Switch from Catalina to OSX?

first consider den.thed's reply. but I interpreted your question a little differently. are you asking about downgrading from Catalina to a version of OSX?

the best route would be to erase the Mac, and then install your desired version of OSX. that Mac can run OSX as early as OSX 10.8.X. please first see Erase and reinstall macOS. and on that page, please see How to download and install macOS.

also, for the earlier OSX, internet recovery often does not work for reinstalling the OS. you should use the Mac in question to Create a bootable installer for macOS before erasing the Mac.

rtty wrote:

Thanks. I was asking because there is a program I need that only runs on OSX11

What software are you wanting to run that requires macOS 11 Big Sur...?

Only the 2014, the 2018 and the 2020 Mac mini's models can run macOS 11 Big Sur.

The 2023 M2 Mac mini model can not run anything lower than macOS 13 Monterey.

The 2024 M4 Mac mini model can not rung anything lower than macOS 15 Sequoia.

To identify the different Mac mini models, see > Identify your Mac mini model - Apple Support

Catalina 10.15 is the highest macOS that your 2012 Mac mini can run.

If you need to run a later macOS version, then you need a new or newer year model Mac.

Ok, you're getting confused about names. There is no OSX11 - there is OS X 10.11 (the 10 is a bit redundant because the X stands for 10 already), or there is OS 11 Big Sur which is what I think you mean.

you're welcome. :)

rtty wrote:

There is a program I need that only runs on OSX11 or above. Thank you!

Apple used the names "Mac OS X" and "OS X" for 10.0 ("Cheetah") through 10.11 ("El Capitan"). Apple switched to the name "macOS" starting with 10.12 ("Sierra").

There is no "OS X 11" per se. So are you talking about OS X 10.11 ("El Capitan"), or macOS 11 ("Big Sur")?

If you are talking about El Capitan, you're already running something four versions newer than El Capitan. There is a possibility that an application that runs on El Capitan would not run on Catalina. For instance, 32-bit applications are supported on macOS 10.14 ("Mojave") and earlier, but will not run at all on Catalina and up.

If you are talking about Big Sur, your Mac is too old to upgrade to it.