Reverting MacBook Air 13 inch from Big Sur to Majove using Time Machine backup

Hi all,


Recently, I upgraded from Majove to Big Sur. I have since realized that it was a mistake for several reasons. I want to go back to Majove.


My last Time Machine backup from the Majove system was June 1, 2025.


Is there a way to safely revert to where the computer was on June 1, 2025?


Thanks!!


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: [MacBook Air 13 inch, Early 2014] Recently upgraded from Majove to Big Sur. Now, I want to go back. I have Time Machine backup from when the computer was on Majove. How should I do it?

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 11.7

Posted on Sep 20, 2025 2:10 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 27, 2025 6:00 AM

I am reading between the lines and in danger of being told  'I knew that’; I'll go through the steps I would take.


Firstly TM will only restore data not the operating system.


On Big Sur set up I’d save the current data. This might be done using for example Carbon Copy Cloner to clone the Big Sur onto to an external hard drive or failing that copy and paste as much stuff e.g. user home folder(s) etc. etc etc onto an external hard drive. The more the better because everything on that drive is about to be lost.

 

I would then boot up Big Sur mac from an external bootable drive. Once done, then I’d erase the Big Sur drive. (that’s why it is vital to take a copy of everything).


I would then reinstall Mojave onto that clean drive. You need to use the latest Mojave installer or have access to all the subsequent updates.


Having now got Mojave installed, I’d plug in that June TimeMachine and run migration assist to copy everything back (including software).


Having done that I’d then go to the Big Sur backup and copy and paste the data that was created between June and now.

 

So

Copy Big Sur data;

Erase the Big Sur hard drive;

Install Mojave

Run migration assist;

Copy data from Big Sur backup


Just remember backup your existing Big Sur hard drive before you do anything else.

3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Sep 27, 2025 6:00 AM in response to yinsdianao

I am reading between the lines and in danger of being told  'I knew that’; I'll go through the steps I would take.


Firstly TM will only restore data not the operating system.


On Big Sur set up I’d save the current data. This might be done using for example Carbon Copy Cloner to clone the Big Sur onto to an external hard drive or failing that copy and paste as much stuff e.g. user home folder(s) etc. etc etc onto an external hard drive. The more the better because everything on that drive is about to be lost.

 

I would then boot up Big Sur mac from an external bootable drive. Once done, then I’d erase the Big Sur drive. (that’s why it is vital to take a copy of everything).


I would then reinstall Mojave onto that clean drive. You need to use the latest Mojave installer or have access to all the subsequent updates.


Having now got Mojave installed, I’d plug in that June TimeMachine and run migration assist to copy everything back (including software).


Having done that I’d then go to the Big Sur backup and copy and paste the data that was created between June and now.

 

So

Copy Big Sur data;

Erase the Big Sur hard drive;

Install Mojave

Run migration assist;

Copy data from Big Sur backup


Just remember backup your existing Big Sur hard drive before you do anything else.

Sep 27, 2025 2:06 PM in response to Need_help_give_help

Right- I skipped the prep steps. Looks like you've got it covered; some helpful links I've used when doing this in the past:


  1. Move any data you'd like to save onto an external disk (don't use TM to make a backup)
  2. Create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support and here's the macOS Mojave download to make it with
  3. Erase your Mac - Apple Support
  4. Use the bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support

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Reverting MacBook Air 13 inch from Big Sur to Majove using Time Machine backup

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