How do I downgrade from Tahoe to the previous macOS version?

You will need to create a bootable macOS USB installer for the OS you wish to use by using the instructions in the following Apple article:

Create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support

Also, I hope you made a backup prior to installing Tahoe, otherwise you will need to manually transfer your documents to the older OS. If you have updated documents since your last non-Tahoe backup, then you will want to transfer those documents to another location before you erase the Mac to install the older OS, otherwise you will lose those changes. Downgrading the OS can be a pain if you have a lot of document changes.

FYI, you will need to perform a clean install of macOS in order to downgrade to an older version of macOS. This involves using Disk Utility to erase the disk using the information in the following Apple article:

How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support

If you are using an Intel Mac, then you will first need to modify the security settings to allow booting from USB by using the Startup Security Utility, otherwise you will need to boot into Internet Recovery Mode using Command + Option + Shift + R to access the online installer for the version of macOS which originally shipped with the Mac from the factory.

I have not used very long so have not had a chance to adjust settings but as installed it is hard on my old eyes and do not care for the icon design changes. Also the new Safari 26 messed up the bookmarks in the sidebar.

Also resolved the bookmarks in side bar issue:

Found solution. If you click on the "..." in upper right corner and select compact and uncheck show folders on top the bookmarks remain after closing Safari and opening again. Apple did not make this very clear.

Ries van twisk wrote:

I just update to Tahoe and now I am getting a god awful look.

You're going to have to explain further.

Feel free to send Apple feedback.

Feedback - macOS - Apple

Already did, but thanks for the reminder.

Anytime.

Where do I find the "..." in the upper right to fix the bookmark side bar? I'm not seeing that.

MtD

Thanks. I'm still on Sequoia, just updated to 15.7, and haven't updated to Tahoe... I don't have those "..." available on the sidebar.

Just discovered that if you update to Safari 26 or Sequoia 15.7 the "..." menu in the side bar is missing. Only shows if with Tahoe 26. I believe this is a bug with Safari 26 and Sequoia.

tbirdvet wrote:

I believe this is a bug with Safari 26 and Sequoia.

Why do you believe it's a "bug" as opposed to Apple just made a change with Tahoe?