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Is there a way to install OS X Snow Leopard on the 2014 MacBook Pro Retina?

K

kacper

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jun 3, 2014
143
18
I have a 2014 MacBook Pro Retina that I purchased a few months ago. Is there a way to install OS X Snow Leopard on it? I do not have a DVD drive and do not own OS X Snow Leopard discs. I do have a retail copy .dmg file of it though. Can I copy it over to a USB flash drive and install it on a partition of my hard drive? How do I do that, if it's possible? Can you list the steps? I would appreciate it!

Thanks!

P.S. Please don't ask why.
 
In simple terms the earliest you can go on any Mac is the original OS that was on the machine when new. You can go back to Mavericks.
Would probably need to be buying a several year old machine to run Snow Leopard now.
 
kacper said:
I have a 2014 MacBook Pro Retina that I purchased a few months ago. Is there a way to install OS X Snow Leopard on it? I do not have a DVD drive and do not own OS X Snow Leopard discs. I do have a retail copy .dmg file of it though. Can I copy it over to a USB flash drive and install it on a partition of my hard drive? How do I do that, if it's possible? Can you list the steps? I would appreciate it!

Thanks!

P.S. Please don't ask why.
Click to expand...

Virtualisation is the only way you could run Snow Leopard.
 
Why is not possible to install Snow Leopard on new Macs? This is my favorite OS and wanted to do the same when I get a new Macbook.
 
angevil said:
Why is not possible to install Snow Leopard on new Macs? This is my favorite OS and wanted to do the same when I get a new Macbook.
Click to expand...

Apple only allows Macs and other devices to run the OS they originally shipped with. The reasoning is unknown, but it may have something to do with how OS X subscription is more closely tied to the hardware itself than simply buying a Windows install disk.

Snow Leopard is no longer supported now that Mavericks and Yosemite are free updates. It's a common thing for software companies to end support of old software in favor of updated versions. Microsoft has done the same thing with XP. Running anything before Mavericks these days and doing anything involving personal information like credit cards or bank accounts is asking to be the victim of malware :eek:
 
I can understand that it may be an OS you are familiar with, more comfortable with, etc. but there is absolutely ZERO benefit other than this familiarity. All you would do is create more problems for yourself. It's best to just move on to the current OS and get used to it. It really isn't bad.
 
I have Mavericks on the Mini and will update to Yosemite these days. Still, my older Macbook Pro is on Snow Leopard because I love it :)
I thought it was still possible to install any OS X version on new Macs, but if I was wrong, I will have to move on when I get a new Macbook.
 
angevil said:
I have Mavericks on the Mini and will update to Yosemite these days. Still, my older Macbook Pro is on Snow Leopard because I love it :)
I thought it was still possible to install any OS X version on new Macs, but if I was wrong, I will have to move on when I get a new Macbook.
Click to expand...

Among other reasons, how would an old OS carry drivers for new hardware that didn't exist when it was last updated?
 
No, as others stated. The older OS does not have the proper kexts (device drivers) for your new laptop. It just won't load and there's no amount of hacking that will change that.

Your best bet is to run the older version within VMware. That may take bit of work but its possible.
 
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