On a Mackbook Pro 5,5 (that has 10.6, .7, or .8) can we install ANY version of OS X that is older than El Capitan (10.11)? It seems Apple does NOT keep verification info to install Lion or Mt Lion, forcing the user to only install El Cap. Am I correct?
MacBook Pro 13″, OS X 10.11
You may encounter errors during installation of OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion, the most
common errors are:
- This copy of the install OS X application is corrupt or damaged, and can't be used to install OS X.
- OS X could not be installed on your computer, No packages were eligible for install, Contact the software manufacturer for assistance.
This is because Apple made these errors to discourage people from installing outdated operating system. They want you to update to the latest or newest operating system.
Since support has ended, the installer cant verify the installation with Apple's Servers. It doesn't mean the USB or the software is corrupt. If the USB was really corrupt, it would not load at all and you wouldn't see the loading screen. Make sure the Mac isn't connected to the WIFI or network when doing the installation. The trick is that you need to change the date to around the date when the operating system was released.
You may encounter errors during installation of OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion, the most
common errors are:
- This copy of the install OS X application is corrupt or damaged, and can't be used to install OS X.
- OS X could not be installed on your computer, No packages were eligible for install, Contact the software manufacturer for assistance.
This is because Apple made these errors to discourage people from installing outdated operating system. They want you to update to the latest or newest operating system.
Since support has ended, the installer cant verify the installation with Apple's Servers. It doesn't mean the USB or the software is corrupt. If the USB was really corrupt, it would not load at all and you wouldn't see the loading screen. Make sure the Mac isn't connected to the WIFI or network when doing the installation. The trick is that you need to change the date to around the date when the operating system was released.
We can appreciate where you're coming from, astro3ron.
You should be able to use the links in the article above to install OS X Yosemite without a USB drive as long as your Mac is compatible: How to get old versions of macOS - Apple Support
OS X Yosemite 10.10 hardware requirements
If your Mac is compatible, you'd want to follow the steps in the "Use Safari to download macOS on your Mac" section of the link above.
You might also be able to download the OS X Mountain Lion installer through this link: Mac OS X Mountain Lion Installer
Be sure to make a backup of your Mac before making any changes to your operating system. Check out this guide for the steps: Back up your Mac with Time Machine - Apple Support
Let us know if you have any questions, and take care.
Hello astro3ron,
Depending on which OS X your Mac shipped with and which Mac you're using, the following installers may help as well.
Mac OS X Mountain Lion Installer - Any Mac that shipped with Mac OS X Mavericks or later will not be compatible with this installer.
Mac OS X Lion Installer - Any Mac that shipped with Mac OS X Mountain Lion or later will not be compatible with this installer.
Have a great day!
Greetings astro3ron,
You can find the supported steps to get older versions of macOS by following this link:
How to get old versions of macOS - Apple Support
Take care.
I tried these. Remember I have 10.6.8 as the OS. Those steps don't work! Can't make a bootable USB on that version of OS X. W/O the bootable USB, you're SOL! Install El Cap!
Why just not install El Cap 10.11? Yosemite is 10.10!
Here's the REAL reason you can't install older versions, easily...:
oh, included content is not permitted. Geez
Again looking at ALLLLLLLL the details I supplied to people in these forums, older OS X version don't work with the installs. Move up the line to the newer OS X for your system!
Can't Install Mt Lion on MacBook Pro 5,5
