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Backwards restore from 11.6.5 to 10.12.6

I have 11.6.5 currently installed and want to go back to a Time Machine copy when it was 10.12.6, but it's not able to. But if I try to reinstall 10.12.6 from a .dmg, "This copy of "Install macOS" application is too old to be opened on this version of macOS"


Is there *any* way to go back short of wiping the whole thing and starting over from an install disk? (The new version bolloxed up some apps, which I probably can't get again if I wipe it)

Posted on May 5, 2022 4:26 PM

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Posted on May 5, 2022 5:31 PM

You could install to an external drive, the problem is that 10.12.x cannot be installed on an APFS partition/drive as is required by 11.6.5


How to get old versions of macOS - Apple Support


Then make a bootable USB installer...


How to create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support

10 replies

May 6, 2022 8:02 AM in response to acagleTheGod

This method will WIPE ALL Data and there is No 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.


Only as Example : Bootable Installer of Big Sur would have to be done on a computer that Qualifies to run Big Sur.


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.


Alternative is, to gain access to a Qualifying Apple Computer from a family member, friend or associate.


Once that is done read on for preparing the Destination computer  >> Only works on Intel Based Apple Computers.



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. This applies to macOS 10.14 Mojave and above


5A - Formatting for macOS 10.13 High Sierra and below requires HFS Journaled 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.

May 9, 2022 2:01 PM in response to BDAqua

BDAqua - have used this for Sierra years and years ago.


But, have seen some having issue with Path in the command.


sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Sierra.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/Untitled  --applicationpath /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Sierra.app --nointeraction &&say Done

Backwards restore from 11.6.5 to 10.12.6

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