Summary: This article lists available download options for Mac OS X Lion, including the complete installer application, DMG file, and ISO image. It also explains how to download OS X Lion or build a Lion bootable USB installer using iBoysoft DiskGeeker.
Thisarticle is written in British English and intended for readers in the UK.
Many users need a Mac OS X Lion installer to create a bootable USB for an older iMac that has been erased. However, obtaining Lion has become extremely difficult, as it is no longer offered through the Mac App Store, and the occasional .pkg files that surface cannot be easily converted into a full installer. In some cases, Recovery Mode is also unavailable for reinstalling the operating system.
Similarly, you may wish to download Mac OS X Lion 10.7 for an older Mac that does not support more recent macOS versions. The good news is that this guide provides direct download links for the Mac OS X Lion installer, DMG file, and ISO image.
Note: You may also find this guide helpful for understanding various methods to download and install Mac OS X Lion: Mac Operating System Download & Install Guide.
Tips: For a safer way to download OS X 10.7 Lion, it is recommended to use iBoysoft DiskGeeker for Mac. This utility provides a bootable DMG file for OS X Lion and other macOS releases, and it also enables you to create a bootable USB installer efficiently.
To download OS X Lion, follow these steps:
Step 1: Download and open iBoysoft DiskGeeker.
Step 2: Choose Download Image from the left-hand menu.
Step 3: Select OS X 10.7 Lion and click Get.
For additional legacy macOS versions, see: Download Old Mac OS Full Installers.
Download Mac OS X Lion installer
There are limited sources that still offer the Lion installer in .app format. Fortunately, the Internet Archive hosts a preserved copy. The file is a 3.5 GB ZIP archive titled Install Mac OS X Lion.app.zip.
Download Mac OS X Lion Installer
After downloading and extracting the ZIP file, you will obtain the application installer, which can then be used directly to create a Mac OS X Lion bootable USB.
Download Mac OS X Lion DMG
You may also opt to download the OS X Lion DMG (.dmg) file for creating bootable installation media. A DMG file is a disk image that contains the necessary files to install or upgrade to Mac OS X Lion. One benefit of this format is that it can be used to create bootable media on both macOS and Windows systems.
Apple still hosts the official Mac OS X Lion DMG on its servers. You can copy the link and open it in Safari to begin the download.
Once the download is complete, you can extract the installer and proceed to the section explaining how to create a bootable Lion USB on a Mac. Alternatively, Windows users can follow this guide: How to Create macOS Bootable USB from Windows 10/11.
To retrieve the Lion installer from the disk image, complete the following steps (note that a Mac compatible with Mac OS X Lion is required):
- Double-click the Mac OS X Lion DMG file to mount it.
- Open the .pkg file inside and follow the on-screen instructions to save the installer in the Applications folder.
Feel free to share this information to help others download Mac OS X 10.7 Lion DMG at no cost!
Download Mac OS X Lion ISO
If you intend to install Mac OS X Lion on a Windows PC, an ISO file is required. ISO images are compatible with virtual machine software such as VirtualBox, VMware, and Parallels Desktop.
Download Mac OS X Lion ISO (Mediafire)
Download Mac OS X Lion ISO (Google Drive)
Credits go to techrechard.com.
How to make a Mac OS X Lion Bootable USB?
Note: As mentioned earlier, iBoysoft DiskGeeker simplifies the process of creating a bootable USB installer for OS X Lion. The steps are outlined below:
Step 1: Download and install iBoysoft DiskGeeker.
Step 2: Select Create boot disk from the Shortcut section.
Step 3: Choose your external drive and click Select > Continue.
Step 4: Pick OS X 10.7 Lion and click Create boot disk.
Step 5: Wait while the bootable USB is generated.
If the Lion installer is already located in your Applications folder, you can also create the bootable USB manually:
- Insert a USB drive with at least 8 GB of available space.
- Open Disk Utility.
- Select View > Show All Devices.
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Choose the physical USB disk and click Erase (this deletes all existing data).
- Name the drive MyVolume.
- Set the format to Mac OS Extended (Journaled).
- Select GUID Partition Map.
- Click Erase.
- Open Terminal.
- Enter the following command and press Enter:sudo /Applications/Install\ Mac\ OS\ X\ Lion.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume --applicationpath /Applications/Install\ Mac\ OS\ X\ Lion.app
- Enter your administrator password and press Enter.
- Type Y to confirm the erase operation and press Return.
- Wait until you see the message "Install media now available at".
- Safely eject the USB drive.
Once complete, you can boot your Mac from the external USB to install macOS.
Also read: Free Download Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion Full Installer, DMG & ISO