MacOS Big Sur elevates the most advanced desktop operating system in the world to a new level of power and beauty. Experience Mac to the fullest with a refined new design. Enjoy the biggest Safari update ever. Discover new features for Maps and Messages. And get even more transparency around your privacy.
- Mac OS X Tiger 10.4 Released in 2005, Tiger had some innovative new features - such as Spotlight, Dashboard, and a offline Dictionary. 10.4.4 was the first intel edition of Tiger.
- Learn more about Mac OS X. What’s New in this Version. The 10.4.11 Update is recommended for all users running Mac OS X Tiger and includes general operating system fixes that enhance the stability, compatibility and security of your Mac. This update also includes Safari 3, the latest version of Apple's web browser.
- Many consider Tiger to be the best “classic” version of Mac OS X. While that may or may not be true, it is my favorite Aqua-inspired wallpaper. Download 5K version. Download 6K version. Complete with a revised, unified user interface and shiny new Dock, 10.5 broke the Aqua mold.
Tips on 10.2 Jaguar, 10.3 Panther, 10.4 Tiger (10.4.4 is the beginning for some Intel Macs. On PowerPC Macs 10.4.11 is the end of Classic's compatibility), 10.5 Leopard, 10.6 Snow Leopard, 10.7 Lion, 10.8 Mountain Lion and 10.9 Mavericks,10.10 Yosemite, 10.11 El Capitan.
When determining which operating system you meet the requirements for, see this tip on Mac model and age:
Note this tip, and the related tips from Mac OS X 10.3 to 10.11 refer to Mac OS X Client. Mac OS X server questions more often are best answered by participants of the Server forums, as the limitations of Mac OS X Server can frequently differ.
Mac OS X Sierra, which was released September 20, 2016 is the first Mac OS X not compatible with any Macs running TIger. There are some Macs that came with 10.4 that can install up to 10.11.
Mac OS X 10.2 (Jaguar) or later require the correct firmware be installed. The Macs on this tip explain which do:
Additionally, those interested in updating to 10.4 may also benefit from 10.3 as well. See this tip to determine if you may want to consider it.
Be sure to backup your data first at least twice before installing any operating system. Shut down, and disconnect any peripherals before continuing with the installation. Read the info below to ensure you are compatible. Finally, you may need to use the Startup Manager to boot the operating system when the 'C' key doesn't work in order to get the installer to work or repair the disk before installation if the initial attempt to install fails. To determine if that repair is necessary, post to the forum, and someone will be able to help you to find out which repairs might be necessary.
If you are installing on a hard drive for the first time an operating system, remember to read this tip on formatting:
Macs that have 10.4.3 or earlier can't upgrade past 10.5.8. Macs that are G4 867 Mhz or greater (including 1 Ghz or greater), and G5 can be upgraded at least to 10.5.8. Firewire only Macs that are slower can only upgrade to 10.4.11. Intel Macs can at minimum upgrade to 10.6 if they have 1 GB of RAM. For more on your options, read on. Also the same Macs that came with 10.4.3 or earlier, also may benefit from not upgrading past 10.4.11, as Classic is not compatible with 10.5 and up. See this tip, to find out if you need Classic.
Compatible phones are listed here with 10.4.11:
Compatible printers with 10.4:
Compatible printers with Intel Macs from 10.4.4 to 10.4.11:
10.4 users with Intel Macs, should seriously consider upgrading to at minimum 10.5.8 as a Flashback malware is currently only treated in 10.5.8, 10.6.8, and 10.7.3 and higher, though disabling Java can also help. For more info, read this tip.
Any Mac with a Firewire port such as is shown in the 3 ports on the image (two 6 pin Firewire 400 and 1 Firewire 800 are shown, though only one of those types of ports is needed) below,
and a DVD drive can boot into Tiger, until new releases came out October 26, 2007. The full requirements are here:
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1514
Tiger introduced Spotlight to replace the old Find File, for some Panther's Find File is sufficient, and this tip explains
what you can do to maintain most of Tiger's compatibility without having to upgrade to Tiger:
Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) came on several versions of retail installer DVDs that look like . If you still need Tiger over Panther, but do not like Spotlight, here's some alternatives:
http://www.devontechnologies.com/products/freeware/ - EasyFind
http://www.osxbytes.com/ - iFileX (note the MacUpdate link provided on osxbytes page has a Malware advertisement for MacKeeper, do not download).
There was a limited Media Exchange program
version of Tiger that came on similarly labelled CDs, which are hard to find but are useful for Macs that can't boot off internal DVD discs (since they didn't ship with a DVD drive, or obtaining a bootable DVD drive is difficult) or external DVD discs, but do have Firewire. Those Macs include some of the PCI Graphics PowerMac G4, and the Blue and white G3 tower Macs.
10.4(.0), (April 29, 2005), 10.4.3 (October 31, 2005), 10.4.6 (April 3, 2006) were all retail releases that did not say Upgrade, Dropin, or OEM. Though Intel Macs which started shipping with 10.4.4, can't take any of those retail discs, and must use the installer disc that shipped with them, until 10.5 (Leopard)'s release, at which point, they could use either a retail Leopard release, or the disc that shipped with them, until new Macs started shipping again December 15, 2008. If upgrading to an Intel Mac from a G3, G4, or G5, be sure to read this tip on migrating data. Also as part of the Intel Mac releases 10.4.5 to 10.4.11 (note 10.4.0, 10.4.1 are both older than 10.4.5) came in both PowerPC and Intel releases. Look at Apple menu -> About This Mac to determine if you have a G3, G4, G5 (all are PowerPC), or an Intel Mac. You can't
use the updater of one on the other.
Below is a table of 10.4 updates. Combo updates can be used on any preceding version of 10.4. including the update it is going to as long as updates not included in the combo were not applied. Delta updates only on the immediate preceding version. Note which ones below are for PowerPC (PPC) and Intel. Do not install a PPC update on an Intel, or vice versa.
10.4.1 Delta | 10.4.2 Combo Delta | 10.4.3 Combo Delta | 10.4.4 Combo Delta | 10.4.5 PPC Combo PPC Delta Intel Macs | 10.4.6 PPC Combo* PPC Delta Combo for IntelIntel Delta | 10.4.7 PPC ComboPPC Delta Combo for IntelIntel Delta | 10.4.8 PPC ComboPPC Delta Combo for IntelIntel Delta | 10.4.9 PPC ComboPPC Delta Combo for IntelIntel Delta | 10.4.10 | 10.4.11 Combo IntelCombo PowerPC Delta PowerPCDelta Intel |
While Tiger's security updates are no longer maintained, you can download the latest ones made for it still from Apple's support knowledgebase.
Mac Os 10.4 Tiger Dmg
Some Macs capable of having Tiger installed may benefit by having Leopard installed instead.
Read the tip below to find out if yours qualifies:
Also note, that iLife prebundled software started changing with Tiger. See this tip on what was prebundled and what wasn't:
Note also, Leopard removes Classic support, but not Mac OS X booting support for those that already had it.
See this tip to find out which Macs are able to boot into 10.5 and 9:
Every major version of Mac OS X macOS has come with a new default wallpaper. As you can see, I have collected them all here.
While great in their day, the early wallpapers are now quite small in the world of 5K and 6K displays.
If you want to see detailed screenshots of every release of OS X, click here.
If you are looking for Mac OS 9 wallpapers, this page is for you.
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10.0 Cheetah & 10.1 Puma
The first two releases of Mac OS X shared the same wallpaper. The sweeping blue arcs and curves helped set the tone of the new Aqua interface.
Mac Os Tiger Intro
Download 5K version.
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10.2 Jaguar
Jaguar took the same Aqua-inspired theme but added some depth and motion to things. In my head, the trails streaking across the screen were from a set of comets.
Download 5K version.
Download 6K version.
10.3 Panther
While Panther inflicted Macs everywhere with Brushed Metal, its wallpaper stayed on brand, refreshing the original 10.0 image.
Download 5K version.
Download 6K version.
10.4 Tiger
Many consider Tiger to be the best “classic” version of Mac OS X. While that may or may not be true, it is my favorite Aqua-inspired wallpaper.
Download 5K version.
Download 6K version.
10.5 Leopard
Complete with a revised, unified user interface and shiny new Dock, 10.5 broke the Aqua mold. As such, Leopard was the first version of OS X to break from the Aqua-themed wallpaper. It ushered in the “space era” of OS X wallpapers, which was used heavily in the new Time Machine interface as well.
Mac Os Tiger Virtualbox
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10.6 Snow Leopard
The “no new features” mantra for Snow Leopard didn’t ban a new wallpaper, thankfully. This starscape is still one of my favorites.
Download 5K version.
Download 6K version.
10.6 Snow Leopard Server
The server version of Snow Leopard came with its own unique wallpaper that is a real treat:
Download 5K version.
Download 6K version.
10.7 Lion
Lion kept up the space theme, this time showing off the Andromeda galaxy. The space nerd in me likes the idea, but the execution of this one leaves dead-last on my list of favorites.
Mac Os Tiger Emulator
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10.8 Mountain Lion
Just like Snow Leopard before it, with Mountain Lion, Apple opted to clean up and revise the existing theme as opposed to changing directions for what would be a less-impactful release of OS X.
Download 5K version.
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10.9 Mavericks
Mavericks marked the beginning of Apple’s “California location” naming scheme for Mac releases. The wave depicted looks as intimidating as the ones in the famous surfing location.
Download 5K version.
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10.10 Yosemite
Yosemite brought another UI refresh to the Mac, making things flatter and more modern. The wallpaper ushered in a new era based on … well … mountains.
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10.11 El Capitan
Named after a breathtaking spot in Yosemite National Park, El Capitan was a clean-up year after 10.10.
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10.12 Sierra
More mountains.
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10.13 High Sierra
Even more mountains.
Download 5K version.
Download 6K version.
10.14 Mojave
No more mountains! Mojave brought a new system-wide Dark Mode, and the OS shipped with two versions of its default wallpaper to match. Users could even have macOS slowly fade between the two background images over the course of the day.
Download 5K versions:
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10.15 Catalina
macOS Catalina brought big changes to the Mac, including the ability to run iPad apps natively, opening the platform up to a much larger number of developers than ever before. Catalina shipped with multiple variants of its default wallpaper, and the ability to shift between them as time progresses throughout the day:
Download 6K versions:
macOS Big Sur
This version of macOS is such a big deal, Apple changed the version number to 11.0. It will be the OS that brings support for Apple Silicon-powered Macs, and features a brand new design.
Download 6K versions:
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