To restore your Mac to a previous version of macOS, you’ll need to follow a few steps. Please note that this process will erase all data on your Mac, so make sure you have a backup of your important files before proceeding. Here’s a detailed guide on how to restore your Mac to a previous macOS version:
1. Backup Your Data:
Before restoring your Mac, it’s crucial to have a backup of your important files. You can use Time Machine or any other backup solution to create a full backup of your Mac. This will ensure that you can access your data even after the restoration process.
2. Check Compatibility:
Make sure that the version of macOS you want to restore to is compatible with your Mac. Some older Mac models may not support the latest macOS versions. You can check the system requirements on Apple’s official website or consult the documentation for your specific Mac model.
3. Download the macOS Installer:
To restore your Mac to a previous macOS version, you’ll need to download the installer for that particular version. Apple periodically removes older versions from the App Store, but you can still find them on third-party websites or through official Apple support channels.
4. Create a Bootable Installer:
Once you have downloaded the macOS installer, you’ll need to create a bootable installer on a USB drive. This will allow you to boot your Mac from the USB drive and install the previous macOS version.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating a bootable installer:
– Insert a USB drive with at least 8GB of storage into your Mac.
– Open the Terminal application (found in the Utilities folder within the Applications folder).
– Use the ‘createinstallmedia’ command provided by Apple to create the bootable installer. The command syntax will vary depending on the macOS version you’re using. For example, if you’re creating a bootable installer for macOS Mojave, you would use the following command:
Sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Mojave.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia –volume /Volumes/MyVolume
Replace ‘MyVolume’ with the name of your USB drive.
5. Restart Your Mac and Boot from the USB Drive:
With the bootable installer ready, restart your Mac and hold down the Option (⌥) key while it boots up. This will bring up the Startup Manager, where you can select the USB drive as the startup disk. Once selected, click the arrow to boot from the USB drive.
6. Erase and Install macOS:
After your Mac boots from the USB drive, you’ll see the macOS installer screen. From here, select the “Disk Utility” option and erase your Mac’s internal drive. Be cautious as this step will erase all data on your Mac.
After erasing the drive, close Disk Utility and continue with the installation process. Follow the onscreen instructions to install the previous macOS version on your Mac. This may take some time, so be patient.
7. Restore Data from Backup:
Once the installation is complete, you can set up your Mac and restore your data from the backup you created earlier. During the setup process, you’ll be prompted to restore from a Time Machine backup or migrate data from another Mac or storage device. Choose the appropriate option and follow the instructions to restore your files and settings.
That’s it! Your Mac should now be restored to the previous macOS version you selected. Remember to reinstall any third-party apps and update them as needed.
Please note that restoring your Mac to a previous macOS version is not always recommended unless you have a specific reason to do so, such as compatibility issues or software requirements. It’s generally advisable to keep your Mac up to date with the latest macOS version to benefit from security updates and new features.