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. Once you’ve established your Mac is compatible with a particular version of OS X, you need to download the installer for that version.
Finding and downloading an old version of macOS.
Once you have the bootable disk image file from Parallels (yeah, unfortunately you need Parallels for this but you can use a free trial if you do not have a license) you can convert this into a DMG file like so: 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. If your Mac appears in the list of supported models, then you should be able to downgrade macOS that version. First, the installer might contain malware. Some websites might offer old versions of OS X for download, but we recommend avoiding them. There might be old copies of Lion, Mountain Lion, and even Snow Leopard for sale on sites like eBay.
Parallels will then prompt you to create a bootable disk image file (*.hdd format). Apple will email you an unlock code, which you can redeem in the Mac App Store. However, it doesn’t always work that way. There you’ll find all the installers you can download. Answers Download macOS installer It turns out you can still download macOS versions from the App Store, using direct links, even though its not visible in the Purchased section any more (probably requires previous purchase, but not sure).
Just choose "Install Windows or another OS from a DVD or image file" and then select the installation image. 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. To get the latest features and maintain the security, stability, compatibility and performance of your Mac, its important to keep your software up to date. It will start downloading in the Settings app this is expected.Īlthough you obviously won't be able to run the installer from a newer macOS, you can create a virtual machine easily as Parallels will offer to install the OS for you. How to get old versions of macOS If your Mac isnt compatible with the latest macOS, you may be able to upgrade to an earlier macOS, such as macOS Big Sur, Catalina, Mojave or High Sierra. Here are the links to a few recent versions: It turns out you can still download macOS versions from the App Store, using direct links, even though it's not visible in the Purchased section any more (probably requires previous purchase, but not sure).