When I go to Recovery mode, to Time Machine in order to restore a previous OS, after selecting which time, I am returned to the beginning selection panel...without the restore taking place. What am I doing wrong? Thanks
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
iMac 21.5″ 4K, macOS 13.6
My learned colleague is very correct regarding TM Backup
Somewhere around macOS 11 Big Sur and newer, TM Backup only backs up the User Account and all that is contained within the Home Folder
Now downgrading is another issue and is not really supported by Apple
It can be done but not recommended
" restore a previous OS " will require wiping the Entire Drive to Zero
That would require booting into a Bootable Installer on an External Drive
Judging fro. the user byline >> iMac 21.5″ 4K, macOS 13.6
This would be an Intel Based Computer ?
This method will WIPE ALL Data and there is No DATA 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’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.
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
My learned colleague is very correct regarding TM Backup
Somewhere around macOS 11 Big Sur and newer, TM Backup only backs up the User Account and all that is contained within the Home Folder
Now downgrading is another issue and is not really supported by Apple
It can be done but not recommended
" restore a previous OS " will require wiping the Entire Drive to Zero
That would require booting into a Bootable Installer on an External Drive
Judging fro. the user byline >> iMac 21.5″ 4K, macOS 13.6
This would be an Intel Based Computer ?
This method will WIPE ALL Data and there is No DATA 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’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.
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
I don't use Time Machine for my backups but as I understand it Time Machine no longer backs up the operating system, just your files and your self installed apps. That being the case, you will need to reinstall the OS yourself.
Thank you for replying! At least I know my computer isn't malfunctioning.
Thank you so much for the in depth reply.
You are welcome
Unable to restore my iMac Running macOS Ventura using Time Machine.
