Can I upgrade from Monterey to Big Sur?
It is not possible to upgrade from Monterey to Big Sur. Once you have installed Monterey on your Apple Silicon Mac, you will be limited to that version and cannot revert back to a previous version of macOS. This is because Monterey is designed specifically for Apple Silicon Macs and has optimizations and features that are not available in Big Sur.
It’s worth noting that this limitation applies specifically to Apple Silicon Macs, which include the M1, M1 Pro, and M1 Max chips. If you have an Intel-based Mac, you may still have the option to downgrade to Big Sur from Monterey, but it would depend on the specific model and available firmware updates.
For Apple Silicon Macs, the earliest version of macOS that is supported is Big Sur. This means that if you have an M1 or later Mac, you cannot downgrade to a version earlier than Big Sur. The latest M1 Pro and M1 Max Macs, which are the newest additions to the Apple Silicon lineup, come preinstalled with Monterey and do not have the option to downgrade to Big Sur.
If you are considering downgrading to Big Sur from Monterey, it’s important to consider why you want to do so. Monterey offers new features, improvements in performance, and enhanced compatibility with Apple Silicon Macs. It may be beneficial to explore the features and capabilities of Monterey before deciding to downgrade.
In my personal experience, I have upgraded from Big Sur to Monterey on my M1 MacBook Air and have been pleased with the performance and features of Monterey. The transition was smooth, and I have not encountered any major issues or compatibility issues with the software I use regularly.
If you have an Apple Silicon Mac, you cannot upgrade from Monterey to Big Sur. The earliest version of macOS supported on these Macs is Big Sur, and the latest M1 Pro and M1 Max Macs cannot be downgraded from Monterey. It’s important to consider the reasons for wanting to downgrade and explore the features and benefits of Monterey before making a decision.