If both of the above fail, and you have access to a Mac running a compatible OS, open Terminal and use softwareupdate to fetch the legacy installer. This requires knowing the catalog URL, but a simpler approach is the macadmin-scripts tool from GitHub.
For non-developers, try this legacy command (works on Sierra or High Sierra):
sudo softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 10.10.5
If your macOS version is too new (Mojave or later), this command will fail because Apple removed Yosemite from the softwareupdate catalog. In that case, you need a friend with an older Mac.
Yosemite 10.10.5 is currently in a difficult stage of life. It can no longer run the latest versions of Chrome, Slack, or Microsoft Office efficiently due to API changes and security protocols. It does not support APFS file systems natively, meaning it is restricted to HFS+ drives.
However, for users with a Mid-2007 to Mid-2015 Mac (like the MacBook Pro Retina or the iconic Mac Pro "Trash Can"), Yosemite 10.10.5 remains a visually striking, stable snapshot of Apple's design revolution. If you must download the DMG, prioritize the Combo Update from Apple Support over full installers from unverified mirrors to ensure your legacy hardware remains safe and functional.
The official way to download OS X Yosemite 10.10.5 is through Apple Support
, which provides a direct link to the disk image (.dmg) file. Apple Support Official Download Link Direct DMG Download
: You can download the OS X Yosemite installer directly from Apple's servers using this official Apple download link Combo Update
: If you already have an earlier version of Yosemite installed and just need the 10.10.5 update, you can use the OS X Yosemite 10.10.5 Combo Update Apple Support Apple Support Installation Instructions Open the DMG : Double-click the downloaded file to mount it. Run the Package : Inside the disk image, double-click the file to install the macOS installer into your Applications Start the Installer : Go to your Applications
folder and double-click the file named "Install OS X Yosemite" to begin the actual OS installation. Apple Support Community Important Considerations Compatibility
: Ensure your Mac is compatible with Yosemite before attempting to install. : It is highly recommended to back up your Mac Time Machine or another method before starting the installation. Browser Choice : Apple recommends using
to download these older versions, as other browsers may occasionally fail to initiate the download properly. Apple Support once you've downloaded the file? How to download and install macOS - Apple Support 4 Mar 2026 —
REPORT: Mac OS X Yosemite 10.10.5 Download (DMG)
Status: Discontinued/Legacy Software Current Support Status: No longer supported by Apple (Security updates ended in 2017). Official Availability: Apple does not provide a direct public web link for Yosemite on its main support pages, redirecting users instead to newer OS versions.
However, Apple maintains a hidden "legacy" support article where the official installer can be downloaded, provided you are accessing it from a compatible Mac.
If you cannot find the official Apple source, you may be tempted to use a mirror site. Proceed with extreme caution.
Downloading Mac OS X Yosemite (10.10.5) requires a two-step process: first obtaining the base 10.10 installer, then applying the 10.10.5 update. Apple provides the official Yosemite installer as a DMG file through its support pages, while the 10.10.5 "Combo Update" is a separate download. 1. Download the Yosemite 10.10 DMG
Apple hosts the full base installer for older macOS versions on its servers. Official Download Link: Download OS X Yosemite 10.10 DMG.
Alternate Browser Method: Use the Apple Support macOS Download Page specifically using Safari. Other browsers like Chrome may fail to trigger the download correctly. 2. Download the Yosemite 10.10.5 Combo Update mac os x yosemite 1010 5 download dmg link
To get to version 10.10.5, you must install this update after the base OS is running. Official Download Link: OS X Yosemite 10.10.5 Combo Update. File Size: Approximately 2.12 GB.
Benefits: Fixes issues in Photos (GoPro video imports) and QuickTime (Windows Media playback), and improves Mail compatibility. 3. Preparation & Installation
Check Compatibility: Your Mac must have at least 2 GB of RAM and 8 GB of available storage. Generally, any Mac that can run Mavericks can run Yosemite.
Backup Your Data: Always perform a Time Machine backup before an OS upgrade. Running the Installer: Double-click the downloaded InstallMacOSX.dmg.
Open the mounted image and double-click the .pkg file to install the installer into your Applications folder.
Go to your Applications folder and run "Install OS X Yosemite". 4. Optional: Create a Bootable USB
If you need to perform a clean install, you can create a bootable drive using a USB of at least 8 GB. How to download and install macOS - Apple Support
The official way to download a Mac OS X Yosemite 10.10 disk image (.dmg) is through Apple’s support resources. Because Yosemite was released in 2014 and became obsolete in 2017, it is no longer searchable in the modern App Store, but Apple maintains a direct download link for older hardware compatibility. How to Download the Yosemite 10.10 DMG
Official Download Link: You can find the direct disk image link on the Apple Support page for downloading macOS.
Tip: Use the Safari browser for this download. Other browsers like Chrome or Firefox often have trouble opening the special redirection links that trigger the App Store or the DMG download.
Yosemite 10.10.5 Combo Update: If you already have an earlier version of Yosemite and just need the final 10.10.5 update, you can download the standalone Combo Update from Apple Support. Installation Steps Once you have downloaded the .dmg file:
Extract the Installer: Double-click the downloaded .dmg file to open it. Inside, you will see a package file named .pkg.
Run the Package: Double-click the .pkg file and follow the onscreen instructions. This does not install the OS yet; it installs the official installer into your Applications folder.
Start the Installation: Open your Applications folder and look for "Install OS X Yosemite." Double-click this to begin the actual upgrade process. Important Legacy Notes
Security Risk: Yosemite (10.10.5) has not received security patches since 2017. It is recommended only for legacy hardware that cannot run newer versions like macOS Sierra or El Capitan.
App Compatibility: Many modern apps, including the latest versions of Apple's Pages or Safari, will not run on Yosemite.
Check Hardware: Ensure your Mac has at least 2GB of RAM and 8GB of available storage before attempting the install. Download OS X Yosemite 10.10.5 Combo Update
To download Mac OS X Yosemite 10.10.5, you can use the official Apple Support Direct Download link. Apple provides these legacy DMG files for users who need to reinstall older operating systems or create bootable installers. Guide: How to Download and Prepare the Installer If both of the above fail, and you
Direct Download:Use a browser (preferably Safari) to download the OS X Yosemite 10.10 DMG from Apple’s servers. Note: This file is roughly 5.3 GB.
Open the DMG:Double-click the downloaded .dmg file to mount it on your desktop.
Run the .pkg:Inside the mounted disk image, you will find a file named InstallMacOSX.pkg. Double-click this to begin a brief installation process.
Crucial: This does not install the OS yet. It simply extracts the "Install OS X Yosemite" application into your Applications folder.
Locate the App:Go to your Applications folder. You should now see an app named Install OS X Yosemite. Double-click it to start the actual OS installation. Alternative: 10.10.5 Combo Update
If you are already running an earlier version of Yosemite (like 10.10.1) and just want to update to the final version, you can download the OS X Yosemite 10.10.5 Combo Update from Apple Support. Download OS X Yosemite 10.10.5 Combo Update - Apple Support
To download the OS X Yosemite 10.10.5 installer, you should use official Apple sources to ensure security and stability. Since this version is older, it is typically available as a disk image (.dmg) file rather than a direct App Store search result. 1. Download the Installer
You can download the Yosemite installer directly from Apple's support servers using a web browser:
Official Apple Download: Download OS X Yosemite (Scroll to the "Use a web browser for older versions" section).
Combo Update: If you already have an earlier version of Yosemite and just need to reach 10.10.5, use the OS X Yosemite 10.10.5 Combo Update (approx. 2.12 GB). 2. Extract the Installer
Once the .dmg file is downloaded, follow these steps to place the actual installer in your Applications folder:
Mount the Disk Image: Double-click the downloaded InstallMacOSX.dmg file.
Run the Package: Inside the mounted image, double-click the .pkg file (e.g., InstallMacOSX.pkg).
Follow Prompts: This will install an app named "Install OS X Yosemite" into your Applications folder. It does not install the OS yet; it only prepares the installer. 3. Start the Installation Open your Applications folder.
Double-click the Install OS X Yosemite app to begin the upgrade process.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation. Alternative: App Store Purchased History
If you have previously "purchased" (downloaded) Yosemite with your Apple ID, you may still find it in the Purchases tab of the Mac App Store for redownloading. Important Notes:
Backup Your Data: Always perform a full backup using Time Machine before any OS installation. If your macOS version is too new (Mojave
Compatibility: Ensure your Mac is compatible with Yosemite. Generally, this includes most models from 2007–2014.
Security: OS X 10.10.5 is considered obsolete and has not received security updates since 2017. Download OS X Yosemite 10.10.5 Combo Update
Apple provides official download links for older macOS versions, including OS X Yosemite 10.10
, specifically for users who need to reinstall or upgrade from even older systems. Apple Support Official Download Links
You can download the OS X Yosemite installer directly from Apple's servers using a web browser: Download OS X Yosemite 10.10 (.dmg) : This is the full installer provided via Apple Support Download OS X Yosemite 10.10.5 Combo Update
: If you already have 10.10.x installed and only need to reach version 10.10.5, use this standalone update package (approx. 2.12 GB). Apple Support Installation & Deployment Extract the Installer : Double-click the downloaded file to open it. Run the
file inside to install the "Install OS X Yosemite" app into your Applications folder Run the Installer
: Open your Applications folder and double-click the installer app to begin the process. Create a Bootable USB : If you need to perform a clean install, use the createinstallmedia command in Terminal with a formatted 12GB+ USB drive.
sudo /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ Yosemite.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume --applicationpath /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ Yosemite.app Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard Apple Support Technical Specifications Download OS X Yosemite 10.10.5 Combo Update
Report: macOS X Yosemite (10.10.5) – Overview, Features, System Requirements, and Legal Acquisition
| Scenario | Why Yosemite Might Be Chosen | |----------|------------------------------| | Legacy Software | Certain professional applications (e.g., older versions of Adobe Creative Suite, specialized scientific tools) were certified only on OS X 10.10. | | Hardware Compatibility | Some older Macs cannot run macOS 11 (Big Sur) or later; Yosemite remains the newest supported OS for those models. | | Testing & Development | Developers may need to verify that apps behave correctly on older OS releases. | | Security Audits | Organizations performing compliance testing on specific OS versions may require a controlled Yosemite environment. |
If you fall into any of these categories, ensure you apply the 10.10.5 Combo Update after installation to benefit from the latest security patches.
Before we dive into the download link, let’s clarify why you might need this specific version:
Because Apple no longer prominently features Yosemite on its main macOS download page, you must know the exact method to obtain the DMG file or the .app installer that can be converted into a DMG.
Once you have the InstallESD.dmg or the Combo Update DMG, the usage depends on your goal:
Scenario A: Updating an Existing Mac
Scenario B: Creating a Bootable USB Drive (Clean Install) If you have the full installer extracted from the DMG:
Mac OS X Yosemite (version 10.10) was released by Apple Inc. on October 16, 2014.
The 10.10.5 update (build 14F27, later 14F2511 for security updates) was released on August 13, 2015, as the final stability and security patch for Yosemite before El Capitan (10.11).
Yosemite introduced a redesigned flat UI, Continuity features (Handoff, AirDrop between Mac and iOS), and Spotlight improvements.