Retroactive Download: How to Run Legacy Apps on macOS
What is Retroactive Download and How Does It Work?
If you are a fan of some classic apps that Apple has discontinued or replaced, such as Aperture, iPhoto, iTunes, Final Cut Pro 7, Logic Pro 9, Xcode 11.7, or iWork 09, you might be disappointed to find out that they are not compatible with the latest versions of macOS, such as Ventura, Monterey, Big Sur, or Catalina.
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But don't worry, there is a way to bring them back to life on your Mac using a tool called Retroactive. Retroactive is an open-source app that lets you retroactively download and run these apps on macOS Ventura, Monterey, Big Sur, or Catalina.
Retroactive download is a process of modifying or installing an app that is not officially supported by the current operating system. Retroactive download can help you enjoy your favorite apps that are no longer available or updated by Apple, without having to downgrade your macOS or use a virtual machine.
Retroactive download has many benefits, such as:
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Preserving your workflow and preferences with the apps you are familiar with.
Accessing your existing data and projects that are stored in these apps.
Using features and functions that are not available in the newer versions or replacements of these apps.
Saving money and time by not having to purchase or learn new apps.
To give you an idea of how retroactive download works, here are some examples of apps that can be retroactively downloaded using Retroactive.
Retroactive Download Examples
Retroactive supports a number of apps that can be retroactively downloaded on macOS Ventura, Monterey, Big Sur, or Catalina. Here are some of them:
Aperture
Aperture was a professional photo editing and management app that Apple discontinued in 2015. Aperture was replaced by Photos, which has a simpler interface and fewer features. If you prefer Aperture over Photos for its advanced editing tools, metadata management, plugins support, and integration with iCloud Photo Library, you can use Retroactive to unlock Aperture on macOS Ventura, Monterey, Big Sur, or Catalina.
iPhoto
iPhoto was a consumer photo editing and management app that Apple discontinued in 2015. iPhoto was also replaced by Photos, which has a different interface and functionality. If you like iPhoto better than Photos for its ease of use, events organization, slideshows creation, and integration with iCloud Photo Library, you can use Retroactive to unlock iPhoto on macOS Ventura, Monterey, Big Sur, or Catalina.
iTunes
iTunes was a media player and manager that Apple replaced with Music, TV, Podcasts, and Finder in 2019. iTunes was a one-stop solution for playing, organizing, syncing, and purchasing music, movies, TV shows, podcasts, audiobooks, and more. If you miss iTunes for its simplicity, versatility, and integration with iOS devices, you can use Retroactive to install iTunes 12.6.5 or 12.9.5 on macOS Ventura, Monterey, Big Sur, or Catalina.
Final Cut Pro 7
Final Cut Pro 7 was a professional video editing app that Apple discontinued in 2011. Final Cut Pro 7 was replaced by Final Cut Pro X, which has a radically different interface and workflow. If you are still using Final Cut Pro 7 for its familiar timeline, multicam editing, color correction, and compatibility with third-party plugins and hardware, you can use Retroactive to install Final Cut Pro 7 on macOS Ventura, Monterey, Big Sur, or Catalina.
Logic Pro 9
Logic Pro 9 was a professional music production app that Apple discontinued in 2013. Logic Pro 9 was replaced by Logic Pro X, which has a redesigned interface and new features. If you are still using Logic Pro 9 for its classic layout, instruments, effects, and compatibility with older projects and plugins, you can use Retroactive to install Logic Pro 9 on macOS Ventura, Monterey, Big Sur, or Catalina.
Xcode 11.7
Xcode 11.7 was the last version of Apple's integrated development environment (IDE) that supported Swift 5.2 and iOS 13 SDK. Xcode 11.7 was replaced by Xcode 12 and later versions, which require Swift 5.3 or higher and iOS 14 SDK or higher. If you need to use Xcode 11.7 for developing or testing apps that target older versions of Swift or iOS, you can use Retroactive to install Xcode 11.7 on macOS Ventura, Monterey, Big Sur, or Catalina.
iWork 09
iWork 09 was a suite of productivity apps that included Pages, Numbers, and Keynote. iWork 09 was replaced by newer versions of these apps that have different interfaces and features. If you prefer iWork 09 over the newer versions for its simplicity, compatibility, and functionality, you can use Retroactive to install iWork 09 on macOS Ventura, Monterey, Big Sur, or Catalina.
How to Use Retroactive to Run Your Favorite Apps on macOS
Now that you have seen some examples of apps that can be retroactively downloaded using Retroactive, you might be wondering how to use this tool to run your favorite apps on macOS Ventura, Monterey, Big Sur, or Catalina.
The process is quite simple and straightforward. Here are the steps you need to follow:
Step 1: Download Retroactive from GitHub and open it.
Retroactive is an open-source app that is available for free on GitHub. You can download the latest release from the . Once you have downloaded the ZIP file, extract it and open the Retroactive app.
Step 2: Pick the app you want to run and locate it on your Mac or download it from the App Store or a DVD disc.
Retroactive will show you a list of apps that it supports. You can choose the app you want to run from the list. Retroactive will then ask you to locate the app on your Mac or download it from the App Store or a DVD disc.
If you already have the app installed on your Mac or have a backup copy of it somewhere else (such as an external drive), you can select it and proceed to the next step.
If you don't have the app installed on your Mac or don't have a backup copy of it somewhere else (such as an external drive), you can download it from the App Store or a DVD disc using Retroactive's built-in downloader.
Retroactive will provide you with instructions on how to download the app from the App Store or a DVD disc depending on the app you choose. For example, if you choose Aperture, Retroactive will ask you to sign in with your Apple ID and password and then download Aperture from the App Store using Retroactive's downloader.
Step 3: Follow the instructions on Retroactive to unlock or install the app.
Once you have located or downloaded the app using Retroactive's downloader Once you have located or downloaded the app using Retroactive's downloader, you need to follow the instructions on Retroactive to unlock or install the app.
Retroactive will guide you through the process of unlocking or installing the app depending on the app you choose. For example, if you choose Aperture, Retroactive will ask you to grant it Full Disk Access and then unlock Aperture for you.
The unlocking or installing process may take a few minutes depending on the app and your Mac. Retroactive will show you a progress bar and a status message while it is working.
When the unlocking or installing process is done, Retroactive will show you a confirmation message and a button to launch the app.
Step 4: Enjoy your app on macOS Ventura, Monterey, Big Sur, or Catalina.
Now that you have unlocked or installed the app using Retroactive, you can enjoy your app on macOS Ventura, Monterey, Big Sur, or Catalina.
You can launch the app from Retroactive or from your Applications folder. You can also pin the app to your Dock or Spotlight for easy access.
You can use the app as you normally would on older versions of macOS. You can open your existing data and projects, use the features and functions, and customize the s