A fresh tip for 10.6 installation software available

by: a brody

Last modified: Jul 12, 2021 9:10 AM

2 4630 Last modified Jul 12, 2021 9:10 AM

Before you install anything, backup your data.

August 28, 2009 Mac OS 10.6 was released

March 15, 2010 Apple released the 10.6.3 retail installer disc that looks like and does not say drop-in/oem, or upgrade on it. Any Mac older than it but newer than January 7, 2006 can use it.

Macs newer than this disc but older than Lion that did not have internet recovery firmware installed must use the original installer disc that shipped with them, or a hard drive that has the newer operating system external to them to clone back to them. The newest operating system that may be copied onto the Mac varies depending on built-in hardware. Note: licensing requires you use the original copy exclusively on the Mac you last installed it on.

Jan 6, 2011 Apple releases 10.6.6, the first operating system to include the App Store, and to have 10.7 installer on it upon 10.7's release later that year.

July 20, 2011 Apple releases 10.7, the first internet only installer of their full operating system.

All Macs from this point on also included an internet recovery option, with command-option-shift-R boot. A special firmware was made available for some earlier Macs. As long as your Mac is older than Mountain Lion's July 25, 2012 release, internet recovery will allow you 10.7.5 if you have internet recovery available. Older Macs with CoreSolo and CoreDuo processors in Apple menu -> About This Mac can't install Lion at all.

Some other updates of interest are:

10.6.6 Combo Brings any version of retail or installer disc up to App Store release for 10.7.

10.68 Combo v1.1 (7/25/2011), and the followup Thunderbolt update for 2011 iMacs and MacBook Pros for installation after 10.6.8. 10.6.8 2013 Security Update 004, 2013-005 Java update (note Java is not current until Mac OS X 10.7.3 from Java.com, and requires losing compatiblity with Rosetta). Once these updates are applied Apple menu -> System Preferences -> Software Update will reveal a Mac App Store update, which will make any 10.6.8 Mac App Store upgrades available.

No Mac can install an earlier system than it shipped with.

No CoreSolo, No CoreDuo, could install later than 10.6.8. Apple Mac Core2Duo and Core i3, i5, i7, and Xeon processors prior to July 15, 2012 could all install 10.7 through internet restore or the App Store on 10.6.6.

Some of the updates will only download with the browser current for the time.

Many 10.6.8 compatible machines can be upgraded directly to 10.11.6 as long as Rosetta (PowerPC application support from 10.5.8 and earlier) is not needed. Use https://roaringapps.com to determine if your software is compatible in addition to the developer sites of the said software. Drivers you should check with the manufacturer of the peripheral.