The update cycle of Apple's operating systems always brings innovations and improvements, but not all new versions satisfy all users and even more so if we are talking about beta software. So, if you have updated to the macOS Sequoia beta and want to return to macOS Sonoma, this article will guide you through the process in a clear and detailed way.
In this post we will see the reasons that may make us want to return to Sonoma, the steps we must follow and then we will do a small “troubleshooting” where we will tell you the errors that you may encounter in the process.
Reasons to return to macOS Sonoma coming from the Sequoia beta
Before we dive into the technical details, it's important to understand why you might want to downgrade, as the reasons can vary. from incompatibilities with specific software that is not yet polished for use in Sequuoia, to personal preferences for the stability and familiarity of previous versions.
The stability of the system can also be put at stake, since Being a beta, many times we do not really know what we are looking for when we are installing a new version and although it is rare, sometimes the performance is far from optimal given that we are dealing with purely testing software.
Previous considerations before returning to macOS Sonoma
Before starting the process, it is crucial perform a full backup of your data because in the process all of it is lost no matter what. To do this, you can use Time Machine, in the same way as we have told you in this other article, making sure all your important files are safe.
And of course, although we assume that you will have this under control, make sure the apps you use daily are compatible with macOS Sonoma, and that you will not miss any of the features of the new version.
Although it may seem trivial and mostly bullshit, some apps may have fallen out of support for previous versions, so it's important to check this ahead of time lest you want to revert to something that will no longer be compatible with your device.
Downgrade process to macOS Sonoma
The process of reverting to a previous version of the operating system can give some funk, especially when the commands start in Terminal, but by following these steps, we are sure that you will be able to do it without any major problems.
Creating a macOS Sonoma USB installer
You will need a pendrive to return to macOS Sonoma
To do this, let's make a list of what we need:
- Un USB of at least 16 GB
- A macOS Sonoma DMG image, which you can download from the App Store
- Un Mac working correctamente (or a virtual machine on Windows or Linux)
- Lots of time and desire, with a certain amount of motivation
Preparing the USB
You will need a USB flash drive with at least 16 GB of space, which you must connect to your Mac and use Disk Utility to format it in macOS Plus format with a journal (Mac OS Extended (Journaled), in a similar way to what we have seen in this other post.
Create the installer
Open Terminal and run the following command to create the installer:
- Bash (yes, just this, just)
- sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Sonoma.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia –volume /Volumes/MyUSB
Here you will have to replace MyUSB with the name of your USB drive. But outside of this, prepare the popcorn, because you will have a few minutes to wait until the installation disk is created.
Installing macOS Sonoma
Now that we have the disk, returning to macOS Sonoma is easy. The first thing you should do is connect the pendrive to the USB and start the computer in Recovery Mode.
To do this, turn off your Mac and turn it on again by holding down the Option (Alt) key. Once the menu appears, select the USB installer from the boot menu.
Format the disk
Once in the macOS installer, you will have to destroy the partition where Sequoia is. To do this, select the Disk Utility to format the main disk of your Mac and follow the process to leave it in Mac OS Extended the same as with the pendrive.
Install macOS Sonoma
With the disk formatted, proceed to install macOS Sonoma from the USB, following the on-screen instructions and wait for the process to finish, which may take a while depending on your Mac.
Restoring data and applications
Once the installation is complete, it's time to restore your data and applications. AND This is where the copy you made with Time Machine comes in., which will allow you to return your personal files and settings to their previous state from the macOS Sonoma settings menu itself.
Although be careful, it is always advisable to reinstall critical applications manually to ensure that they work correctly with macOS Sonoma, because sometimes they become corrupted in the copying process.
SOS!: Something has gone wrong in the process of returning to macOS Sonoma
It is not very common, but you may encounter some problems in the downgrade process, which fortunately are usually solvable. without having to go to Genius Bar:
- Errors during installation: If you encounter errors when trying to install macOS Sonoma, verify that the USB installer was created correctly and that there are no problems with the drive. It won't be the first time that a defective pendrive causes me to waste hours of my time restoring a computer.
- It doesn't go into Recovery Mode: It is important that you verify that content has been copied to the USB when you finish the Terminal step, since sometimes it is not copied entirely or we ignore errors that may exist that cause our folder to be corrupt. Remember to check this and turn on the device by pressing ALT.
- Incomplete data restoration: If you're having trouble restoring your data from Time Machine, try doing it in parts, first restoring personal files and then manually configuring apps and preferences.
- Apps restored by TimeMachine do not open properly: It is likely that the apps are causing some problems, since many times they are left incomplete when copied. If this is your case, as we have said before: install them separately and they will surely work correctly after that.