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MacOS

Why can I only install macOS monterey from the recovery start up instead of the default macOS Big Sur my Mac came with that I used to be able to re intsall from the recovery startup?

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 12.6

Posted on Dec 13, 2022 9:41 PM

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Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Dec 14, 2022 4:57 AM

The system wants to install the last OS you had. If you have an Intel Mac and you want to install the OS that came with your Mac then you need to boot into recovery a different way. See the attached process at the bottom:

How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support


2 replies

Dec 14, 2022 6:08 AM in response to jonni650

The Recovery Volume of this computer has been updated to Monterey


If the user wants to Roll Back from Monterey to Big Sur >>


Scorched Earth Method 


This method will WIPE ALL Data and there is No Recovery - Period.


>> Only works on Intel Based Apple Computer <<


To perform this action will require booting from a Bootable Installer


The Bootable Installer can Only be performed on an Apple Computer 


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 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.


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. 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.

MacOS

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