Old Mac Software Download Free

 

To get the latest features and maintain the security, stability, compatibility, and performance of your Mac, it's important to keep your software up to date. Apple recommends that you always use the latest macOS that is compatible with your Mac.

download free, software For Mac

Learn how to upgrade to macOS Big Sur, the latest version of macOS.

Check compatibility

Old Mac Software Free

Mac OS X Mountain Lion (version 10.8) is the nineth major release of Mac OS X (now named macOS), Apple’s desktop and server operating system for Macintosh computers. OS X Mountain Lion brings a lot of great things from iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch to the Mac. You can send iMessages. Get your Mac in on Game Center. Receive notifications. Establish instantly comprehensive, permanent, real-time remote access, control, and support through secure global network. Mac Icons - Download 204 Free Mac icons @ IconArchive. Search more than 600,000 icons for Web & Desktop here.

If a macOS installer can't be used on your Mac, the installer will let you know. For example, it might say that your Mac doesn't have enough free storage space for the installation, or that the installer is too old to be opened on this version of macOS.

Mac

If you want to check compatibility before downloading the installer, learn about the minimum requirements for macOS Catalina, Mojave, High Sierra, Sierra, El Capitan, or Yosemite. You can also check compatible operating systems on the product-ID page for MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, MacBook, iMac, Mac mini, or Mac Pro.

Free mac software download sites

Make a backup

Before installing, it’s a good idea to back up your Mac. Time Machine makes it simple, and other backup methods are also available. Learn how to back up your Mac.

Download macOS

It takes time to download and install macOS, so make sure that you're plugged into AC power and have a reliable internet connection.

These installers from the App Store open automatically after you download them:

  • macOS Catalina 10.15 can upgrade Mojave, High Sierra, Sierra, El Capitan, Yosemite, Mavericks
  • macOS Mojave 10.14 can upgrade High Sierra, Sierra, El Capitan, Yosemite, Mavericks, Mountain Lion
  • macOS High Sierra 10.13 can upgrade Sierra, El Capitan, Yosemite, Mavericks, Mountain Lion, Lion

Your web browser downloads the following older installers as a disk image named InstallOS.dmg or InstallMacOSX.dmg. Open the disk image, then open the .pkg installer inside the disk image. It installs an app named Install [Version Name]. Open that app from your Applications folder to begin installing the operating system.

  • macOS Sierra 10.12 can upgrade El Capitan, Yosemite, Mavericks, Mountain Lion, or Lion
  • OS X El Capitan 10.11 can upgrade Yosemite, Mavericks, Mountain Lion, Lion, or Snow Leopard
  • OS X Yosemite 10.10can upgrade Mavericks, Mountain Lion, Lion, or Snow Leopard

Install macOS

Follow the onscreen instructions in the installer. It might be easiest to begin installation in the evening so that it can complete overnight, if needed.

If the installer asks for permission to install a helper tool, enter the administrator name and password that you use to log in to your Mac, then click Add Helper.

Please allow installation to complete without putting your Mac to sleep or closing its lid. Your Mac might restart, show a progress bar, or show a blank screen several times as it installs both macOS and related updates to your Mac firmware.

Learn more

You might also be able to use macOS Recovery to reinstall the macOS you're using now, upgrade to the latest compatible macOS, or install the macOS that came with your Mac.

PowerPC Software

Take a look at what's available. We are sure you'll
find something to make your OS X experience better!
Just click on the title of the page you would like to visit ;)
Welcome to the PowerPC Archive, we hope you enjoy your stay!
Old mac software download, free 64-bit

Essentials

Here is where you find our recommended applications that are used on a day-to-day basis.

Utilities

Need some cool tools to do a bit more out of your Mac such as an alarm clock or benchmarks?
​

Productivity

Need a Word processor,
or get the full rundown on your stocks? Or sync files between computers?

Multimedia

So you want to watch that DVD you have next to you. Not a problem with a PPC! Still great for 720p!

Gaming

Have some downtime? Make the most of it and spend hours upon hours with these games.

Apple Downloads

Find updates for OS X. Such as Combo Updates (10.4.11, 10.5.8), QuickTime, iTunes, Java, iLife, iWork, and everything Apple!

Server Downloads

PowerPC Macs can still serve well as servers! File Sharing, Backups and NetBooting, we've found some software for you!

Customization

Want to make your Mac look like
a brand new Intel one with
themes, or screensavers?
We have a page just for that!

Shareware Apps

We tested shareware apps, however they can't be downloaded here. Don't worry, you can still find
some info out on them!
Old
Companies no longer carry firmware downloads for CPU upgrades from companies such as Sonnet, PowerLogix, and GigaDesign.
Many requested a separate page specific to Tiger, since most of our selection here is for OS X Leopard. Coming Summer 2016

OS 9 Software COMING SOON

To support the old classic machines, we will soon have a
selection of software that will work with these OS9 Macs.
Coming Fall 2016

What Macs do you Own?

We posted a poll to see what computer has the most votes. While a G5 may be a decent day-to-day computer, the G3's are vintage and still can do some amazing things such as being the jukebox at a party or a kitchen computer, or go to extreme lengths and use them as your daily machine!
The list is a bit long, so why not fill the text here! Quite a few people still have Power Mac G5s kicking around, and quite a few people have iMac G3s around as well. That's our guess of what still has the most ground in the PowerPC World. The PPC Archive team ourselves has a variety of machines, ranging from iMac G3s, Blue and Whites, iBooks, PowerBooks, and G5 systems!
Some, still have Xserve computers that they use! Crazy thought, a rack server as a main PPC mac, but hey it's still a Mac! All the computers on the list to the right are cool, and each one pushed Apple further and further into the modern world. No other PC was designed like the early 2000 Apple computers. Today, there is a boatload of all in one computers like the current iMac. All the laptops out there are out to beat the 'ultrabook' MacBook Air. Companies such as Dell and HP attempt to steal the design that makes the MacBook Pro what it is. People look at the Mac mini as a excellent home computer or to make a super cool TV Media Center Setup, or even go to the extreme and use one as a server for 30+ iMacs! All of these design terms were the same during the PowerPC era of time!
At the end of the day, Apple is still the one to beat!