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Cannot download another MacOS while a newer OS is being used

I have Monterey loaded into my iMac. How can I get Catalina loaded into my system?

Posted on Dec 15, 2021 7:54 PM

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Question marked as Apple recommended

Did this iMac come with macOS Monterey pre-installed? If so, you cannot downgrade it to an earlier macOS version.

Posted on Dec 15, 2021 10:17 PM

2 replies

Dec 16, 2021 2:11 AM in response to HappyDays24

As stated by previous posting that would block and downgrading.


Should the Monterey was a upgrade from a previous version of macOS and this computer Qualifies to run Catalina >> see below.


This Method will Wipe ALL DATA including the Recovery Volume - there is Not Recovery - 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.

Cannot download another MacOS while a newer OS is being used

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