 or hold Command and triple-press Touch ID on supported models1 |
| Open VoiceOver Utility, if VoiceOver is turned on2 | Control-Option-F8 or Fn-Control-Option-F8 |
| Turn zoom on or off3 | Option-Command-8 |
| Zoom in3 | Option–Command–Plus sign (+) |
| Zoom out3 | Option–Command–Minus sign (-) |
| Invert colors4 | Control-Option-Command-8 |
| Reduce contrast | Control-Option-Command-Comma (,) |
| Increase contrast | Control-Option-Command-Period (.) |
1. MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2016), MacBook Pro (13-inch, Late 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
2. To use VoiceOver and VoiceOver Utility, you might need to turn on 'Use all F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys' in Keyboard preferences. You might also need to make VoiceOver ignore the next key press before you can use some of the other Mac keyboard shortcuts.
3. To use the zoom shortcuts, you might need to turn on 'Use keyboard shortcuts to zoom' in Accessibility preferences.
4. To enable this shortcut, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Keyboard. In the Shortcuts tab, select Accessibility on the left, then select 'Invert colors' on the right.
Use your keyboard like a mouse
You can use your keyboard like a mouse to navigate and interact with items onscreen. Use the Tab key and arrow keys to navigate, then press Space bar to select an item.
- Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Keyboard.
- Click Shortcuts.
- From the bottom of the preferences window, select 'Use keyboard navigation to move focus between controls.' In macOS Mojave or earlier, this setting appears as an 'All controls' button instead.
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Switch between navigation of all controls on the screen, or only text boxes and lists | Control-F7 or Fn-Control-F7 |
| Move to the next control | Tab |
| Move to the previous control | Shift-Tab |
| Move to the next control when a text field is selected | Control-Tab |
| Move the focus to the previous grouping of controls | Control-Shift-Tab |
| Move to the adjacent item in a list, tab group, or menu Move sliders and adjusters (Up Arrow to increase values, Down Arrow to decrease values) | Arrow keys |
| Move to a control adjacent to the text field | Control–Arrow keys |
| Choose the selected menu item | Space bar |
| Click the default button or perform the default action | Return or Enter |
| Click the Cancel button or close a menu without choosing an item | Esc |
| Move the focus to the previous panel | Control-Shift-F6 |
| Move to the status menu in the menu bar | Control-F8 or Fn-Control-F8 |
| Activate the next open window in the front app | Command–Grave accent (`) |
| Activate the previous open window in the front app | Shift–Command–Grave accent (`) |
| Move the focus to the window drawer | Option–Command–Grave accent (`) |
Navigate menus with your keyboard
To use these shortcuts, first press Control-F2 or Fn-Control-F2 to put the focus on the menu bar.
System Down Mac Os Catalina
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Move from menu to menu | Left Arrow, Right Arrow |
| Open a selected menu | Return |
| Move to menu items in the selected menu | Up Arrow, Down Arrow |
| Jump to a menu item in the selected menu | Type the menu item's name |
| Choose the selected menu item | Return |
System Down Mac Os 11
Use Mouse Keys to move the mouse pointer
System Down Mac Os X
When Mouse Keys is turned on, you can use the keyboard or numeric keypad keys to move the mouse pointer.
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Move up | 8 or numeric keypad 8 |
| Move down | K or numeric keypad 2 |
| Move left | U or numeric keypad 4 |
| Move right | O or numeric keypad 6 |
| Move diagonally down and to the left | J or numeric keypad 1 |
| Move diagonally down and to the right | L or numeric keypad 3 |
| Move diagonally up and to the left | 7 or numeric keypad 7 |
| Move diagonally up and to the right | 9 or numeric keypad 9 |
| Press the mouse button | I or numeric keypad 5 |
| Hold the mouse button | M or numeric keypad 0 |
| Release the mouse button | . (period) |
Learn more
- Change the behavior of the function keys or modifier keys
