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Mac Os Bigsur downgrade

HI there! I m currently running a Macbook air 13”, early 2015. And a few months ago i updated it to big sur. And my mac was running really slow. I wonder if i could downgrade it to Catalina? Or do you have another option for me to try?


MacBook Air 13″

Posted on Apr 28, 2023 6:22 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Apr 29, 2023 2:47 AM

It’s not possible to officially downgrade to an earlier version of macOS. Personally, I have a MacBook Pro (Late 2013) running Big Sur, and I’m not experiencing any performance issues. So, even if there were a way to do so, I don’t think it’s necessary for you to downgrade to Catalina.


Make sure your Mac is up to date with the latest version of Big Sur, as this may solve the problem you’re having. (Update macOS on Mac - Apple Support)


Your Mac may also be slowed down by not having enough storage space. Make sure the storage isn’t completely full and delete any unnecessary files or apps you may have: Free up storage space on your Mac - Apple Support


If none of these steps work, you may have to reinstall macOS Big Sur: How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support


Feel free to let me know how this goes!

2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Apr 29, 2023 2:47 AM in response to imandhia

It’s not possible to officially downgrade to an earlier version of macOS. Personally, I have a MacBook Pro (Late 2013) running Big Sur, and I’m not experiencing any performance issues. So, even if there were a way to do so, I don’t think it’s necessary for you to downgrade to Catalina.


Make sure your Mac is up to date with the latest version of Big Sur, as this may solve the problem you’re having. (Update macOS on Mac - Apple Support)


Your Mac may also be slowed down by not having enough storage space. Make sure the storage isn’t completely full and delete any unnecessary files or apps you may have: Free up storage space on your Mac - Apple Support


If none of these steps work, you may have to reinstall macOS Big Sur: How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support


Feel free to let me know how this goes!

May 1, 2023 2:55 AM in response to imandhia

Technically - to Downgrade will required removing Everything on the computer including the Recovery Volume


Scorched Earth Method 


This method will WIPE ALL Data and there is No 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 Catalina would have to be done on a computer that Qualifies to run Catalina.


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 not be used.


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


Extra Special Notation regarding the Touch ID equipped Apple Computer.


 About Startup Security Utility and Must Enable from Recovery Mode the ability to boot from External Drive Before Attempting 




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


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


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


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


5 - 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. 


5A - Formatting for macOS 10.13 High Sierra and below requires HFS Journaled with the GUID Partition Map


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


7 - Follow the prompts and it may automatically reboot several time. 


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

Mac Os Bigsur downgrade

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