6/10 (150 votes) - Download macOS Catalina Mac Free. MacOS Catalina is the first version of the Apple computer operating system, previously known as OS X, to exclusively support 64-bit apps on the system. Version 10.15 of the Apple operating system for Mac PCs has been named after the southern.
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
We’ll be repeatedly referring to these Apple OS versions below, so it’s good to know the basic macOS timeline.
- High Sierra emphasizes the already-existing benefits of MacOS previous system, Sierra. There are few bells and whistles, but the changes are noticeable and positive. The Apple file system is the most significant feature it brought. It enables the storage and encryption of a large number of files. Thus, it boosts performance and helps manage.
- I need to updated 10.14 to 10.15 and the built in OS update is not working. So thought I would just download the 10.15 DMG and update that way and then run all 10.15 updates available. I googled for it but only some weird websites came up serving questionable copies.
- What's new in macOS Update 10.15.7: Usually, the macOS software updates are handled automatically either by the built-in Software Update tool, or by the Mac App Store application, depending on the macOS version you are running. However, on the Apple support page, there are also direct downloads for each patch, which can be saved to the disk.
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.
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
Mac Os 10.15 Download Dmg
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
Mac Os 10.15.1 Download
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.
Mac Os 10.15.5 Download
The Mac OS Catalina 10.15 has been extensively praised for all the new features that have been added to make the Mac more user-friendly and interactive. Its ability to allow the Mac to connect with the iPad has been seen as one of its biggest strengths. However, its inability to run 32-bit applications which have been a huge part of the Apple library has pushed many users away. Nevertheless, it is an interesting attempt by Apple to give new life to the Mac that has had so many Roses come before it.
Mac OS Catalina is the latest version of the Mac OS family. It succeeded Mac OS Mojave and is the predecessor to the Mac OS Big Sur that is going to be released in 2020. This OS has received praise for the new features that it has included but also received some criticism for its unreliability.
Features of macOS Catalina 10.15 ISO:
The following are a few features of Mac OSCatalina 10.15:
- Sidecar- This feature allows the user to pair their iPad and Mac together where the iPad acts as an external display. The user should run macOS Catalina and Mac OS Mojave 10.14 on their Mac and iPadOS on their iPad before they start doing this. They will then have to connect their devices by turning on their AirPlay. Images from the Mac can then be dragged onto the iPad where an Apple Pencil can be used to work on the images according to the wish of the user.
- Voice Control- Voice Control allows the user to input their commands to the Mac in the form of their voice. This means that they will be able to do all the things that they used to do with their mouse with their voice instead. The user’s voice can be used to navigate through the icons on the taskbar and can also assist them in their daily activities such as checking their gallery or sending emails. This makes utilizing the Mac much easier than before especially for those who may not be very comfortable with the mouse and keyboard.
- Syncing from Mac to other Apple devices- The user can now sync features from their Mac to their Apple devices. In order to do this, they will have to connect their Mac and the other Apple device with the help of a cable. Then, they must open a Finder window on their Mac. After this, they should select their device on the sidebar under Locations. On completing this, they should be able to sync their music, movies, TV shows, audiobooks, books, photos, and files with their Apple device.
- Catalyst- This feature allows developers to port apps from their iPad to their Mac. Here are some of the apps that are available through Catalyst for the Mac:
- LookUp- This is an English dictionary application that is aimed at helping users learn English. In the Mac, there are extra features that make this app even better than it was before.
- Planny 3– Planny helps users remember everything they have to do for a particular day and helps them organize their tasks like a personalized to-do list.
- Rosetta Stone- This can be used to learn a new language in an effective and highly interactive way. Users who may not be keen about other language apps can turn to Rosetta Stone for an immersive and fun-filled language learning experience.
- Allegory- Allegory will help the user take quick notes and offers an attractive user interface that is highly welcoming and easy to use.
- Jira- Jira allows users to switch between their projects on the Mac with great ease. This is a fantastic project management app that will definitely be of fine use.
- Proloquo2Go- For those who struggle with their speech and communication, Proloquo2Go is a fantastic way for them to connect with others through interactive images that will help them get their thoughts across.
- Gatekeeper- This is used to enforce security in the Mac. It checks apps for their validity before allowing them to run and only those that pass the security check will be allowed to be downloaded on to the Mac.
Steps to download macOS Catalina 10.15
These are the steps that have to be followed in order to download macOS Catalina 10.15:
- Check the compatibility of thecurrent system- The Mac product that the person is using must be compatible with Mac OS Catalina 10.15 so that it can be downloaded. The following models are compatible:
- MacBook(2015 and onwards)
- Mac Pro(2013 and onwards)
- MacBook Air(2012 and onwards)
- MacBook Pro(2012 and onwards)
- Mac mini(2012 and onwards)
- iMac(2012 and onwards)
- iMac Pro(all)
The user’s Mac must also have at least 4 GB of memory and 12.5 GB of storage space that is available to be used.
- Backing up the system- All the files on the Mac can be backed up using Time Machine(readily available on the Mac). Files that may have been deleted can be recovered from here whenever required.
- Proceed to download macOS Catalina- If the user has a previous version of the Mac OS (in this case macOS Mojave), they can go to the System Preferences under their Apple Menu and perform a software update. If they do not have the version before, they can download it from the App Store.
- Take care of the installation process- The installation process can now be started. The instructions that are given should be carefully followed by the user and they should wait for the installation to be completed(this may take a long time).
This is what has to be done in order to get the macOS Catalina 10.15 ISO and DMG images:
- Go to the Terminal and follow the required steps- These are the steps that have to be followed and a set of commands will be available for each one which should be entered into the command prompt:
- Create a DMG image- The user should go to the terminal and start by creating a DMG image. This can either be done by typing in the command or it can be directly downloaded online using a link.
- Mount the image to the macOS
- Create macOS Catalina Installer
- Unmount Catalina disk
- Convert the DMG image into an ISO file
Final Words – Download macOS Catalina 10.15 ISO & DMG Image
We hope that you are satisfied with the information we have delivered to you. If you are a Mac user and you still do not have Mac OS Catalina 10.15 ISO, then you should download Mac OS Catalina 10.15 ISO as it helps you with a good amount of features and smooth functioning. Also, it is extremely handy and easy to function. Download Mac OS Catalina 10.15 ISO and keep your operating system up-to-date. If you have any queries regarding the download of Mac OS Catalina 10.15 ISO you can drop down your concern in the comment section and we will get back with the solution in minimum time.