How to Downgrade macOS to a Previous Version
macOS is one of the most reliable operating systems. However, sometimes after an update, you may encounter some problems. In such cases, you can easily downgrade the macOS to a previous version until you sort out the issues with the update. There are many reasons to downgrade to a previous version of macOS, maybe a new update has bugs or causes compatibility issues, or you may be having performance issues after updating. This guide will take you through the steps to downgrade your macOS to a previous version.
Before proceeding with the process of downgrading your macOS, it is essential to backup your files. You don’t want to lose any important documents or files during the process. You can use iCloud or external storage, such as an external hard drive or a flash drive, to back up all your files.
Here are the steps to downgrade macOS to a previous version:
1. Create a bootable installer of the previous macOS version
To downgrade your macOS to a previous version, you need to create a bootable installer of the previous version of macOS on your USB drive. You can create a bootable USB installation drive using a third-party macOS utility such as DiskMaker X, which is free to download. Once you download and install it, launch the app and select the version of macOS you want to install. Insert a USB drive and choose “Use this copy” to create your bootable installer.
2. Boot your Mac from the USB drive
Once you have created a bootable installer of the previous version of macOS, connect the USB drive to your Mac and restart it. Press and hold the Option key until you see the Apple logo. In the startup manager, select the USB drive and press the Enter key to boot from the drive.
3. Erase the current macOS version from your Mac
To downgrade your macOS, you need to first erase the current macOS version from your device. To do this, open the Disk Utility app and select your startup disk. Then, click on the Erase button and wait for the process to complete.
4. Install the previous version of macOS
Once the previous version of macOS appears on your screen, select the install macOS option. Choose the destination drive and hit the Install button. Wait for the installation process to complete. After installing the previous version of macOS, the Mac will restart.
5. Restore your data
Once the previous macOS version is installed, you can now restore your data. Use your backup to restore your files and documents. You can either use an external drive or iCloud to restore your data.
Conclusion
Downgrading macOS to a previous version can be useful whenever you are encountering problems with the current version of the operating system. It enables you to restore your computer to the previous macOS version that was working well. Ensure that you back up all your data before proceeding with the process to avoid losing any files. With the above-discussed steps, you can quickly and safely downgrade your macOS to a previous version.