Is there a way to run old mac applications in mac os 10.14?

Hi I have several games on my computer that worked during older versions of mac OS, recently I wanted to play them again, but they don't work and according to the app store there are no updates for them. Is there a way to still play these game without downgrading to an older mac OS? Is there an application that could simulate and older version of mac os so I can play these games or something similar?


I paid money on these old games and it would be a waste to not be able to use them again because of mac os updates and the developers no longer pushing updates.

Mac Pro, macOS 10.14

Posted on Apr 25, 2019 10:17 PM

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20 replies

Apr 26, 2019 3:53 AM in response to Help6287

You could repurpose, or add an SSD drive, and install the version of OS X, or macOS that supports your games. Then alternate boot when you want to play those older games. You cannot install a version of the operating system older than that which was originally shipped on the Mac Pro.


The game developers are entirely responsible for keeping their software current as new versions of the operating system arrive. If they have not done that, you cannot make incompatible applications work on Mojave, hence rather than downgrading Mojave, I suggest the first paragraph.

Apr 26, 2019 4:46 AM in response to Help6287

Another alternative is to install a VM environment such as VirtualBox, which is free. You can then install whatever version of macOS you want in VirtualBox, and then install your games there. That way, there would be no need to reboot your machine each time that you want to play your games.


For the record, I used to run VirtualBox on my El Capitan iMac. In VirtualBox, I ran Mountain Lion, so that I could run SheepShaver. And in SheepShaver, I ran OS 9.0.4, so that I could run my Hermes II BBS. It was quite a convoluted setup, but it worked perfectly, until I finally shut down my BBS permanently a few years ago.

Apr 26, 2019 10:14 PM in response to Help6287

Not necessarily. If they installed just fine, then don't worry about it. What I was referring to was the fact that in previous months -- they may have possibly stopped the practice by now due to the backlash -- they would create their own small installers, which to my recollection, did not contain the actual installer for the app. You had to run that little installer, in order to get the actual app installer, and that is when they would insert the adware. If what you downloaded were the actual full-sized installers, as created by the developers, then as I said, you should be okay.

May 2, 2019 11:05 PM in response to WordWeaver777

I finally was able to download VirtualBox, but now I'm stuck. From what I can tell I need to obtain the .dmg files of older OS X software to get the VIrtualBox working. Is that correct. I currently have the installers for mac OS X Mavericks, Mountain Lion, and Yosemite. Is there a way to use these to get the virtual box working? Do you know where to obtain the .dmg of older version of mac?

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Is there a way to run old mac applications in mac os 10.14?

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