Long Live The King Mac OS
Apple WWDC Apple has rolled out its plans for updating all four of its major operating systems.
The Windows OS merely coordinates the communication between those individual parts. If a Mac is a dinner party, a PC is the United Nations where everyone speaks Windows. So Why Do Macs Seem to. On January 27, 2016, after a long interval of support dormancy, Apple issued an update for the OS X App Store on OS X 10.6.8 (from 2011). That update was waiting in my OS X App Store Updates for that release of OS X. Apple does not communicate its support intentions for past OS X operating system releases. To view your Mac system logs, launch the Console app. You can launch it with Spotlight search by pressing Command+Space, typing “Console,” and then pressing Enter. You’ll also find it at Finder Applications Utilities Console. The Console app, also known as Console.app, is like a Windows Event Viewer for Mac. 'The king is dead, long live the king!' , or simply 'long live the king!' Is a traditional proclamation made following the accession of a new monarch in various countries. The seemingly contradictory phrase simultaneously announces the death of the previous monarch and assures the public of continuity by saluting the new monarch. In modern times, this phrase has become a popular phrasal template. Given the memorable nature of the phrase, as well as its historic significance, the phrase crops up r.
The 2016 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in San Francisco saw Apple showcase updates for iOS, OS X (now macOS), watchOS and tvOS. All four of the updates are being made available to developers today, with general release builds due to arrive this Fall.
Speaking to a packed Bill Graham Civic Auditorium (El Reg was not invited forsomereason), Apple CEO Tim Cook pushed major updates to the mobile and desktop platforms, as well as new developer tools and an education push.
OS ex-X
Among the most noticeable moves was a re-branding of Apple's oldest remaining software offering: the Macintosh operating system. Known for the last 15 years as 'OS X,' the operating system that helped drive Apple's resurgence in the early 2000s will now be known as 'macOS.' The new moniker will bring the brand in line with the iOS, tvOS and watchOS names.
Under the hood, the macOS 'Sierra' build will offer the ability to log on to a Mac via Apple Watch authentication, a new Universal Clipboard feature, new iDrive automation to optimize hard drive space (by storing little-used files and media in the cloud), and new file organization options.
The Sierra update will also introduce Siri functionality to the Mac. Using the built-in microphone on MacBooks and iMacs, the Apple assistant will be able to launch applications, perform basic scheduling and messaging tasks, and organize files.
Out with X, in with 10
Long Live The King Mac Os Catalina
Software engineering boss Craig Federighi was tasked with showing off the next version of iOS. The update for the iPhone and iPad operating system was hailed as the 'biggest ever' for Apple.
Among the new additions for iOS are new messaging, photo and phone applications from Apple, as well as updates to Siri and expanded 3D-touch and notification options.
The Cupertino giant is also opening up more parts of the operating system for developer use, adding APIs for Siri, Maps, and Messaging that will allow third-party apps to tie into more iOS functions. Other additions include a new app for the HomeKit platform and API calls that will let carriers include alerts on suspected spam robo-calls.
Watch TV, watch Watch
The Apple Watch will get more functionality as part of a push to make the wearable better-integrated with iOS and macOS apps and devices. In addition to letting you log into your Mac and control HomeKit appliances, the watchOS will include a new interface to better switch between apps, screens and watch faces.
A host of new health options will include new screens for monitoring activity and an 'SOS' function that automatically places an emergency call and sends medical ID information (such as allergies or health conditions) when the side button is held down.
For the Apple TV, this Fall will bring with it an update for the tvOS that will include new apps and the ability to sync apps with iOS and control the TV with a Siri software remote on the iPad or iPhone. Users will also get a single sign-on option for activating new app subscriptions and an automatic 'dark mode' to adjust for lighting conditions.
Developers, developers, developers, developers!
Cook chose to close out the developer conference keynote with a segment especially for the Apple coders who ponied up $1599 apiece for tickets they could purchase only if they won a lottery drawing.
Praising the third-party developers who make up Apple's ecosystem, Cook talked about how apps were 'changing the world,' and posted a doting video bigging up those who write software for iOS and macOS.
Cook also introduced a new educational app from Apple that aims to teach kids how to code. Dubbed 'Swift Playgrounds,' the app includes basic coding techniques and exercises aimed at getting young people to develop for the Swift programming language.
The Playgrounds app will be offered by Apple for free and has been designed specifically for the iPad. ®
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.
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
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
Mac Os Live Usb
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
Long Live The King Manga
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
Mac Os Versions List
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.