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Any ideas of whether or not it is possible still currently to download Catalina? I have read elsewhere that one cannot upload Catalina after going with Big Sur. Big Sur does not support my needs. I want to purge it and go back to Catalina.
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
Before starting make sure yoiu have a backup assume that you might have to wipe everything and start from scratch.
Either use time machine or manual backup of the files and data you want to keep
Back up your Mac with Time Machine - Apple Support
Best option is if you have a Time machine backup from when you had catalina.
then you can restore the OS from that backup.
Other than that you have 2 options, using a bootable installer.
How to create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support
Or installing the oldest available version, then updating it.
How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support
You have to erase the disk during this process:
How to erase an Intel-based Mac - Apple Support
If it knows Sierra has been installed: (just check what it starts installing)
If not:
On an Intel-based Mac, you can use Option-Command-R at startup to upgrade to the latest macOS that is compatible with your Mac. Exceptions:
Then update to the version of MacOS you want:
How to get old versions of macOS - Apple Support
Good luck!
Before starting make sure yoiu have a backup assume that you might have to wipe everything and start from scratch.
Either use time machine or manual backup of the files and data you want to keep
Back up your Mac with Time Machine - Apple Support
Best option is if you have a Time machine backup from when you had catalina.
then you can restore the OS from that backup.
Other than that you have 2 options, using a bootable installer.
How to create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support
Or installing the oldest available version, then updating it.
How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support
You have to erase the disk during this process:
How to erase an Intel-based Mac - Apple Support
If it knows Sierra has been installed: (just check what it starts installing)
If not:
On an Intel-based Mac, you can use Option-Command-R at startup to upgrade to the latest macOS that is compatible with your Mac. Exceptions:
Then update to the version of MacOS you want:
How to get old versions of macOS - Apple Support
Good luck!
I just read elsewhere on this forum that IF you do a Time Machine Backup with Big Sur as the OS it WILL NOT be readable in Catalina!
So, that's the only backup I have, was ready to wipe and go back to Catalina, and now apparently I cannot. Will have to pay to see what else can be done. My machine is slow, unwieldy and unfamiliar since I went to Big Sur.
Follow instructions of @Androish or pop in the TM Backup when in Recovery Mode ( Command + r ) at startup and choose Resort from Backup and choose a time Before Big Sur.
Thank you!
Is it possible to go back to Catalina?
