Mac mini: Can I downgrade to OS X 10.8.5?

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Level 1

5 points

Mac mini: Can I downgrade to OS X 10.8.5?

Simple question: Since the "current" Mac mini is the Late 2012 model, which originally shipped with OS X 10.8.x, is it possible to purchase a new unit today, wipe the drive, and install OS X 10.8.5? I have a 10.8.x installer.

Reason for this question: I have read about many problems with Server 3.x on OS X 10.9.x and Windows clients. I need to use a Mac mini to support some Windows 7 clients and know 10.8.5 with Server is stable.

Is this viable? Any other thoughts?

Thank you,

Pete

Posted on Sep 30, 2014 2:37 PM

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Answer 1

lllaass

Level 10

210,411 points

Sep 30, 2014 2:45 PM in response to Pmgrnvl

I think so but you may have to install it i the Mini's disk from another Mac.

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Answer 2

kahjot

Level 4

2,462 points

Sep 30, 2014 4:55 PM in response to Pmgrnvl

I installed 10.8.5 on my late 2012 Mini. It came with Mavericks. I added a partition for Mountain Lion, and installed from a flash drive that I had made with DiskMaker X.

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Answer 3

dcimino

Level 1

33 points

Sep 30, 2014 6:06 PM in response to kahjot

easily done by booting into the restore mode and reinstalling 10.8.5 just select install fresh copy of ML this will leave all your settings, apps and other data intact

I have done this many time and I am using the same mac mini……

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Answer 4

dcimino

Level 1

33 points

Oct 1, 2014 8:30 AM in response to Pmgrnvl

easily done by booting into the restore mode and reinstalling 10.8.5 just select install fresh copy of ML this will leave all your settings, apps and other data intact

I have done this many time and I am using the same mac mini……

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Answer 5

lllaass

Level 10

210,411 points

Oct 1, 2014 1:31 AM in response to dcimino

That will not work if the Mini came with Mavericks. Reinstalling using internet recovery installs the OS version that came with the Mini.

dcimino wrote:

easily done by booting into the restore mode and reinstalling 10.8.5 just select install fresh copy of ML this will leave all your settings, apps and other data intact

I have done this many time and I am using the same mac mini……

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Answer 6

dcimino

Level 1

33 points

Oct 1, 2014 8:03 AM in response to lllaass

The response was to:

"Simple question: Since the "current" Mac mini is the Late 2012 model, which originally shipped with OS X 10.8.x, is it possible to purchase a new unit today, wipe the drive, and install OS X 10.8.5? I have a 10.8.x installer."

He clearly states that his late 2012 came with 10.8.x so lets not create confusion.

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Answer 7

lllaass

Level 10

210,411 points

Oct 1, 2014 8:25 AM in response to dcimino

The original poster did not say that his 2012 Mini originally came with ML. All he said was the 2012 Mini originally shipped with ML.

There is a difference with "his" Mini and "2102 model".Mini

dcimino wrote:

The response was to:

"Simple question: Since the "current" Mac mini is the Late 2012 model, which originally shipped with OS X 10.8.x, is it possible to purchase a new unit today, wipe the drive, and install OS X 10.8.5? I have a 10.8.x installer."

He clearly states that his late 2012 came with 10.8.x so lets not create confusion.

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Answer 8

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

Oct 1, 2014 8:28 AM in response to dcimino

dcimino wrote:

The response was to:

"Simple question: Since the "current" Mac mini is the Late 2012 model, which originally shipped with OS X 10.8.x, is it possible to purchase a new unit today, wipe the drive, and install OS X 10.8.5? I have a 10.8.x installer."

He clearly states that his late 2012 came with 10.8.x so lets not create confusion.

No he does not, read it again.

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Answer 9

dcimino

Level 1

33 points

Oct 1, 2014 8:59 AM in response to Csound1

My bad, you're right… I grossly misread that.

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Answer 10

Pmgrnvl Author

Level 1

5 points

Oct 1, 2014 12:24 PM in response to dcimino

Yes. Hypothetical "new" Mac mini would come with Mavericks, as it is current. However, the model line, "Late 2012 Mac mini" originally shipped with Mountain Lion. So, unless Apple did a rolling firmware change, it would seem a downgrade *should* work. However, I wanted to confirm.

Thanks all!

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Answer 11

Oct 28, 2014 6:54 PM in response to Pmgrnvl

So. did it work? Were you ever able to successfully install to 10.8.x? I have the same dilemma. My mini came with Mavericks pre-installed but I would like to revert back to any 10.8 version. Let us know how it turned out.

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