Carbon Copy Cloner (CCC), developed by Bombich Software, is a renowned backup and cloning utility for macOS, trusted by Mac users for its reliability in creating full drive backups, bootable clones, and incremental file backups. While the latest versions, such as CCC 7, support modern macOS releases like Ventura (13.1+), Sonoma (14.), Sequoia (15.), and Tahoe (16.*), older versions of CCC remain essential for users running legacy macOS systems or those needing compatibility with specific hardware configurations.
Accessing Legacy Versions
Bombich Software provides access to older versions of CCC for users operating on older macOS systems, such as Mountain Lion (10.8), Mavericks (10.9), Catalina (10.15), Big Sur (11.), or Monterey (12.). For instance, CCC 4.1.24 is available for Mountain Lion and Mavericks, but users must already possess a valid license for CCC 4, 5, or 6 to download it. Bombich no longer sells or supports CCC 3 or earlier, and licenses for these versions are not available for purchase. To download legacy versions, visit the official Bombich Software website at https://bombich.com/download, where older versions are listed for compatible systems.
Why Use Legacy Versions?
Legacy CCC versions are critical for users with older Macs that cannot upgrade to newer macOS releases. For example, CCC 4 and 5 are tailored for macOS versions prior to Ventura, ensuring compatibility with systems like Catalina or Big Sur. However, users should note that creating bootable backups on newer macOS versions (Big Sur and later) is challenging due to Apple’s cryptographically sealed System Volume, which requires Apple’s APFS replication utility for bootable clones. CCC’s Legacy Bootable Copy Assistant can help configure such backups, but reliability on Apple Silicon Macs is limited, and Bombich recommends treating CCC primarily as a backup solution rather than a bootable clone tool for these systems.
Considerations and Limitations
Older CCC versions, such as 4 or 5, may lack features introduced in CCC 6 or 7, like advanced snapshot management or iCloud file backup integration. Additionally, macOS Monterey and later may miscalculate disk usage in CCC 5, potentially affecting backup configurations. Users upgrading from CCC 6 to 7 should check their license eligibility—those who purchased CCC 6 before January 1, 2024, qualify for a 50% discount on CCC 7, while purchases on or after that date may receive a free upgrade.
Where to Download
For safe downloads, always use Bombich Software’s official site or trusted repositories like Uptodown, which hosts older CCC versions free of viruses. Avoid third-party sites that may bundle unwanted software. If you encounter download issues, Bombich provides an alternate download link on their site. Always verify your macOS version and license status before downloading to ensure compatibility.
By maintaining access to legacy versions, Carbon Copy Cloner ensures that users with older Macs can still benefit from its robust backup capabilities, preserving data security across a wide range of macOS environments.
Download links:
Bombich Software 7 – 5 Click Here
Macuser Software version 4 Click Here
Macuser Software version 3 Click Here