Big Sur to Monterey Upgrade

Question

Level 1

16 points

Big Sur to Monterey Upgrade

Hi.

I tried to upgrade from Big Sur 11.7.10 to Monterey via my macmini Late 2014 but it didnt go through. The upload just stopped. Then I had difficulty to shutdown or restart...I eventually have to shutdown via pressing the power button. Been doing so for the past 2 months.

Recently I read that I can download Monterey via safe mode. I tried and it worked. Now, when I try to install Monterey via Macintosh HD, it says 'Volume can't be downgraded'.

Not sure what to do now. Please advise. Thanks in advance.

Posted on Feb 26, 2025 4:56 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

andrewsusay Author

Level 1

16 points

Feb 27, 2025 2:28 AM in response to BDAqua

Reply

Answer 2

BDAqua

Level 10

250,253 points

Feb 26, 2025 9:57 PM in response to andrewsusay

Have you tried this?

Create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support

With this file???

Monterey 12

Reply

Answer 3

BDAqua

Level 10

250,253 points

Feb 27, 2025 2:09 AM in response to andrewsusay

Have you booted from the usb installer by holding option key at startup, or selecting the usb stick in startup disk prefpane?

Do not run the installer that is in Applicarions.

Hmm, do a get info under the apple icon, About this MSc, what OS does it say?

Reply

Answer 4

Owl-53

Level 10

102,193 points

Feb 27, 2025 2:07 AM in response to andrewsusay

Under normal circumstances the message " Volume can't be downgraded " would mean, drum roll

There is a Newer Version of macOS already installed on the Internal Drive.

What has been download is a older version of macOS which, when attempting to install would present " Volume can't be downgraded "

Is that possible ?

@BDAqua - sorry for injecting myself here 😔

Reply

Answer 5

BDAqua

Level 10

250,253 points

Feb 27, 2025 1:37 AM in response to andrewsusay

Oh, the finished install will take up 35gb… are you booted from the USB stick?

Are you selecting Machintosh HD to install to?

Reply

Answer 6

andrewsusay Author

Level 1

16 points

Feb 27, 2025 1:44 AM in response to BDAqua

So initially I tried to install to Macintosh HD but couldn't as it says"can't be downgraded".

I am now doing the 'Bootable installer via USB' as advise so this is where I am now at.

Not sure if I have answered your Question. Thanks as always

Reply

Answer 7

andrewsusay Author

Level 1

16 points

Feb 27, 2025 2:14 AM in response to BDAqua

I have not done anything thus far..waiting for my 64 GB kingston flashdrive to arrive tommorrow or day after. Will see how it goes. Will read more articles as well.

There are more questions for that as well i.e. will I be able to use my Macintosh HD as a start up once I have saved monterey OS in my flashdrive? ...etc etc.

So pretty much dazed and confused as well as this is the first time it has happened since my iMac (Snow Leopard days) and now mac mini as well.

Thanks once again for the continuos support...I do have plan B which is to go get a blessed M4 mac mini. BTW The only reason I am upgrading to Monterey is because whatsApp desktop will stop supporting 11.7 in 2 months time.

Thanks again. Will revert if there's any updates to report. Pleasant day ahead.

Reply

Answer 8

BDAqua

Level 10

250,253 points

Feb 27, 2025 2:32 AM in response to andrewsusay

There are more questions for that as well i.e. will I be able to use my Macintosh HD as a start up once I have saved monterey OS in my flashdrive? ...etc etc.

You’re not actually saving Monterey to the flash drive, you need to read how to convert the download to a standalone installer, 16gb should be fine.😊

The first link I posted.

Reply