Can I still download Mavericks?

They do have the capability because they can restore systems; however, I don't know what the company policy dictates - asking won't hurt. You might want to try that you need that version for certain software which is not compatible with Yosemite. If they do agree to do it, make sure it's downloaded using your own Apple ID and password.

Yeah, good advice. It is a software issue too - I have project files in RapidWeaver v5.4 that need to be exported to v6 in order to run on Yosemite (which my new MBP has on it). RW v6 does not run on anything less than Mavericks and v5.4 will not run on Yosemite, only Mavericks or earlier. v5.4 will not export files to v6 on anything less than Mavericks. If I have to, I can probably beseech the good folks at RealMac (RapidWeaver) to export the files for me via a drop box or something, but it is really disappointing that Apple has taken Mavericks away. At least we still have the community though. 🙂

Good luck!

Unless your Mac shipped with Mavericks or you made a backup .dmg, USB installer or DVD. You will not get it from the App Store. Don't know what's going on here. It appears it is Yosemite or bust. Lion and Mountain Lion are available for purchase along with Snow Leopard. Hmmm? Dropping Mavericks? What's going on inside Apple Corp.? Engineer stole a patent and moved to the Linux open source world? Outside Vendor breech of contract? Mavericks not available for purchase from App Store or Apple Stores. Strange. I ordered an Apple Refurb MBP (mid 2012). They questioned my request for Mavericks. The Apple Store said they will only warrant the latest OS X. Asked: "Why would you want Mavericks, anyway?" The Apple Store may reluctantly install Mavericks for you after brief interrogation. My next move....Yosemite. Sometime this summer, reluctantly. I already have full backup of Mavericks 10.9.5 full install on Disc and USB. Whew!! 😉

Good summary of this mess. It really is strange on Apple's part.

Indeed.

I had to wipe all remnants of Yosemite off my External HD's Unplug all unnecessary peripherals, basically reduce my Mac Mini to OEM state. Those who's Macs shipped with and was bought with Mavericks may choose to do what I did without a Genius Appointment. Remember Internet Recovery! Here's my procedure I used to put me back in out-of-box state. Back up all of your Data!! Know the procedure for NPRAM and SMC reset for your Mac Model!!

1. Make sure you only have your original Mac equipment installed. A Wi-Fi connection ready is recommended. Wi-Fi is stable during this process, imagine that!

2. From Shutdown, Power up holding Command+R

3. Enter Disk Utility and make two single passes of Zeros across your entire internal HD. 1 single partition. Title it "Macintosh HD" this will take some time. The positive. Zeros will recover lost HD space and remove all traces of data remnants.

4. Quit Disk Utility and shutdown.

5. Power up holding Command+Option+P+R. Keep holding until computer restarts then release keys. The Mac will boot to a flashing "?" folder. This is the NPRAM reset.

5. Shutdown. Now do an SMC reset of your Mac. (Mine for Mac Mini is to Shutdown. Unplug power. Hold power button for 15 secs. Wait 5 secs and plug power back up.)

6. Hold down Command+R and power up. Your Mac will request an Internet Connection. Connect. It will download the Internet Recovery.

6. Select "Reinstall OS X" from the menu. It will download the components needed to install the OS X. Follow installation prompts.

Please be aware that this procedure will install the OS X that shipped with your Mac. If you bought your Mac with Mavericks installed. Internet Recovery will install Mavericks. If your Mac shipped with Mountain Lion or Lion, Internet Recovery will install what shipped with your unit. For some of you, this is the frustration. However, it's best to revert back to your known good OS X and wait for Yosemite to come out of Testing and Beta updates. For now, let your Mac be a computer and iOS remain mobile. This procedure, it is my hope, will keep some of you from making an unnecessary trip to a "Genius" appointment.

Nice, precise instructions - just a heads up on one thing:

Depending on the age/model of the Mac, Command + R is NOT Internet recovery, but the recovery partition which will simply install the current OS on top of what you have. For those models, Internet Recovery is Command + Option + R; after an erase, it will install the original OS version if Lion or later; without an erase, it will re-install the currently installed OS. If the machine came with Snow Leopard or earlier, Internet Recovery does not work because that OS was and is not available via download. It may install Lion or simply not install anything or reinstall the current OS - in other words: it is not at all reliable.

I have tested that several times with both a mid 2010 machine and a mid 2012.

Thank you for the clarification. I did not realize that. I have only a MBP (mid2012) and Mac Mini (late 2012) to base my above procedure on. So, I hope those in that category will benefit. So, there are those who will have to face the Genius Bar to revert back. I know that a shutdown after a zero out on my Mini renders the Recovery Partition useless. I did not know about the other Models. You've provided some insight. I tell you, this has been a very confounding situation that Apple has left us in. I'm half tempted to buy Lion and Mountain Lion Install DVD's from Apple while still available. Thank you again.

Mr. Spock:

I have an old Mac (10.7.5) and a new one (Yosemite) but I *need* Mavericks to update projects in RapidWeaver.

RW v6 does not run on anything less than Mavericks and v5.4 will not run on Yosemite, only Mavericks or earlier. v5.4 will not export files to v6 on anything less than Mavericks.

If you are running a business and need to get your work up and running asap, you could just get the Server Edition of Mavericks for $20 at:

OS X Server 3.2.2 Mavericks 10.9.5

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/os-x-server/id714547929?mt=12

or goto the Retail Apple Store if you have one in your area

https://www.apple.com/retail/locator/

or https://www.apple.com/retail/storelist/

or a third party Apple Authorized Service Provider in your area.

https://www.apple.com/sg/support/programs/aasp/

https://locate.apple.com/sg/en/

Otherwise you have to call Support to attempt to get resolutions.

At the moment Apple is NOT making the free version of Mavericks available if you have never downloaded it. You can however purchase the Server Editions or an older version of the non-server edition as I stated in my previous post: Can I still download Mavericks?

My support has been escalated in Apple and I have an appointment on Friday to see about why my previous purchase will not download. Once this has been figured out I will relay that information to this form. I want to resolve this before attempting internet recovery options mentioned.

I would like Apple to make and keep available all versions of OS X.

Shiny Apples wrote:

If you are running a business and need to get your work up and running asap, you could just get the Server Edition of Mavericks for $20 at:

This is SO helpful! Thank you! 🙂

Still 😠 with Apple though, as is everyone else on this thread.

Shiny Apples wrote:

If you are running a business and need to get your work up and running asap, you could just get the Server Edition of Mavericks for $20 at:

OS X Server 3.2.2 Mavericks 10.9.5

Have you actually downloaded & installed 10.9 via the Server app without using a previous 10.9 install?

I don't think it works how you claim…

OS X server 3.2.2 requires 10.9. If you don't have 10.9 installed, you can't install Server.app 3.2.2

I'd love you to correct me if I am wrong, but look at the download sizes -

184 MB for Server 3.2.2

5.35 GB for Mavericks installer

Server is 'just an app', not the full OS installer.

Drew Good point, I did not notice that. I does show that on the right side.

Another post from someone else is that you get a redeem code from Apple support to download Mavericks OS X but would still have to pay $20.

I also noticed that my pervious post link was redirected to the beginning of this form so click on number 6 and its at the top.

I would like Apple to make and keep available all versions of OS X.

Good luck!

@ jndupuis1:

I'm half tempted to buy Lion and Mountain Lion Install DVD's from Apple while still available.

They are not available as media - they are only available as downloads. You buy it and Apple will send you a code to use for the download.

Thank you for the heads up on that. I know it sounds crazy, but, I always want to have options on hand. I want to stick with Apple and not go crazy with Linux or Boot Camp Windows as my primary OS. That's not why I chose Mac this late in my life. Yosemite is just not there yet. As Windows 10 approaches, I'm sure Apple is needing the foot hold on the "One operating system across all platforms" philosophy that Microsoft is boasting with the announcement of Windows 10.

The problem with the

"One operating system across all platforms" philosophy

is that Apple crippled earlier machines that ran SL and Lion, so they can't run the later (but IMO, crappier) OSs.