restore BigSur on MBP retina with Time Machine

Rickyleroy wrote:

BDAqua wrote:

You might have to install interim OS Versions to get back to Big Sur, then Use Migration Assistantto retrieve your data.

See if you can upgrade to 10.11, 10.12, 10.13, 10.14, or 10.15, see sys requirements...

I don't understand what you want to say, what means "You might have to install interim OS Versions" ?

Last supported OSX for my MBP 15" hardware is the latest Big Sur which I already was using.

If you what to Jump Direct into macOS 11 Big Sur and bypass the Intermediate step presented by my colleague @BD Aqua

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’t be used.

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

Shutdown computer and disconnect all external drive Except the newly created Bootable Installer.

Restart and immediately hold the OPTION key until the Startup Manager appears and choose the USB Drive. 

It will present options >> Disk Utilities >> View >> View ALL attached Drives. 

Choose the Upper Most Drive ( not the volumes indented and list below ).

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. 

Once that is done >> backup out of Disk Utilities and choose install macOS. 

Follow the prompts and it may automatically reboot several time. 

Upon a final reboot - Setup Assist will present with the newer version of macOS.

You can use Setup Asset and point it to the Time Machine Backup Drive.

This is a One Time offer.

Thereafter you will need to use Migration Assist 

Just to clear up one point.

Somewhere around macOS 11 and above

Time Machine Backup Utility will - drum roll - Only backup the User Account Folder ( Home Folder ).

It does not copy / backup the Operating System .

For TM Backup to backup the Operating System ( Sealed and Read Only Volume ) it would have to able to Open this Volume, which is impossible

Now your User Account folder is safely backup up on your external drive

Then, yes the Operations System itself Must be first installed

Then Transfer to a new Mac with Migration Assistant

In your situation it is not moving to a new computer per se but to a new Internal Drive on the computer .

You might have to install interim OS Versions to get back to Big Sur, then Use Migration Assistantto retrieve your data.

See if you can upgrade to 10.11, 10.12, 10.13, 10.14, or 10.15, see sys requirements...

How to download and install macOS - Apple Support

https://itunes.apple.com/app/os-x-el-capitan/id1147835434?ls=1&mt=12

http://updates-http.cdn-apple.com/2019/cert/061-41424-20191024-218af9ec-cf50-4516-9011-228c78eda3d2/InstallMacOSX.dmg

but you can edit the domain part of the URL and change the "/cert/" to "/macos/" to still be able to download it:

https://updates.cdn-apple.com/2019/macos/061-41424-20191024-218af9ec-cf50-4516-9011-228c78eda3d2/InstallMacOSX.dmg

macOS Sierra - Technical Specifications - Apple Support

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/macos-sierra/id1127487414?ls=1&mt=12

Fix for 10.12 createinstallmedia "not a v… - Apple Community

Fix for 10.12 createinstallmedia "not a v… - Apple Community

macOS High Sierra - Technical Specifications

General Requirements

• OS X 10.8 or later
• 2GB of memory
• 14.3GB of available storage to perform upgrade*
• Some features require an Apple ID; terms apply.
• Some features require a compatible Internet service provider; fees may apply.

Mac Hardware Requirements

For details about your Mac model, click the Apple icon at the top left of your screen, choose About This Mac. These Mac models are compatible with macOS High Sierra:

• MacBook (Late 2009 or newer)
• MacBook Pro (Mid 2010 or newer)
• MacBook Air (Late 2010 or newer)
• Mac mini (Mid 2010 or newer)
• iMac (Late 2009 or newer)
• Mac Pro (Mid 2010 or newer)

macOS High Sierra - Technical Specifications - Apple Support

https://itunes.apple.com/app/macos-high-sierra/id1246284741?mt=12

macOS Mojave 10.14.6 - Technical Specifications

General Requirements

OS X 10.8 or later

2GB of memory

12.5GB of available storage (OS X El Capitan 10.11.5 or later)*

Some features require an Apple ID; terms apply.

Some features require a compatible Internet service provider; fees may apply.

Mac Hardware Requirements

For details about your Mac model, click the Apple icon at the top left of your screen and choose About This Mac. These Mac models are compatible with macOS Mojave:

MacBook (Early 2015 or newer)

MacBook Air (Mid 2012 or newer)

MacBook Pro (Mid 2012 or newer)

Mac mini (Late 2012 or newer)

iMac (Late 2012 or newer)

iMac Pro (2017)

Mac Pro (Late 2013; Mid 2010 and Mid 2012 models with recommended Metal-capable graphics cards)

Don't use FireFox for these links…

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/macos-mojave/id1398502828?mt=12

macOS Mojave - Technical Specifications - Apple Support

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/macos-mojave/id1398502828?mt=12

Don't use FireFox for these links…

macOS Catalina - Technical Specifications

General Requirements

• OS X 10.9 or later
• 4GB of memory
• 12.5GB of available storage (OS X El Capitan 10.11.5 or later)*
• Some features require an Apple ID; terms apply.
• Some features require a compatible internet service provider; fees may apply.

Mac Hardware Requirements

For details about your Mac model, click the Apple icon at the top left of your screen and choose About This Mac. These Mac models are compatible with macOS Catalina:

• MacBook (Early 2015 or newer)
• MacBook Air (Mid 2012 or newer)
• MacBook Pro (Mid 2012 or newer)
• Mac mini (Late 2012 or newer)
• iMac (Late 2012 or newer)
• iMac Pro (2017)
• Mac Pro (Late 2013 or newer)

How to download and install macOS - Apple Support

https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/macos-catalina/id1466841314?ls=1&mt=12

And caution on 10.15 or higher, to see which Apps will no longer work in 10.15 get Go64...

https://www.stclairsoft.com/Go64/

macOS Big Sur - Technical Specifications

General Requirements

• OS X 10.9 or later
• 4GB of memory
• 35.5GB available storage on macOS Sierra or later*
• Some features require an Apple ID; terms apply.
• Some features require a compatible internet service provider; fees may apply.

Mac Hardware Requirements

For details about your Mac model, click the Apple icon at the top left of your screen and choose About This Mac. These Mac models are compatible with macOS Big Sur:

• MacBook (2015 or later)
• MacBook Air (2013 or later)
• MacBook Pro (Late 2013 or later)
• Mac mini (2014 or later)
• iMac (2014 or later)
• iMac Pro (2017 or later)
• Mac Pro (2013 or later)

Learn about compatibility and how to identify your specific Mac model

Don't use FireFox or WaterFox for this link. it'll mess it up...

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/macos-big-sur/id1526878132?ls=1&mt=12

And caution on 10.15 or higher, to see which Apps will no longer work in 10.15 get Go64...

https://www.stclairsoft.com/Go64/

"Apple has started making the following macOS installers available outside of the Mac App Store (MAS).

• macOS Sierra
• OS X El Capitan
• OS X Yosemite"

https://derflounder.wordpress.com/2019/11/07/apple-moving-older-macos-installers-from-the-mac-app-store/

User wrote " Can I create BigSur boot installer by recovery console for example with terminal app of osMac utilities? "

I do not think that is possible

I will defer to the more Expert / Experienced Contributor @BDAqua for a more reliable response.

On second thought and after the Brain Fog lifted

No, not possible

Reason, there is not Functional Operating System on the Replacement Drive

Therefore, no way to execute the required Terminal command to make a Bootable Installer drive

I think, that may have been why my colleague may have suggesting to the " "You might have to install interim OS Versions" .

Yes. :)

Correct.

Well, it ca be done, the whole OS & all your Data & settings, by cloning, which is what I do, I use Carbon Copy Cloner...

http://www.bombich.com/software/ccc.html