Download Old macOS Versions & Create Boot Stick (2024)

Whether you're preparing an older Mac for sale, solving software compatibility issues, or simply want to set up a clean system – a bootable USB stick with a specific macOS version is an indispensable tool. In this guide, we'll show you how to download official macOS versions directly from Apple and create a bootable installer.

A series of macOS logos from old to new.

From OS X El Capitan to macOS Sequoia: A bootable stick is the key to system recovery.

Step 1: Download Official macOS Versions from Apple

The safest way to obtain macOS is directly through the Mac App Store. Apple provides links for many older versions. Click the appropriate link to open the download page in the App Store.

macOS Version App Store Link
macOS Sequoia 15Download
macOS Sonoma 14Download
macOS Ventura 13Download
macOS Monterey 12Download
macOS Big Sur 11Download
macOS Catalina 10.15Download

*After download, the installer will be located as "Install macOS [Version Name].app" in the /Applications folder.

Step 2: Create Bootable USB Stick

We'll show you two methods: the official way via Terminal for advanced users and a user-friendly alternative for everyone else.

Method 1: The Official Way with Terminal

This is Apple's recommended method. It's reliable but requires concentration.

  1. Prepare USB stick: Connect a USB stick with at least 16 GB. Open Disk Utility, select the stick, click "Erase", name it `MyVolume` and choose the format `Mac OS Extended (Journaled)`.
  2. Open Terminal: Go to /Applications/Utilities and open the Terminal app.
  3. Copy and paste command: Copy the appropriate command for your downloaded macOS version and paste it into Terminal. Press Enter.

Terminal Commands for Different macOS Versions:

# macOS Sequoia
sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Sequoia.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume

# macOS Sonoma
sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Sonoma.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume

# macOS Ventura
sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Ventura.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume

# macOS Monterey
sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Monterey.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume

# macOS Big Sur
sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Big\ Sur.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume

Method 2: The Easy Way with Mist

For those who prefer a graphical interface, Mist is an excellent free tool that simplifies the entire process.

  1. Download Mist: Get it from GitHub
  2. Select macOS version: Choose your desired version from the list
  3. Create installer: Click "Create Bootable Installer" and follow the instructions

Frequently Asked Questions

Which macOS versions can I download?
You can download macOS versions from OS X El Capitan (10.11) up to the latest macOS Sequoia (15) directly from Apple's servers through the Mac App Store.

How much space do I need on the USB stick?
You need at least 16 GB of space on your USB stick for newer macOS versions. For older versions like El Capitan or Sierra, 8 GB may be sufficient.

Can I use an external SSD instead of a USB stick?
Yes, you can use any external storage device including SSDs, as long as it has enough space and can be formatted as Mac OS Extended (Journaled).

Author: Sadaghian Team

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