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
Nektar Impact GX61 61-key Keyboard Controller 61-key USB Keyboard Controller with Transport Controls, 7 Assignable Buttons, Pitch Bend, Mod Wheel, and Pre-mapped DAW Configurations for Bitwig Studio, Cubase, Digital Performer, Garageband, Logic Pro, Nuendo, Reason, SONAR, Studio One, FL Studio, and Reaper - Mac/PC/iOS.
- Starting your Rails project with an ultra-light setup. Suppose that we need to create a Rails project that will use the classic ERB views and PostgreSQL.
- The Macintosh (mainly Mac since 1998) is a family of personal computers designed, manufactured, and sold by Apple Inc. Since January 1984. The original Macintosh is the first successful mass-market personal computer to have featured a graphical user interface, built-in screen, and mouse. Apple sold the Macintosh alongside its popular Apple II, Apple III, and Apple Lisa families of computers.
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.
Street Codeur Mac Os Download
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.
LAME and FFmpeg for Audacity(R) - Links to download free audacity mp3 plugin and free audacity ffmpeg plugin:
WINDOWS USERS: Windows downloads
Mac OS X USERS -> We offer both 64 and 32-bit libraries, CHOOSE APPROPRIATELY: 64-bit Mac OS X downloads and for (or 32-bit Mac OS X Downloads.
I am here to help! - Notify me immediately at [email protected] - Libraries downloaded from file my site are specifically tested to work with Audacity, on Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X. They are free of any virus or malware. BEWARE OF SUSPICIOUS LOOKING ADS.
if you need assistance, have a problem with my downloads or if youfind malware in any banner ad here. There is VERY important information on the PRIVACY section of this site, which I strongly suggest you read.
The files hosted here have NO malware. You can check a www.VirusTotal.comanalysis of this site by clicking here and of Lame_v3.99.3_for_Windows.exe HERE, and of ffmpeg-win-2.2.2.exe here.
Banners that look like BIG GREEN DOWNLOAD ARROWS are usually MALWARE. Avoid those banners.
In this site, and you will find Audacity-compatible plug-ins and libraries such as those needed forMP3 Encoding, or the FFmpeg library for wider file format support. This siteis NOT affiliated with Audacity(R) in any other way than by compatibility withit.
LAME is a library that allows some programs to encode MP3 files.LAME is free,but in some countries you may need to pay a license fee in orderto legally encode MP3 files.
Shmup (itch) (amazingman3) mac os. Audacity is a free and open source Audio Editor which allows you totransform ogg to mp3, transform mp3 to ogg, transform vinyls to mp3 or ogg, do anykind of home recording, remove noise, etc. Is WONDERFUL. I have used it torecord and mix some of my bands songs. Feel free to check out this page to download some songs.
To use LAME (or FFmpeg) with Audacity, you can put it anywhereyou want, but the first time you want to export an MP3 file,Audacity will ask you for the location of this file, so you willwant to remember where you put it.
TO DOWNLOAD Lame and FFmpeg for Windows, click links BELOW:
The Audacity(r) QA Team suggests users download the ZIP version instead of the .EXE or .DMG (for Mac) versions. If you use the installers, and Audacity does not detect LAME, download the ZIP option, extract the files inside to a well known folder, thenopen Audacity, go to Library Preferences and configure it to search on the well known folder you extracted the files to.
NOTICE: MacAfee and at least one other antivirus flags this site as unsafe, which is a false positive. FILES I HOST ARE SAFE, but always check your downloaded files with www.virustotal.com.RECOMMENDED Installer Package for Windows:Lame_v3.99.3_for_Windows.exe - (SHA256 SUM here)
ZIP OPTION:
libmp3lame-win-3.99.3.zip(Issues? Some help HERE)
If you need or want a newer version of Lame, because of the performance improvements with newer AMD and Intel processors, here is v3.100 in a ZIP file, known to work with Audacity 2.x. You can also find 3.98.2 that is known to work with 1.3.x
You can also download the standalone lame v3.100 exe by clicking here - (Virustotal Scan here, dont mind the one false positive with Qihoo-360 antivirus)
FFmpeg for Windows and latest Audacity versions
FFmpeg RECOMMENDED ZIP OPTION:ffmpeg-win-2.2.2.zipStreet Codeur Mac Os 11
FFmpeg 2.2.2 Binary for Windows, compatible with Audacity 2.0.6 and later (please update, or use v0.6.2 below)ffmpeg-win-2.2.2.exe - (SHA256 SUM here)
(FFmpeg is not for MP3 export for that you need LAME, see above
FFmpeg for older versions of Audacity
FFmpeg 0.6.2 Binary compatible with Audacity 1.3.13 to 2.0.5 only, on Windows:FFmpeg_v0.6.2_for_Audacity_on_Windows.exe- (ZIP version- here)
FFmpeg and LAME on macOS / Mac OS X
64-bit libraries for Audacity 2.3.1 and later
Audacity 2.3.1 on Mac is now a 64-bit application and thus requires 64-bit libraries for LAME and Ffmpeg.
It is recommended to use the .pkg installer versions (ZIP version is provided as alternative, PKG is better than DMG).
64-bit LAME for Mac OS X
Mac OSX 64 bit LAME mp3 library for Audacity 2.3.1 and above:
RECOMMENDED download:lame_64bit_osx.pkg
ZIP Alternative zip download:Lame_Library_64bit_MAC_OSX_for_Audacity_2.3.1_and_above.zip
For installation instructions please see LAME installation in the Audacity Manual.
64-bit FFMPEG for Mac OS X
Mac OSX 64 bit FFmpeg library for Audacity 2.3.1 and above:
RECOMMENDED download:ffmpeg_64bit_osx.pkg
Alternative zip download:FFmpeg64bit_MAC_OSX_for_Audacity_2.3.1_and_above.zip
For installation instructions please see FFmpeg installation in the Audacity Manual.
ATTENTION: 32-bit libraries for Audacity 1.3.3 to 2.3.0 (see above for 64bit libraries on Audacity 2.3.1+):
RECOMMENDED 32-bit Audacity 1.3.3 to 2.3.0 ONLY Installer Package for LAME on OSX:
Lame_Library_v3.99.5_for_Audacity_on_macOS.dmg - (Virustotal scan here [one false positive])
Same as above, but ZIP package:
Lame_Library_v3.99.5_for_Audacity_on_macOS.zip)
Alternative EXECUTABLE LAME for OSX (For Audacity 'External Program' method):
LAME_executable_v3.99.5_for_macOS.zip
32-bit OS X FFMPEG (_NOT_ for mp3 export) FFmpeg 2.2.2 ZIP for Audacity 2.0.6 or later on OS X 10.4 and later (Intel or PPC):
ffmpeg-mac-2.2.2.zip
Binary FFMPEG OSX Installer: DMG - ffmpeg-mac-2.2.2.dmg
FFmpeg Binary for Audacity 1.3.13 to 2.0.5 ONLY (see previous link for 2.0.6) OS X 10.4 and later(Intel or PPC):
FFmpeg (0.6.2 OSX 10.4+ DMG)(zip version here or if problems with the installer, try this new one)
VLC Downloads (updated 2019-01-11, version 3.0.6 and KernelEx 4.5.2, mirror of official downloads)
VLC 3.0.6 for 64-bit Windows (installer): vlc-3.0.6-win64.exe
VLC 3.0.6 for 32-bit Windows (ZIP PACKAGE): vlc-3.0.6-win32.zip
KernelEx 4.5.2 to run VLC in Windows XP (installer): KernelEx-4.5.2.exe
ATTENTION: 32-bit libraries for Audacity 1.3.3 to 2.3.0 (see above for 64bit libraries on Audacity 2.3.1+):
RECOMMENDED 32-bit Audacity 1.3.3 to 2.3.0 ONLY Installer Package for LAME on OSX:
Lame_Library_v3.99.5_for_Audacity_on_macOS.dmg - (Virustotal scan here [one false positive])
Same as above, but ZIP package:
Lame_Library_v3.99.5_for_Audacity_on_macOS.zip)
Alternative EXECUTABLE LAME for OSX (For Audacity 'External Program' method):
LAME_executable_v3.99.5_for_macOS.zip
32-bit OS X FFMPEG (_NOT_ for mp3 export) FFmpeg 2.2.2 ZIP for Audacity 2.0.6 or later on OS X 10.4 and later (Intel or PPC):
ffmpeg-mac-2.2.2.zip
Binary FFMPEG OSX Installer: DMG - ffmpeg-mac-2.2.2.dmg
FFmpeg Binary for Audacity 1.3.13 to 2.0.5 ONLY (see previous link for 2.0.6) OS X 10.4 and later(Intel or PPC):
FFmpeg (0.6.2 OSX 10.4+ DMG)(zip version here or if problems with the installer, try this new one)
VLC Downloads (updated 2019-01-11, version 3.0.6 and KernelEx 4.5.2, mirror of official downloads)
VLC 3.0.6 for 64-bit Windows (installer): vlc-3.0.6-win64.exe
VLC 3.0.6 for 32-bit Windows (ZIP PACKAGE): vlc-3.0.6-win32.zip
KernelEx 4.5.2 to run VLC in Windows XP (installer): KernelEx-4.5.2.exe