You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Downgrade to macOS Catalina

Hi,


I want to downgrade my mac to macOS Catalina, because i need to use a program that does not work on macOS after Catalina.


And I was wondering if I reset my mac to factory settings, an older macOS automatically instals on my mac or the current macOS i have on my computer remains?

Posted on Dec 14, 2021 1:21 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Dec 14, 2021 2:41 AM

Use Disk Utility to erase an Intel-based Mac


How to reinstall macOS It will reinstall the OS based upon the version associated with the Recovery Volume of the internal Drive


This other method Will Wipe ALL DATA including the Recovery Volume - there is no recovery of Data - period.



To perform this action will require booting from a Bootable Installer


This will have to be performed from a Qualifying Computer to run the version of macOS to be made on the Bootable Installer. Example : Bootable Installer of Catalina would have to be done on a computer that Qualifies to run Catalina.


Once that is done read on for preparing the Destination computer.


Only works on Intel Based Apple Computers.


Extra Special Notation regarding the Touch ID equipped Apple Computer.


About Startup Security Utility and Must Enable from Recovery Mode the ability to boot from External Drive Before Attempting 


1 - Shutdown computer and disconnect all external drive Except the newly created Bootable Installer.


2- Restart and immediately hold the OPTION key until the Startup Manager appears and choose the USB Drive. 


3 - It will present options >> Disk Utilities >> View >> View ALL attached Drives. 


4 - Choose the Upper Most Drive ( not the volumes indented and list below ).


5 - The drive normally is called Apple Media or Apple SSD - that is the drive to Erase and format as APFS with the GUID Partition Map.


6 - Once that is done >> backup out of Disk Utilities and choose install macOS. 


7 - Follow the prompts and it may automatically reboot several time. 


8 - Upon a final reboot - Setup Assist will present with the newer version of macOS.



1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Dec 14, 2021 2:41 AM in response to nienke288

Use Disk Utility to erase an Intel-based Mac


How to reinstall macOS It will reinstall the OS based upon the version associated with the Recovery Volume of the internal Drive


This other method Will Wipe ALL DATA including the Recovery Volume - there is no recovery of Data - period.



To perform this action will require booting from a Bootable Installer


This will have to be performed from a Qualifying Computer to run the version of macOS to be made on the Bootable Installer. Example : Bootable Installer of Catalina would have to be done on a computer that Qualifies to run Catalina.


Once that is done read on for preparing the Destination computer.


Only works on Intel Based Apple Computers.


Extra Special Notation regarding the Touch ID equipped Apple Computer.


About Startup Security Utility and Must Enable from Recovery Mode the ability to boot from External Drive Before Attempting 


1 - Shutdown computer and disconnect all external drive Except the newly created Bootable Installer.


2- Restart and immediately hold the OPTION key until the Startup Manager appears and choose the USB Drive. 


3 - It will present options >> Disk Utilities >> View >> View ALL attached Drives. 


4 - Choose the Upper Most Drive ( not the volumes indented and list below ).


5 - The drive normally is called Apple Media or Apple SSD - that is the drive to Erase and format as APFS with the GUID Partition Map.


6 - Once that is done >> backup out of Disk Utilities and choose install macOS. 


7 - Follow the prompts and it may automatically reboot several time. 


8 - Upon a final reboot - Setup Assist will present with the newer version of macOS.



Downgrade to macOS Catalina

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.