Download previous macos versions

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getafix33

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Hi

Does anyone have a reliable link to download previous versions of Macos. Looking for Mojave, HighSierra, Sierra and El Capitan.

I believe you can use dosdude or something like that but am not sure how secure it is.

Thanks
 
They hide them on the store, but you can reliable grab them from the Apple site if you know where to look.

Examples:

How to download and install macOS - Apple Support

Download and install current or previous versions of the Mac operating system on compatible Mac computers.
support.apple.com support.apple.com

How to download and install macOS - Apple Support

Download and install current or previous versions of the Mac operating system on compatible Mac computers.
support.apple.com support.apple.com

How to download and install macOS - Apple Support

Download and install current or previous versions of the Mac operating system on compatible Mac computers.
support.apple.com support.apple.com

macOS – Official Apple Support

Find out how to set up and use macOS. Find all the topics, resources and contact options you need for macOS.
support.apple.com

1.) Pro tip - Google for "how to upgrade to macos VERSION_YOU_WANT_HERE"
2.) Select the Apple launch page for that release and look for the link "Get macOS VERSION_YOU_WANT_HERE from the App Store"
3.) Because I'm a nice guy I provided all the links for you above ;)
 
jsheed_sa said:
They hide them on the store, but you can reliable grab them from the Apple site if you know where to look.

Examples:

How to download and install macOS - Apple Support

Download and install current or previous versions of the Mac operating system on compatible Mac computers.
support.apple.com support.apple.com

How to download and install macOS - Apple Support

Download and install current or previous versions of the Mac operating system on compatible Mac computers.
support.apple.com support.apple.com

How to download and install macOS - Apple Support

Download and install current or previous versions of the Mac operating system on compatible Mac computers.
support.apple.com support.apple.com

macOS – Official Apple Support

Find out how to set up and use macOS. Find all the topics, resources and contact options you need for macOS.
support.apple.com

1.) Pro tip - Google for "how to upgrade to macos VERSION_YOU_WANT_HERE"
2.) Select the Apple launch page for that release and look for the link "Get macOS VERSION_YOU_WANT_HERE from the App Store"
3.) Because I'm a nice guy I provided all the links for you above ;)
Click to expand...

Thanks mate, but I have tried those all before and get the message ".......this version is too old to be opened on this version of Macos."
It then suggests I download and install Catalina.
 
getafix33 said:
Thanks mate, but I have tried those all before and get the message ".......this version is too old to be opened on this version of Macos."
It then suggests I download and install Catalina.
Click to expand...

Then you're doing it wrong.

1.) The dmg files are easily accessible on those pages
2.) As are the App Store links for the newer releases

Where are you seeing these errors? When installing the OS or when trying to download the OS? I just tested and those all seem to work for me (even though I'm running Catalina) - so I can't see any reason why they shouldn't work for you.

El Capitan

Sierra

High Sierra

Mojave
 
jsheed_sa said:
Then you're doing it wrong.

1.) The dmg files are easily accessible on those pages
2.) As are the App Store links for the newer releases

Where are you seeing these errors? When installing the OS or when trying to download the OS? I just tested and those all seem to work for me (even though I'm running Catalina) - so I can't see any reason why they shouldn't work for you.

El Capitan

Sierra

High Sierra

Mojave
Click to expand...


Thanks for the help.

The direct .dmg downloads are fine, but the ones linked to the AppStore open and show the correct OS (eg, HighSierra) but when I click on Get, it looks for a software update and then I get the error message. It then shows the latest OS available (Catalina)
 

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Last edited:
getafix33 said:
Thanks for the help.

The direct .dmg downloads are fine, but the ones linked to the AppStore open and show the correct OS (eg, HighSierra) but when I click on Get, it looks for a software update and then I get the error message. It then shows the latest OS available (Catalina)
Click to expand...

Odd - I can download them for you if you like and reshare?

Then to confirm no malware / shennaigans you can just compare the md5sum to the original Apple md5sum.
 
getafix33 said:
Thanks for the help.

The direct .dmg downloads are fine, but the ones linked to the AppStore open and show the correct OS (eg, HighSierra) but when I click on Get, it looks for a software update and then I get the error message. It then shows the latest OS available (Catalina)
Click to expand...

Oh I duplicated your steps now and I KNOW exactly what's wrong.

The file is downloading, but the error you're seeing is due to the fact that it won't install an OLDER version over a NEWER version.

To find your installers go to (GUI):

Finder --> Applications --> Install macOS High Sierra (or whatever other version) and just copy this installer and re-use on whatever machine you wish to.

OR via terminal:

$ cd /Applications/
$ ls | grep -i install
Install macOS High Sierra.app

As we can see it's the full installer:

$ du -skh Install\ macOS\ High\ Sierra.app/
4.9G Install macOS High Sierra.app/

Should you wish to make bootable USB's for new installations, then you can simply download DiskmakerX and point it at the relevant installers you just downloaded, to do so:

DiskMaker X

diskmakerx.com diskmakerx.com
 
jsheed_sa said:
Oh I duplicated your steps now and I KNOW exactly what's wrong.

The file is downloading, but the error you're seeing is due to the fact that it won't install an OLDER version over a NEWER version.

To find your installers go to (GUI):

Finder --> Applications --> Install macOS High Sierra (or whatever other version) and just copy this installer and re-use on whatever machine you wish to.

OR via terminal:

$ cd /Applications/
$ ls | grep -i install
Install macOS High Sierra.app

As we can see it's the full installer:

$ du -skh Install\ macOS\ High\ Sierra.app/
4.9G Install macOS High Sierra.app/

Should you wish to make bootable USB's for new installations, then you can simply download DiskmakerX and point it at the relevant installers you just downloaded, to do so:

DiskMaker X

diskmakerx.com diskmakerx.com
Click to expand...

Thanks for the help. I thought I wasnt going crazy.
 
Quick Question for all you MAC gurus, I have been given a Macbook Pro (2011) that had no hard disk in it, Bought a disk and am now trying to install OSX on it via USB, I have created my USB installer, boot with options key pressed, It sees the USB drive, but when i click on it after a while i get a black message telling me i have to restart my computer.

Any ideas?

PS I have tried Sierra, High Sierra, Leopard, El Capitan all with the same issue. Even tried different USB drives (USB2.0 / USB3)
 
HunterGR said:
Quick Question for all you MAC gurus, I have been given a Macbook Pro (2011) that had no hard disk in it, Bought a disk and am now trying to install OSX on it via USB, I have created my USB installer, boot with options key pressed, It sees the USB drive, but when i click on it after a while i get a black message telling me i have to restart my computer.

Any ideas?

PS I have tried Sierra, High Sierra, Leopard, El Capitan all with the same issue. Even tried different USB drives (USB2.0 / USB3)
Click to expand...

1st try to do all the resets, PRAM/NVRAM and SMC reset.

Did you create the proper bootable disk? You need to use a tool like Disk creator.
 
Rickster said:
1st try to do all the resets, PRAM/NVRAM and SMC reset.

Did you create the proper bootable disk? You need to use a tool like Disk creator.
Click to expand...
Thanks Rickster, Did all the resets, Created the USB boot disk on another macbook using Disk Creator, Tried different versions Of OSX (Seems only Leopard and Sierra) Work, But still not getting past that black screen (Googling told me its a kernel panic of some sort)
 
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