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
Jul 31, 2020. Powerful Mac apps that won't break the bank. There’s something of a misconception when it.
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.
These might also interest you:
Mac has introduced many operating systems, but this, Mac Operating System X snow leopard version 10.6 is best among all the operating system. Mac designed this in a way to make it compatible with all the latest devices of apple. The company aimed to develop this in order to reduce the memory footprint, enhance the efficiency and to get high performance. The purpose was to get a better version by refining the old mac versions of OS.
For efficient programming and boost up the operating system, download Mac Operating System X Snow Leopard version 10.6 latest version for free. And enjoy the appreciable features introduced by the Mac.
Overview Snow Leopard Version 10.6
Among all products of Mac OS, this is the seventh operating system that was introduced with the aim of achieving high performance and efficient work. The very first idea of Snow Leopard was presented in the Apple’s Conference and late on in 2009, 28 August this was publically unveiled.
It first came as the single licensed at 29 USSD dollars. Taking all the previous versions of Mac OS X snow leopard in consideration The Company aimed to develop this in order to reduce the memory footprint, enhance the efficiency and to get the high performance. The purpose was to get a better version by refining the old mac versions of OS.
To take an overall advantage from the outclass features in the previous versions, all the features and software were rewritten keeping keen consideration to develop a refined form of Mac OS x snow leopard in the version 10.6
Many new programs were introduced that allowed the software designers to use graphics cards easily. Apple focusses more on the current line of Intel-based products, so this was the first after the version 7.1.1 that does not support the macs using the power Pc processor.
After this, other Operating systems were also introduced by the Mac, OS lion and OS tiger, but the snow leopard was the last to carry the 32-bit intel core processor and Intel Core Duo CPUs. This is why the Mac OS X snow leopard is still famous somehow.
It has been out of support for shipping since the 2014 but the Apple store makes it available to buy other than this it is available in boxed DVD-ROMs that are also approachable through Apple Stores.
Features of Snow Leopard Version 10.6
This version of mac was designed to achieve a better technological combo and efficient system application by refining all the previous versions’ features. Not just this, but many operational changes were made to reduce the footprint and interference with the user. Like one is the finer application. We have enlisted outclass features, with their requirements, of the Mac OS X snow leopard version 10.6, have a look below to overview why one should go for it.
Mac Store
The application store is built in now to support the iOS
Boot Camp
This is the system separation features that allows the user to copy and paste files from HFS+ partition. The boot camp requires window XP or Vista. This has improved cinema Displays as well.
Mac Finder
Mac Finder is among one of those programs that were taken very seriously to bring as much advantage as we can. For this purpose, these programs were rewritten Cocoa to gain maximum benefit from the new technology.
The finder requires internet connection of 128 kbs only but we highly recommend a connection worthy of 30 kbs.
iChat
This is the most wanted feature by the users. The quality of video chat has been enhanced up to the best level by improving the resolution in theater and lowering the upload bandwidth requirement.
For the iChat audio call, the internet connection is must be of 56 kbs
For making a video call, an internal built-in or external camera is required. It may be an insight camera, USB video class camera and FireWire VD with 128 kbs internet connection
MS Exchange Support
This is the only available Microsoft, the customers or users that are on prior software are needed to upgrade their system or to switch on Microsoft Entourage. Microsoft Exchange 2007 was the latest one that was integrated into Mil and address box.
It requires the Microsoft exchange server 2007 service pack 1. For auto setup, the auto-cover feature of MS exchange server is a must.
Time Booster (quick Time X)
This is the rewritten application carrying 64 bit Cocoa app. This was the next version of quick time framework and multimedia. To deliver the playback, it has been designed on the technology like core audio core video and core animation.
It supports the HTTP live streamlining and the feature of Color Sync enhance the results and display of the videos. It has the video decoding capabilities that reduces the CPU load but it can only be workable only if snow leopard gets installed on mac with nVidia Get fore 9400M or GT 330 graphic codes.
The requirements of Quick Time X involves the insight, USB class, and FireWire DV camcorder camera.
Multi-Touch
The snow leopard multi-touch trackpad is now introduced in the notebooks, removing the limitation of gestures. Now it enables the four finger gestures and improves the quality
Preview of files
This features to support the paragraph preview in the form of PDF and improves the readability.
Time Machine
Supported the connections and made them even faster than before.
For this, a separate hard drive is required or much other time capsule has been sold.
Safari 4
The issue of browser crashing has been removed by the introduction and support of Safari 4 feature. Crashes occurred due to the plugins or processing the browser in a separate processor. The other features of Safari 4 involve voice over, cover flow, expanded standards and built-in, etc.
Voice Over
Improves the reading of web
Rosetta
Make it compatible to work over the older system of older devices
Open CL
For open CL one of the following Graphic Card is required and needed.
- NVIDIA GeForce 9400M,
- GeForce 9600M GT,
- GeForce 8600M GT,
- GeForce GT 120,
- GeForce GT 130,
- GeForce GTX 285,
- GeForce 8800 GT,
- GeForce 8800 GS,
- Quadro FX 4800,
- Quadro FX5600
- ATI Radeon 4850, Radeon 4870
Other Features include
- Lightweight operating system
- Powerful operating system
- Photo booth availability
- Grand central dispatch
- Securities and multiple fixes
download free, software For Mac
Snow leopard version 10.6 has increased demand because of fascinating features and applications.
Technical Details of Snow Leopard version 10.6
- Publisher: Apple
- Publisher site: http://www.apple.com/
- Operating System: Mac / OS X 10.6 Intel
- Size of File: 6.1 GB
- Name of File: snowleopard_10a432.dmg
General Details Snow Leopard version 10.6
- License Model: Free
- Limitations: no limitations
- Price: Free
System Requirements Snow Leopard version 10.6
- Mac Intel Processor
- 1 GB of memory
- Disk space requirement is of 5 GB
- User must have DV driver Installed on the processor
- There are features that require a competent internet connection.
Download Mac Snow Leopard version 10.6
Mac Os software download, free
For efficient programming and boost up the operating system, download the Mac Operating System X Snow Leopard version 10.6 latest version for free. And enjoy the appreciable features introduced by the Mac.
The Mac OS X snow leopard is very efficient in working and if you are a beginner and do not have much idea then you are at the right place. Download this because it gives easy technical features that you can handle without facing difficulty at all. The process of installation is so simple, the programming is easy and smooth and is simple to take forever.
Mac Os X 10.7 software, free download
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