Jun 23, 2018 Whatever the older Macintosh computer is, to make it useful nowadays you’d likely want to find and download some old Mac software for it. This post will aggregate a collection of links and resources for finding and downloading old Mac software, including old Mac system software, old Macintosh applications, and more, for everything from older Intel Macs, to PowerPC Macs, to 68040. SHOUTcast Mac OS X server 1.9.2 for Macintosh - Run your own Shoutcast server - Download SHOUTcast Mac OS X server 1.9.2 here. See user reviews. Post your comments.
How to get updates for macOS Mojave or later
If you've upgraded to macOS Mojave or later, follow these steps to keep it up to date:
- Choose System Preferences from the Apple menu , then click Software Update to check for updates.
- If any updates are available, click the Update Now button to install them. Or click ”More info” to see details about each update and select specific updates to install.
- When Software Update says that your Mac is up to date, the installed version of macOS and all of its apps are also up to date. That includes Safari, iTunes, Books, Messages, Mail, Calendar, Photos, and FaceTime.
To find updates for iMovie, Garageband, Pages, Numbers, Keynote, and other apps that were downloaded separately from the App Store, open the App Store on your Mac, then click the Updates tab.
To automatically install macOS updates in the future, including apps that were downloaded separately from the App Store, select ”Automatically keep my Mac up to date.” Your Mac will notify you when updates require it to restart, so you can always choose to install those later.
How to get updates for earlier macOS versions
If you're using an earlier macOS, such as macOS High Sierra, Sierra, El Capitan, or earlier,* follow these steps to keep it up to date:
- Open the App Store app on your Mac.
- Click Updates in the App Store toolbar.
- Use the Update buttons to download and install any updates listed.
- When the App Store shows no more updates, the installed version of macOS and all of its apps are up to date. That includes Safari, iTunes, iBooks, Messages, Mail, Calendar, Photos, and FaceTime. Later versions may be available by upgrading your macOS.
To automatically download updates in the future, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click App Store, then select ”Download newly available updates in the background.” Your Mac will notify you when updates are ready to install.
* If you're using OS X Lion or Snow Leopard, get OS X updates by choosing Apple menu > Software Update.
How to get updates for iOS
Learn how to update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to the latest version of iOS.
Learn more
- Learn how to upgrade to the latest version of macOS.
- Find out which macOS your Mac is using.
- You can redownload apps that you previously downloaded from the App Store.
- Your Mac doesn't automatically download large updates when it's using a Personal Hotspot.
First, Apple provides many downloads of old software in their official Apple Support Downloads page. Obviously, this only includes Apple applications, but if you’re searching for older versions of iMovie, Pages, Keynote, the iLife Suite, older Mac OS X system updates, firmware upgrades and security updates, older versions of iTunes and QuickTime and similar Apple programs and software, it is a wonderful place to start.
The Apple Support Downloads page is most useful for finding software for newer older Macs, especially anything that’s running a version of Mac OS X, even if it’s no longer a verified or upgraded system software release, such as for Macs running Mac OS X Tiger 10.4 or Mac OS X Snow Leopard 10.6.5.
If you’re trying to extend the life span of such a Mac, the official Apple Support Downloads page can be very useful and give you older versions of iTunes, Safari, iLife, and more. Consider looking there first, there is a lot available! Just search for programs, system upgrades, and software packages by name.
Where to Find & Download Much Older Mac OS Software for Classic Mac OS, PowerPC, 040, etc
What about locating much older Mac OS software? Say, Mac OS 8 and Mac OS 9 system software, or System 7.5.2 and System 7.6.1? And what about apps for those much older Mac OS Classic system software releases for older PowerPC, 68040, and 68030 processors?
The following links may be helpful for that purpose, though keep in mind all of these are not officially supported by anyone, they are not sanctioned by Apple or any other developer, and most of the links are to what is considered abandonware software – meaning it’s old, no longer updated, or supported. But these type of resources are excellent for working with much older Macintosh computers, whether it’s an original Bondi Blue iMac, a G4 Cube, a Macintosh SE/30, Performa 6220, iBook, PowerBook 2400, or the whole array of pre-Intel Mac computers.
These links can also be helpful if you’re a retro emulator fan and you’re wanting to acquire a particular software package or library for local emulation, for example, you can use Mini vMac emulator to run System 7 and have an entire old Mac system installation right on top of your existing modern MacOS, or you can use third-party tools like Basilisk or SheepShaver for emulation on modern Macs too. But if you don’t want to commit to local emulation, you can also run Hypercard in retro Mac OS System in a web browser or run a web browser based Mac Plus emulator with Mac OS Classic too.
One thing to keep in mind when downloading software packages for much older Macintosh computers and system software versions is that while the software itself is often tiny in size (remember when Photoshop was under 1 MB??), getting those software packages onto the older Macs can be a challenge. Often the simplest way is to start an FTP server on the Mac running a modern Mac OS X release and then using an FTP client like Fetch or Archie on the much older Mac to directly download the packages to the older computer.
Mac Os 9 Download
That would require some local networking, however, but if the older Macintosh is directly connected to the internet already they could always just download the package files directly too. And of course the other option is to use physical media, whether it’s an SD card, CD / DVD, an external hard drive with an appropriate adapter, or floppy disks, that’s up to you.
Mac Os 9 Online
Do you know of any other helpful resources for finding and downloading old Mac software? Share your own experiences, favorite links, and retro Mac software ideas and resources in the comments below!