Global Nav Open Menu Global Nav Close Menu; Apple; Shopping Bag +. Here is how to get an older version of Mac OS X from the Mac App Store (this only works if you've downloaded it in the past and it won't work if you have already installed Mojave or Catalina): Open.
Have you noticed that once Apple releases a new version of the Mac operating system (macOS) that previous versions vanish from the App Store? Have you ever needed to reinstall one of these older versions of the Mac operating system (macOS)? It can be challenging to do this since Apple does not make older versions readily available unless you saved your own copy of the installer for the older version. I recently learned that some older versions are still available on the App Store.
[UpdateOctober2019 – Apple now offers a more straight forward way to download older versions of the Mac operating system (macOS) going back to OS X Yosemite (aka OS X 10.10).
Apple Support Web pages:
Links to App Store via Tidbits:
These installers have certificates that are valid until 2029.]
How To Download Old Mac Os X
This article on wphosting.tv has links for downloading some older versions of the Mac operating system (macOS). If you think you might ever need to install an older version then I recommend you download the installers now and then save the installer file so you can create your own install disk, if needed. This Apple support article currently provides instructions on how you can create your own installer disk for El Capitan, Sierra, High Sierra and Mojave. Alternatively you could use an application like DiskMaker X.
As of February 2019, Apple has links to get these versions from the App Store:
App Store links are not provided for older versions of the Mac operating system, such as El Capitan (10.11), Yosemite (10.10) or Mavericks (10.9). This is not a surprise since Apple only officially supports and maintains the 3 most recent versions of the Mac operating system (macOS).
Links are also provided for buying an installer from Apple for Mountain Lion (10.8), Lion (10.7) and Snow Leopard (10.6) Over the decades, Apple has vacillated on whether or not they charged for the Mac operating system. The most recent vacillation came with the introduction of OS X Mavericks (aka OS X 10.9) in 2013, when Apple switched to offering it for free. Prior to that, Apple charged for the Mac operating system since the introduction of Mac OS 8 in the late 1990’s.
How to get updates for macOS Mojave or later
If you've upgraded to macOS Mojave or later, follow these steps to keep it up to date:
- Choose System Preferences from the Apple menu , then click Software Update to check for updates.
- If any updates are available, click the Update Now button to install them. Or click ”More info” to see details about each update and select specific updates to install.
- When Software Update says that your Mac is up to date, the installed version of macOS and all of its apps are also up to date. That includes Safari, iTunes, Books, Messages, Mail, Calendar, Photos, and FaceTime.
To find updates for iMovie, Garageband, Pages, Numbers, Keynote, and other apps that were downloaded separately from the App Store, open the App Store on your Mac, then click the Updates tab.
To automatically install macOS updates in the future, including apps that were downloaded separately from the App Store, select ”Automatically keep my Mac up to date.” Your Mac will notify you when updates require it to restart, so you can always choose to install those later.
How to get updates for earlier macOS versions
If you're using an earlier macOS, such as macOS High Sierra, Sierra, El Capitan, or earlier,* follow these steps to keep it up to date:
- Open the App Store app on your Mac.
- Click Updates in the App Store toolbar.
- Use the Update buttons to download and install any updates listed.
- When the App Store shows no more updates, the installed version of macOS and all of its apps are up to date. That includes Safari, iTunes, iBooks, Messages, Mail, Calendar, Photos, and FaceTime. Later versions may be available by upgrading your macOS.
How To Download Mac Os
To automatically download updates in the future, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click App Store, then select ”Download newly available updates in the background.” Your Mac will notify you when updates are ready to install.
* If you're using OS X Lion or Snow Leopard, get OS X updates by choosing Apple menu > Software Update.
Download Mac Os X Free
How to get updates for iOS
Learn how to update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to the latest version of iOS.
Mac Osx Timeline
Learn more
Download Mac Os For Pc
- Learn how to upgrade to the latest version of macOS.
- Find out which macOS your Mac is using.
- You can redownload apps that you previously downloaded from the App Store.
- Your Mac doesn't automatically download large updates when it's using a Personal Hotspot.