How-to Downgrade macOS Tahoe to Older macOS (Sequoia, Sonoma, etc.) - Apple Silicon Mac

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through the process of downgrading your Apple Silicon Mac (such as MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac, Mac Mini, or Mac Pro) from macOS Tahoe to an older version like Sequoia, Sonoma, Ventura, Monterey, or Big Sur. Downgrading will erase your current operating system and install the selected version, so backing up your files is essential before beginning.

Step 1: Backup Your Files

Before starting the downgrade process, ensure that you back up all important data. You can use Time Machine or manually copy files to an external drive.

Tips for Backing Up

• Use Time Machine for a comprehensive backup.
• Verify that all critical files are copied to a safe location.
• Ensure your backup is completed successfully before proceeding.

Step 2: Prepare a Bootable Installer

You need a flash drive with at least 16GB of storage to create a bootable installer for the older macOS version.

Steps to Create a Bootable Installer

1. Download the macOS version you want to install:

   • macOS Sequoia
   • macOS Sonoma
   • macOS Ventura
   • macOS Monterey
   • macOS Big Sur

2. Format the Flash Drive:

   • Open Disk Utility.
   • Select your flash drive and click "Erase."
   • Format it as "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)" and name it "boot."

3. Create the Bootable Installer:

   • Open Terminal and enter the following command based on the macOS version you downloaded (replace macOS Sequoia with your chosen version):

   sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Sequoia.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/boot
   

   • Press Enter and follow the prompts to complete the process.

Step 3: Erase the Current macOS

Once the bootable installer is ready, you need to erase the current macOS installation.

Steps to Erase macOS

1. Restart your Mac and hold down the Power button until you see "Loading Options."
2. Select Options and click Continue.
3. Choose Disk Utility.
4. Select your main drive (usually named "Macintosh HD") and click Erase.
   • Format it as "APFS" or "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)."
5. Confirm to erase the drive.

Step 4: Install the Older macOS

With the drive erased, you can now install the older version of macOS.

Steps to Install

1. Connect the bootable installer flash drive to your Mac.
2. Restart your Mac while holding the Option (Alt) key.
3. Select the bootable installer from the startup disk options.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the macOS version you chose.

Conclusion

You have successfully downgraded your macOS from Tahoe to an earlier version. Remember to restore your files from the backup you created. This process can help improve system performance or compatibility with certain applications. If you encounter issues, consult Apple Support or community forums for additional assistance.