Does Time Machine back up the operating system?
This question has been asked before, but the system doesn't let me reply so I have to ask again.
I'm still not clear if macOS is stored in the Time Machine backup. Several articles on support.apple.com suggest it is not, but how was I able to get the macOS installed simply by doing a Restore From Time Machine in Recovery Mode? Two scenerios I experienced recently.
- My hard drive failed. I was able to restore macOS and my files from the Restore From Time Machine in Recovery Mode to an external SSD.
- But that is not the end of the mystery. After I restored to the external SSD, I upgraded it (from High Sierra to Monterey), did a full back up again. Then I tried to restore THAT to my second external SSD. So I booted into Recovery Mode and Restore From Time Machine. I expected to get Monterey but no, I got High Sierra in my second external SSD. Why? Where did High Sierra come from? The Apple server already stops making High Sierra available for Reinstall MacOS.
So does Time Machine back up the operating system? Yes or no?
