How To Downgrade Mac Os High Sierra

People are currently reading this guide.

👤

Published by A contributor at Hows.Tech sharing helpful insights.

📝 Article edited 0 times 🕒 Last modified by Default Author

So You Want to Downgrade macOS High Sierra? You Rebel, You!

Let's face it, sometimes the shiny new update isn't all sunshine and rainbows. Maybe your favorite productivity app throws a tantrum on the new OS, or perhaps your entire aesthetic is built around that gloriously retro dock. Whatever your reason for wanting to ditch High Sierra and return to the simpler times, you're not alone. There's a whole tribe of us out there – the resistance, if you will!

But before we embark on this journey of downgrading, a word of caution: downgrading isn't exactly a walk in the park (unless your park involves a lot of technical jargon and troubleshooting). It's best reserved for those comfortable navigating the wild world of Mac utilities and reinstalling operating systems.

However, if you're feeling adventurous (or maybe just desperate to get your vintage screensaver back), then fear not, fellow traveler! This guide will be your trusty compass.

The Two Paths to Downgrading Nirvana

There are two main ways to downgrade macOS High Sierra, each with its own set of pros and cons. Choose wisely, grasshopper!

1. The Time Machine Triumph:

This method is all about the power of backups. If you have a trusty Time Machine backup from a pre-High Sierra era, then you're in luck! It's like having a magic portal back to a simpler time.

Pros: Relatively painless (if you have the backup), good for those who aren't comfortable with erasing drives.
Cons: Requires a pre-High Sierra Time Machine backup, might not be available for everyone.

2. The Clean Slate Safari:

This method involves wiping your Mac clean and installing an older version of macOS. It's a bit more involved, but hey, sometimes you gotta break a few eggs to make a downgrade omelette.

Pros: A clean install can sometimes improve performance, works even if you don't have a Time Machine backup.
Cons: You'll lose any data that wasn't backed up, requires creating a bootable installer (which sounds fancy, but can be a bit technical).

How to Choose Between These Paths?

Feeling nostalgic and have a reliable Time Machine guardian angel? Head straight to the Time Machine Triumph section (coming up next!).

More of a clean slate enthusiast (or tragically backup-less)? The Clean Slate Safari awaits!

## Conquering the Time Machine Triumph

Here's how to harness the power of your Time Machine and downgrade to a simpler time:

Boot into Recovery Mode: Hold down Command and R while restarting your Mac. This is like entering Narnia through the back of the wardrobe, but with less wardrobe and more glowing Apple logo.
Navigate the Utility Menu: Select "Restore From Time Machine Backup" and continue.
Choose Your Time Travel Destination: Pick the Time Machine backup from the pre-High Sierra era. Think of it as picking a date on your historical time travel tour.
Let Time Do Its Magic: Sit back, relax, and let Time Machine work its wonders. This might take a while, so brew a cup of tea and reminisce about the good ol' days of floppy disks (or whatever your pre-High Sierra era involved).
Welcome Back to the Past! Once the restore is complete, you'll be back in the comforting embrace of your pre-High Sierra Mac. Now, go forth and conquer with your vintage dock and well-behaved apps!

## Embarking on the Clean Slate Safari

If the Time Machine Triumph isn't an option, fear not! Here's how to embark on the Clean Slate Safari:

Download the Installer: You'll need an installer for an older version of macOS compatible with your Mac. This might involve some digging around on Apple's website (or, ahem, other corners of the internet).
Create a Bootable Drive: This involves using a tool called Disk Utility to create a bootable USB drive containing the installer. Think of it as packing your digital downgrade survival kit. There are plenty of online tutorials to help you with this step.
Boot into Recovery Mode (Again!): We're revisiting our friend Recovery Mode with Command and R.
Reinstall macOS: Select "Reinstall macOS" from the Utility Menu and follow the on-screen instructions. This will erase your drive and install the downloaded macOS version.
Set Up Your Downgraded Paradise: Once the installation is complete, you'll be prompted

5523240511180122031