can I revert to older version of Pages?

I've just installed Pages 14.2 on an M1 MBP with newly installed 14.7.1, and discovered that the app crashes consistently, or hangs and needs to be force quit.


The version I had on the same machine (but running Ventura) worked perfectly. Can I replace the new version with the older one using TimeMachine - and if so, is it simply a matter of clicking 'restore' on the Pages app in the back up?

MacBook Pro (M1, 2020)

Posted on Dec 4, 2024 04:28 AM

Reply
5 replies

Dec 4, 2024 06:27 AM in response to citroenDS

I have Pages v14.1 currently running on Ventura without issues. Before I upgraded my Sonoma 14.7.1 system to Sequoia (currently v15.1.1), I had Pages v14.1 and v14.2 running on Sonoma without any issues. All of my files are stored on the local drive, and by that, I do not mean by application proxy to a Microsoft OneDrive, Google Drive, or DropBox remote cloud.


I have never felt the need to remove any version of Pages and replace it with an older version from a Time Machine backup. I recommend that you attempt to fix what issue is causing the current Pages behavior since removing Pages v14.2 and restoring an older version is not something I can predict the outcome.


Let's start with these questions:

  1. When you launch Pages v14.2 without attempting to open a file, does it crash immediately or do you get to the Template chooser?
    1. If it does immediately crash, before you launch it again, press and hold the shift key while launching it. That will prevent it from referencing its last saved application state and this frequently avoids the crash cycle.
  2. Does Pages crash upon your opening a specific file or any Pages document? Was this a local file, cloud-based file, or stored on network attached storage (NAS) filesystem?
  3. Have you rebooted your Mac and the problem persists?
  4. Have you rebooted your Mac into Safe Boot mode and then experienced Pages not crashing with the same document that it crashed previously? If it did not crash, reboot normally and see if Pages crashes again.
  5. Are you running any anti-virus, or so-called Mac "cleaning" applications, or using a VPN connection? These have been known to create odd circumstances in applications and the operating system and should be removed.

Dec 4, 2024 08:35 AM in response to VikingOSX

Thanks for your response. And I agree that fixing is better than replacing.


In answer to your questions:


  1. I can launch Pages, get beyond the template chooser and immediately start writing a new document.  Sometimes it takes over 30 seconds to launch (feels longer), sometimes it's instant. I can write about half a line of words, and then it always hangs.  Pages then shows as 'not responding' and then (after about 25 - 40 seconds) it either starts working OK, or I need to Force Quit.


2. It takes about 30 seconds to open a Pages document - (stored locally on the MBP).


3. I've rebooted twice to no effect.


4. Behaviour is the same when booting into Safe mode. 


5.No.



I've only recently updated from Ventura > Sonoma and this particular difficulty with Pages is only part of the picture. If it helps, see also > unable to open Photos on external drive a… - Apple Community


Dec 5, 2024 05:33 AM in response to citroenDS

I think that before you reinstall the operating system, you might consider moving the existing Pages property list file to your Desktop and then relaunch Pages to see if it continues to misbehave. If not, it was that file which it will recreate, and if it so, then reinstall the operating system by booting your M1 Mac into Recovery.


The Pages property list file is here:

/Users/yourname/Library/Containers/com.apple.Iwork.Pages/Data/Library/Preferences/com.apple.iWork.Pages.plist


Beyond these measures, I have no other suggestions than already offered.

Dec 4, 2024 12:13 PM in response to citroenDS

I think at this point, it might be interesting to see if the future point release of Sonoma (if there is one), or another Pages version update resolves your current issues. In the interim, try Pages v14.2 without any other user applications active. Review your remaining storage too.


Realistically, I have no solution for you based on what you have already done and do not have installed. It can take Pages a while to open a document, especially if it is a large mixed content document, or you attempt to launch Pages while Spotlight is indexing (right after first boot), and/orTime Machine is running.




Dec 4, 2024 02:31 PM in response to VikingOSX

Pages 14.2 would be unusable if everyone was experiencing this, so I can't feel optimistic about updates - and I only use Pages for writing, no mixed content.


Photos, as I said, is being similarly unresponsive.


There's lots of free storage space on both the MBP and the SSD.


I'm considering reinstalling over the existing new install. Does that sound reasonable to you?


And would there be any comments or recommendations you might have if I do so?

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

can I revert to older version of Pages?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.