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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.

1. Install Os X Yosemite App

Aug 20, 2020. On a computer running OS X Yosemite it is possible to see versions of Mac OS X in the Mac App Store. Yosemite, Mavericks and Mountain Lion can all be seen here. Sep 30, 2015.

Nov 29, 2017. Sep 03, 2015.

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.

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:

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 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.

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 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.

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 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:

The OS received considerable praise for its new simplified user interface. The toolbars were also found to be much easier to use. The technical leaps that were made with Yosemite were critically acclaimed and many agreed that it would be hard to return to the preceding OS X Mavericks after trying out OS X Yosemite.

OS X Yosemite was criticized for its inconsistent network stability. Users also found out that the Finder feature did not allow them to look through the contents of certain folders. The Continuity feature was also not found to be completely spotless in its working.

The Mac OS X Yosemite 10.10 ISO varied from its successors with progressive highlights that pulled the working framework into radical development in the market. Here are a few highlights you should not miss in the event that you are a Mac OS client.

Overall, the sleek new user design and technical improvements made OS X Yosemite a formidable OS in its time.

Productive Features of Mac OS X Yosemite 10.10

Take a look at some of the new features and improved pre-existing ones that Mac OS X Yosemite has to offer:

• Handoff (Continuity)- This is a feature that will allow users to connect between their Mac and iOS devices. The Handoff feature should be enabled in both devices. Then, if the user performs an action on their iOS device, they will be able to continue it from exactly the same place on the Mac.
• Phone calls- Users will now be able to make phone calls on their Mac. It may take some time to get used to the fact that the Mac will start ringing when this feature is enabled. SMS text messages are now also viewable on the Mac.
• AirDrop- This was already introduced in iOS 7 but this is the first time that the Mac is getting an opportunity to implement its functionalities. Now, users will be able to share photos and videos between their devices easily once the feature has been enabled in their Mac.
• Markup Feature in Mail- If there is an attachment to be sent in the mail, it can be edited directly in the same Window. The user is also able to insert text and draw whatever they want.
• Spotlight- Users will now be able to get web results for their searches under Spotlight. They will also get directions to wherever they need to go from Apple Maps.
• Today- This is a new feature that has been introduced under the Notification Center. Today displays various pieces of information and updates to the users.

Steps to download OS X Yosemite 10.10 ISO/DMG files

These are the steps that have to be followed to download OS X Yosemite:

Check if the model is compatible with OS X Yosemite 10.10

The user’s Mac has to be compatible with Mac OS X Yosemite 10.10 and Mac OS High Sierra. If this condition is not satisfied, the download will fail. The following models have been found to be compatible with OS X Yosemite:

• MacBook(2009 and onwards)
• Mac mini(2009 and onwards)
• Mac Pro(2008 and onwards)
• MacBook Air(2008 and onwards)
• Mac Pro(2008 and onwards)
• Mac Pro(2008 and onwards)
• MacBook Pro(2007 and onwards)
• iMac(2007 and onwards)

In order to download OS X Yosemite 10.10, the user’s Mac must have a minimum of 2 GB of memory and 8 GB of available storage space.

Backup the system before the download

The user can rest assured knowing that their important files will be properly backed up using Time Machine. An external storage device will have to be connected to the user’s Mac. This will act as the destination to which all the files on the Mac will be backed up to. The user can retrieve their files from this location whenever they may require them.

Ensure that the Mac has a strong Internet Connection

The Mac must have a strong Internet connection so that there are no unnecessary interruptions in the download process and it can be completed without any hitches.

Download OS X Yosemite 10.10

The user can upgrade their OS using the App Store or download the OS using an online link.

Install the required installer

The downloaded file must be selected. There will be a file inside which contains the required installer. On opening it, the user will be able to start the installation process.

Start the installation process

The user should select the installer as mentioned previously so that the process may begin. The instructions that will be displayed should be followed carefully.

Wait for the installation to be completed

While the installation process takes place, the user should neither turn on the Sleep option nor close Mac’s lid. Once the process is complete, the user will be able to experience OS X Yosemite for themselves.

These are the steps that the user has to follow in order to obtain the ISO file:

After OS X Yosemite has been installed, its image file will be present inside Applications.

• The image file will have to be used in order to get the required ISO file.

For the following steps, the user will have to carefully enter the commands in the Terminal as even as a small mistake may result in errors:

• The installer image file should be mounted.
• The boot image should be converted into a sparse bundle.
• The capacity of the bundle should be increased so there will be space for all of the required packages.
• The bundle should now be mounted.
• The package link should be removed and replaced with the actual files.
• The installer image should be unmounted.
• The sparse bundle should be unmounted.
• The partition in the bundle should be resized so that unnecessary free space is removed.
• The bundle should be converted into an ISO master.
• The sparse bundle should be removed.
• The ISO should be renamed and brought to the Desktop.

Download Mac OS X Yosemite 10.10 ISO / DMG Files

Install Os X Yosemite App

If you have any doubts about the information that we have provided, please feel free to reach out to us in the comments box below and we will do our best to get back to you with the answers you need.