If you try to start up your Mac from a hard disk, network volume or Time Machine backup that contains an incompatible version or build of macOS, you might experience one or more of these symptoms:
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- Your Mac doesn't finish starting up, or displays a prohibitory symbol at startup.
- You see a message that you're using an unsupported or incorrect version of the Mac operating system.
- Your Mac doesn't respond to your trackpad, mouse or keyboard.
- Apps unexpectedly quit.
- Your Mac doesn't sleep or wake.
- You don't hear any sound from your Mac.
- The fans in your Mac are louder, because they're spinning faster.
- The image on your display appears to shrink, has black bars around it or appears tinted.
- You can't use Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
When it’s time to install a new version of macOS or download a new update, nearly everyone turns to the Mac App Store to start the process. While the App Store makes OS installations easy. HT1159, “Mac OS X versions (builds) for computers” HT2186, “Don’t install a version of Mac OS X earlier than what came with your Mac” TS2986, “OS X: Cannot install on a volume used by Time Machine for backups” TS3926, “OS X Lion: Installer reports ‘This disk cannot be used to start up your computer’ ” Appendix B. Mac OS X Jaguar (version 10.2) is the third major release of Mac OS X (now named macOS), Apple's desktop and server operating system.It superseded Mac OS X 10.1 and preceded Mac OS X Panther.The operating system was released on August 23, 2002 either for single-computer installations, and in a 'family pack,' which allowed five installations on separate computers in one household. Mac OS X Snow Leopard DVD-ROM Full Version In Retail Box. By SNOW LEOPARD. Unknown Platform. $44.90 (3 open box & new offers) 3.7 out of 5 stars 19. Apple Mac OS X 10.5.4 Leopard Full Install DVD Mac. By Leopard V. 10.5.4 Retail. $95.98 (1 open box & new offers) 3 out of 5 stars 8. Make sure you are ready to downgrade your operating system by checking in with what version of OS X you already have and ensuring you have enough hard drive room to download the older version. Clicking the apple in the top left corner of your desktop and selecting About This Mac will allow you to see what OS X version you are currently running.
Which Mac operating systems are compatible?
The version of macOS that came with your Mac is the earliest version compatible with that Mac.To find out whether your Mac is compatible with a later version of macOS, check the system requirements:
If your Mac won't start up from a compatible version of macOS, it might require a specific build of that version. To get the correct build, reinstall macOS or upgrade to a later version of macOS.
Learn more
- To restore a Time Machine backup that was created on a different Mac, use Migration Assistant.