User profile for user: appl_kid
appl_kid Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

Time Machine System Restore not responding

I get as far as the "Select a Destination" screen, and am able to select my Macintosh HD, then press Restore and nothing happens.


I have decided to downgrade back to Catalina from Big Sur because I'm having a particular issue (which I have troubleshot for over a week now) with trying to access CAC-enabled sites. I have researched my issue in every crevasse of the internet that I can think of but I haven't found anyone who's had the same issue with Big Sur and my particular type of CAC reader.


So, since it was working on Catalina, I must go back. Fortunately, I backed my system up using TimeMachine on an external HD prior to updating to Big Sur. Unfortunately however, my many attempts to restore have failed.


I attempt to restore using Time Machine System Restore which I access using "Command + R" upon a restart. I am able to see the external hard drive and select the particular restore I desire. I then select my Macintosh HD, where I want to restore to. I click "restore" and nothing happens. I've tried several different restore points and get the same problem.


Is there any reason why Big Sur wouldn't allow me to do a full system restore back to a time when I had Catalina??


I would create a bootable installer but don't have an extra HD laying around and don't want to wait to have one shipped if I don't have to. Also, I'm now afraid that I will never be able to access my backups.


Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Posted on Dec 31, 2020 7:15 AM

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User profile for user: John Galt
John Galt
User level: Level 10
155,420 points

Posted on Dec 31, 2020 9:01 AM

Apple changed their Restore your Mac from a backup - Apple Support instructions concurrent with Big Sur. Now they want you to reinstall macOS first, followed by using Migration Assistant to transfer content from your TM backup.


Obviously you don't want to do that, so in your case you need to completely erase the destination first, including the necessity to remove the macOS system partition. To do that you need to erase the entire device. Then you need to use the proper startup key chord that results in reinstalling that Mac's originally installed operating system, or the one closest to it that remains available.


Then, upgrade to macOS Catalina if that's what you need: How to get old versions of macOS - Apple Support. I surmise Apple wants to discourage the use of anything earlier than the latest macOS version, whatever that may happen to be at the time.


Finally, migrate the content you need from the backup created prior to upgrading.


If all of this sounds terribly inconvenient you're right. That's the reason I advocate installing upgrades on trial volumes first, so that you can determine if things like CAC-required sites work as you need them to work: Upgrading macOS without fear - Apple Community.

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User profile for user: John Galt
John Galt
User level: Level 10
155,420 points

Dec 31, 2020 9:01 AM in response to appl_kid

Apple changed their Restore your Mac from a backup - Apple Support instructions concurrent with Big Sur. Now they want you to reinstall macOS first, followed by using Migration Assistant to transfer content from your TM backup.


Obviously you don't want to do that, so in your case you need to completely erase the destination first, including the necessity to remove the macOS system partition. To do that you need to erase the entire device. Then you need to use the proper startup key chord that results in reinstalling that Mac's originally installed operating system, or the one closest to it that remains available.


Then, upgrade to macOS Catalina if that's what you need: How to get old versions of macOS - Apple Support. I surmise Apple wants to discourage the use of anything earlier than the latest macOS version, whatever that may happen to be at the time.


Finally, migrate the content you need from the backup created prior to upgrading.


If all of this sounds terribly inconvenient you're right. That's the reason I advocate installing upgrades on trial volumes first, so that you can determine if things like CAC-required sites work as you need them to work: Upgrading macOS without fear - Apple Community.

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Time Machine System Restore not responding

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