Downgrade from Safari 15 to 14.x

Question

Level 1

12 points

Downgrade from Safari 15 to 14.x

On the Big Sur Software update screen, I checked to upgrade Big Sur but unchecked the upgrade to Safari 15 (I am 100% certain). Update runs, reboot: surprise I'm running Safari 15.

It's been an absolute nightmare that I specifically did not ask for: HOW do I downgrade Safari to 14.x?

If the answer is "reinstall the OS" do I need to boot into recovery mode for the OS my laptop came with (!!!), and then upgrade all the way to Big Sur (11.6 minus 1)? Just doing a reinstall and Time Machine restore is going to bring me right back to this mess, unless I can just restore the Safari application from my last TM backup? What is the Apple approved procedure?

Currently under an active AppleCare subscription

MacBook Pro (2020 and later)

Posted on Sep 23, 2021 5:34 PM

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Answer 1

tomedson

Level 1

9 points

Oct 7, 2021 5:00 PM in response to jweisen

I was able to downgrade from Safari 15 to Safari 14.1.2 by downloading and installing the full 12.6 GB macOS Big Sur installer from the Mac App Store. Be care because Apple will offer you the Safari 15 update if you have Check for Updates turned on in System Preferences. Just make sure you don't reinstall it.

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Answer 2

Ronasara

Level 6

15,519 points

Sep 24, 2021 10:51 AM in response to jweisen

Just to let you know, normally Safari can not be individually installed. It is part of the Mac's operating system. The following information may be helpful for you to know. There have recently been many reports of new problems with Safari. It seems that the recent Safari update has issues. Word has it that Apple knows about the problems and is working on a fix. I assume that it will be released fairly soon. In the meantime, use another browser such as Firefox or Chrome and they should work for you. Also, there are reports that reinstalling Safari and restarting the computer has resolved issues. I hope this helps.

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Answer 3

jweisen Author

Level 1

12 points

Sep 24, 2021 9:41 PM in response to jweisen

Apple support did not email me the procedure on how to downgrade that they promised, and when I called back into phone support it was closed for the day. After scouring the Internet for another couple hours I found what I was looking for:

https://mrmacintosh.com/macos-big-sur-full-installer-database-download-directly-from-apple/

Apple needs to PAY whomever makes/contributes to this site. Why am I paying for AppleCare when they can’t support their own products?

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Answer 4

jweisen Author

Level 1

12 points

Sep 23, 2021 6:16 PM in response to jweisen

Some more specifics since the Apple documentation is light on this topic:

"Restore a Time Machine backup"

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204904

Which notes, "If you need to reinstall macOS, do that before continuing. For example, if your Mac starts up to a flashing question mark, you need to first reinstall macOS." -- the answer is "yes", the OS needs to be downgraded.

How to reinstall MacOS:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204904

All of which I had found and read before contacting support, but did not answer my question or address this issue. I'm going to perform a Time Machine restore and see if I can revert to the last known/good configuration and leave it there.

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Answer 5

jweisen Author

Level 1

12 points

Sep 24, 2021 8:20 PM in response to jweisen

Called Apple Support today, spoke to two different technicians: the senior had never even heard of the erstwhile Combo Updaters. Could not give me a procedure to install Big Sur 11.5.2 or ensure if I started with the OS that came with my machine that it would allow me to choose any OS lower than Big Sur 11.6. She submitted a ticket to get an answer on that, still no update.

I did an Internet Recovery to install Catalina 10.5.7 which came with the Mac, and software update only offered me the security update, Safari 15, and Big Sur 11.6

My machine is no longer bricked, but in a nearly unusable state from this wonky restore that it needs to be burned-down again.

This article also not helpful

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211683

Remember when Apple Support gave you case numbers?

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Answer 6

Ronasara

Level 6

15,519 points

Sep 24, 2021 10:38 PM in response to jweisen

I am sorry that you are unhappy with this site. As you may know, it is fielded by Apple users, just like you, not Apple employees. Therefore, there are differing levels of experience and knowledge. The benefit is that we are offered a very wide range of volunteers, some of whom have vast experience in specific matters. We certainly do make mistakes as well. One thing I have learned in my lifetime is that when dealing with a company's customer service people, I sometimes get a good one and sometimes I get one that isn't up to my particular needs at the time. My solution, which has served me well, is to simply call back and try another support person. Certainly, not every Apple employee can know everything about every aspect of every Apple product. As for us, we are simply people helping each other. I personally have learned much from others who post here. Again, I am very sorry that you have been so disappointed. I suggest you use the link below to comment directly to Apple.

www.apple.com/feedback

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Answer 7

jweisen Author

Level 1

12 points

Sep 24, 2021 10:57 AM in response to Ronasara

I appreciate the reply, unfortunately I followed the Apple Support recommendations yesterday and bricked my laptop after nearly 12 hours of restoring from a TM backup. I'll have to get on the phone with Apple Support today: this thing is a mess.

For reference, this is what I saw:

The Big Sur release notes has NO mention of a Safari update itself, the link shown takes you to the Apple Security Updates page (one I'm familiar with and have visited many, many times), and following the link there for Big Sur 11.6 does not mention the word Safari once. Total #darkPattern

As far at the "other browsers", I do have them, and was a Chrome loyalist for years, but switched everything over probably 2 years ago and uninstalled Chrome/Firefox. I have multiple Apple devices and switch between them throughout the day, I'm pretty entrenched in the ecosystem, difficult to switch back (but maybe this is the push I need to break up with Safari).

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Answer 8

Ronasara

Level 6

15,519 points

Sep 24, 2021 11:13 AM in response to jweisen

You are right about one thing. Normally Safari cannot be individually installed. It's part of theMac's OS. However, there was a recent Safari only update. Apparently that change was added to updates and upgrades for Catalina and Big Sur, from what I can tell. I also have long used both Safari and Firefox. And for whatever reason, so far I have had No problems with Safari, although I did install its update. Go figure.

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Downgrade from Safari 15 to 14.x

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