I need to do a complete restore of my system. When I boot into the restore environment and choose a backup to restore from I get a message that I need to restore the OS and then use migration assistant for the rest, at least that's what I think it is telling me. I am running OSX Monterey 12.3.1 on a 2014 Mac Mini.
much thanks
john
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 Monterey would have to be done on a computer that Qualifies to run Monterey.
Notation: If the computer being used to perform this action is Too New or Too Old to qualify to run the version of macOS - this computer can not be used.
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 Monterey would have to be done on a computer that Qualifies to run Monterey.
Notation: If the computer being used to perform this action is Too New or Too Old to qualify to run the version of macOS - this computer can not be used.
Does the >> Computer Qualify for the Monterey upgrade
Mac mini
Learn how to identify your Mac mini.
That is correct. Time Machine on Monterey (maybe Big Sur, too), does not back up the OS.
If you need an offline restore capability, you need to create and update a bootable USB installer. I’m not sure if that is a purely offline capability, though.
Minutes after I upgraded to Monterey I knew it was a mistake. So, if I want to restore everything but the OS what are my choices? I tried Migration Assistant and at the rate it was going it was going to take weeks to restore everything so I cancelled that.
thanks
john
Sorry, but I don't understand what you are saying. What is meant by a Qualifying computer? I guess I first have to find out if my mac mini qualifies and if it does I need to create bootable media? And if by some chance I figure out how to do that then what? Okay, did Apple replace their OS development team with microsoft developers? This is insane and should have been made clear. I am tempted to restore from a Catalina backup and be done with this Monterey craziness.
So if I want to revert back to Catalina I would have to create a bootable Catalina install USB? I figure if I want to go back to how everything was 5 days ago the pre-Monterey restore would get me there. Well luckily I just found how to fix the problem which put me on the path to performing a restore. BTW, If I do want to restore my account I assume I would use Migration Assistant, correct? If that's the case why is it soooooo slow. Just to calculate the sizes of what needs to be restored takes 5 minutes.
me again, if I have to download the OS install to create a bootable installer I am not necessarily getting the OS I want. If I applied a number of revs and the last rev caused me problems I would then like to go back to the OS just before I applied it which I could get from TM. Now, I'm at the point I am considering going back to Catalina, but the problem is, if I understand correctly, I would need a bootable usb with a Catalina install which I do not have. It sounds like you think it a good idea to the restore change. I do not see any benefits of the change. If it's not broken then make lemonade, or something like that
You asked:
"BTW, If I do want to restore my account I assume I would use Migration Assistant, correct? If that's the case why is it soooooo slow. Just to calculate the sizes of what needs to be restored takes 5 minutes. "
How long migration takes depends upon the speed of the connection and ™ backup disk macOS disk
Yesterday as a test, I installed Monterrey on an external 2 ½" SSD in Thunderbolt 2 enclosure connected to my Studio Max. The ™ disl was also a 2 ½" SSD in a enclosure connected via USB-C. Migrating about 300GB took about 45 minutes.
Previously I migrated the same data from a NVMe drive I had in my 2013 Mac Pro connected to the Studio and migration took about 27 minutes.
You will need a USB installer with Catalina and then migrate your files. Follow the earlier link to make a USB installer and pick Catalina.
I haven’t tried many times, but I’ve never seen it take any longer than a Time Machine restore.
The issue is if you do select to restore it will just put back the OS that you presently have so that is why you need to use a USB installer that has the version you really want.
Thank you. I see issues with this method of restoring a system, but it is what it is. I have to assume that the apple developers know what they are doing and have their reasons.
thanks again
TimeMachine restore requires Migration Assistant
