Written by
Jenny Zeng
A Mac OS ISO file is a disk image that contains the entire Mac operating system of a specific version. It's commonly used to install macOS on virtual machines so that it can be run on a Windows PC.
If you need to download the macOS ISO image of a certain version, this article is for you. Since Apple's Mac operating system used different names in different periods, starting from Mac OS X, then shortened to OS X, and eventually switching to macOS, we'll organize the ISO files based on the timeline, from the latest to the oldest.
How to Download ISO file for macOS, OS X, and Mac OS X?
Here are the links for the Mac OS ISO download for VirtualBox or VMware. You can download the preferred ISO file for macOS online and use it to install macOS on your computer.
Download ISO for macOS 15 ~ 10.12
macOS High Sierra ISO Download
Download ISO for OS X 10.11 ~ 10.8
OS X Mountain Lion ISO Download
Download ISO for Mac OS X 10.7 ~ 10.4
Mac OS X Snow Leopard ISO Download
Mac OS X Tiger ISO Download (Intel)
Mac OS X Tiger ISO Download (CD/DVD)
Share the resources to help others download macOS ISO for Windows PC!
How to create an ISO file for macOS, OS X or Mac OS X?
The links above are from third-party resources, as Apple doesn't provide direct downloads for macOS ISO images. If you have a compatible and working Mac, you can create the desired ISO file for the desired macOS version yourself. Here's how:
Step 1: Download the macOS full installer
To make the macOS ISO file, you'll need to download the macOS full installer first. For macOS High Sierra and later, you can get it from the App Store. For macOS Sierra and earlier versions, download the DMG file and then double-click to expand it until you install the macOS installer to the Applications folder.
Step 2: Make an empty ISO disk image in Terminal
Then you can proceed to create an empty disk image to accommodate the bootable USB installer. To do it, open Terminal and run the following command:
hdiutil create -o /tmp/Ventura -size 15979m -volname ISO -layout SPUD -fs HFS+J -type UDTO -attach
This command makes a new, 15979 MB disk image named "ISO," with the file system Mac OS Extended (Journaled) in the /tmp directory with the name "Ventura," and of the type suitable for creating CD/DVD ISOs.
If you're creating an ISO file of a different macOS, change "Ventura" to the desired system.
Step 3: Create a bootable macOS installer
To make the ISO file bootable, you'll also need to turn the macOS full installer into a bootable copy. Copy and paste the command for your macOS version and execute it in Terminal.
sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Sequoia.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/ISOsudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Sonoma.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/ISO sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Ventura.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/ISOsudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Monterey.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/ISOsudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Big\ Sur.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/ISOsudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Catalina.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/ISOsudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Mojave.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/ISOsudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ High\ Sierra.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/ISO
sudo /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ El\ Capitan.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/ISO --applicationpath /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ El\ Capitan.app
The command runs with administrative privileges, requiring your account login password. Type the correct password (it won't echo to the screen) and press Enter to send it.
Step 4: Unmount the disk image and convert it into ISO
Once the macOS install media is created, unmount it and convert it from .cdr to .iso with the following commands (Replace Ventura with your macOS version):
hdiutil detach -force /Volumes/Install\ macOS\ Venturamv /tmp/Ventura.cdr ~/Desktop/Ventura.iso
These are the steps to create an ISO file for VirtualBox or VMware. Share this post if you've learned something.
If you want to learn more about the ISO file of each macOS version, check out the following guides:
Download/Create macOS Sequoia ISO File for VMWare or VirtualBox
Download/Create macOS Sonoma ISO File for VMWare or VirtualBox
Download/Create macOS Ventura ISO File for VMWare or VirtualBox
