Unable to download purchased Final Cut Pro X on older macOS version

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Level 1

4 points

Unable to download purchased Final Cut Pro X on older macOS version

Hi, I tried to update my late 2013 Mac to Sonoma. At the same time FCPX got the latest update as well.

Because it didn't work as smooth as I thought I re-installed Cataltina OS, which was the original OS.

But now it's impossible to download FCPX, because it needs at least version 14.6 OS for downloading. (I have purchased it for 8 years ago). Under my purchased apps in the app store it won't let me download on older version either.

Now I installed a trail version from FCPX which is working fine, but is it possible to connect my Apple ID to it, so that I can use it after the trail as well?

I tried to purchase it again, but then it just says that I need 14.6 to install it.

Any suggestions here? Greetings Martin

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Final Cut Pro X

iMac 27″

Posted on Sep 19, 2025 4:15 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Luis Sequeira1

Level 9

72,720 points

Sep 19, 2025 4:49 AM in response to mschouw1

It used to be possible to download older versions of the software simply by clicking on your account at the App Store application on an older OS. Earlier this year Apple stopped doing that. AFAICT there is currently no way to download older versions from Apple. You might have that older version in a backup, or maybe someone else has it and is willing to share.

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Answer 2

terryb

Level 4

3,334 points

Oct 2, 2025 5:25 PM in response to kylieks

I sent feedback to Apple about this. Probably won't make a difference, but can't hurt to let them know it's a problem. Final Cut Pro->Provide Final Cut Pro Feedback... or Feedback - Final Cut Pro - Apple

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Answer 3

mschouw1 Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 2, 2025 11:05 PM in response to BenB

Yes, I found an earlier version on the internet, 10.4.??? , which is working fine, but it's not from the Apple Store :-)

But I went back to Catalina because Sonoma was to unstable for my older MAC.

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Answer 4

kylieks

Level 1

8 points

Oct 2, 2025 3:59 PM in response to mschouw1

I just bought a new MacBook that had macOS 15.3 installed for this exact reason... except then I tried to download Final Cut Pro and the download told me I needed macOS 15.6... needless to say I'm very upset because the website is not up to date and I spent all this money on a MacBook that isn't compatible with the app I wanted it for...

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Answer 5

MartinR

Level 7

24,004 points

Oct 2, 2025 5:36 PM in response to kylieks

kylieks wrote:

I just bought a new MacBook that had macOS 15.3 installed for this exact reason... except then I tried to download Final Cut Pro and the download told me I needed macOS 15.6... needless to say I'm very upset because the website is not up to date and I spent all this money on a MacBook that isn't compatible with the app I wanted it for...

You're already on Sonoma (15.3). 15.6 is an just update. And it's free. Just update your Mac to 15.6 and you should be good to go.

BTW, the latest Sonoma update is 15.7.1 so you might just as well update to that instead of 15.6.

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Answer 6

Oct 3, 2025 2:13 AM in response to MartinR

MartinR wrote:

kylieks wrote:

I just bought a new MacBook that had macOS 15.3 installed for this exact reason... except then I tried to download Final Cut Pro and the download told me I needed macOS 15.6... needless to say I'm very upset because the website is not up to date and I spent all this money on a MacBook that isn't compatible with the app I wanted it for...

You're already on Sonoma (15.3). 15.6 is an just update. And it's free. Just update your Mac to 15.6 and you should be good to go.

BTW, the latest Sonoma update is 15.7.1 so you might just as well update to that instead of 15.6.

Sorry for the nitpicking... all you are saying is correct, updates are free and 15.3->15.6 or 15.7.1 are all within the same general version of the OS, just that it's known as Sequoia (Sonoma was version 14.*)

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Answer 7

mschouw1 Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 19, 2025 4:55 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

Thanks for the answer. I'll probably have to update to a new Mac :-)

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Answer 8

BenB

Level 6

13,142 points

Sep 19, 2025 5:46 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

Luis, are you saying NO previous versions are available at all? Apple... (sigh)

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Answer 9

MartinR

Level 7

24,004 points

Oct 3, 2025 6:15 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

Thx. Yes, the current version of FCP requires Sequoia 15.6 or higher. It had been a long day and I must have been much more tired than I thought I was when I confused 14 with 15.

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