Are you facing issues with macOS 15 and longing to revert to the stability of macOS 13? It’s entirely understandable, given that the upgrade process might introduce unexpected glitches or compatibility problems. Downgrading macOS is a viable option to address these concerns. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the step-by-step process to seamlessly revert your macOS 15 installation to macOS 13. By following each step diligently, you can restore your Mac to its previous state, ensuring compatibility with your applications and peripherals while regaining the familiarity of macOS 13.
However, before proceeding, it’s crucial to note that downgrading macOS requires careful preparation. Ensure that you have an up-to-date Time Machine backup of your Mac. Time Machine safeguards your data, including applications, files, and system settings, allowing you to restore your Mac to a previous state if necessary. Additionally, disconnect all external devices, such as external hard drives or peripherals, to prevent any potential conflicts during the downgrade process. These preliminary steps will enhance the success rate of your downgrade and minimize the risk of data loss.
With the preparatory measures in place, we can proceed with the actual downgrading process. Commence by booting your Mac into Recovery Mode. To do this, restart your Mac and immediately press and hold the Command (⌘) + R keys until the Apple logo appears. Once in Recovery Mode, navigate to the “Utilities” menu and select “Reinstall macOS.” Follow the on-screen prompts to begin the reinstallation process. During the installation, you will be prompted to select the macOS version you wish to install. Choose “macOS 13” from the list of available options. The installation process may take some time, so be patient and allow it to complete uninterrupted. Upon completion, your Mac will restart, and you will be greeted by the familiar macOS 13 interface.
Initiating the Downgrade Process
Downgrading your macOS from version 15 to 13 involves a series of steps to ensure a smooth and successful transition. The process can be initiated in the following ways:
| Method | Instructions |
|---|---|
| Time Machine Backup |
|
| macOS Recovery |
|
| Bootable USB Drive |
|
Before initiating the downgrade process, it is crucial to ensure you have a recent backup of your Mac. The downgrade will erase all data on your Mac, so it’s essential to back up your important files and data before proceeding.
Preparing Your System with Terminal Commands
Before embarking on the downgrade process, it is imperative to prepare your system meticulously. This involves executing a series of commands in the Terminal application to ensure a seamless transition:
1. Disable System Integrity Protection (SIP)
SIP is a security feature that prevents unauthorized modifications to the operating system. To disable it, reboot your Mac in Recovery Mode (press and hold Command+R during startup) and execute the following command:
csrutil disable
2. Mount the Recovery Volume
The recovery volume is a separate partition on your Mac that contains macOS recovery tools. To mount it, enter the following command:
diskutil mount /Volumes/Recovery
3. Create a Time Machine Backup
To safeguard your data in the event of any unforeseen circumstances, it is strongly recommended to create a Time Machine backup before proceeding with the downgrade. Here’s how:
| macOS Catalina (15) | macOS Monterey (13) |
|---|---|
| Go to the Apple menu and select “System Preferences.” | Go to the Apple menu and select “System Settings.” |
| Click on “Time Machine” and follow the instructions. | Click on “Backup” and follow the instructions. |
Once the backup is complete, proceed with the downgrade by following the next steps.
Downloading the macOS Installer
To initiate the macOS downgrade process from Catalina (macOS 15) to High Sierra (macOS 13), you’ll need to acquire the macOS High Sierra installer. Follow these steps to obtain the installer:
1. Launch the App Store on your Mac
Click on the “App Store” icon in your Dock or go to “Applications > App Store” in Finder.
2. Search for macOS High Sierra
In the search bar, type “macOS High Sierra” and press “Enter.”
3. Locate the macOS High Sierra Page
Click on the result that says “macOS High Sierra” in the search results.
4. Download the High Sierra Installer
Click on the “Get” button next to the “High Sierra” icon. If prompted, sign in with your Apple ID. The download will commence automatically. The file is approximately 5GB in size, so it may take some time to complete, depending on your internet connection speed.
While you wait for the download to finish, you can prepare your Mac for the downgrade process. Make sure to back up all your important data before proceeding to avoid any potential data loss.
Once the download is complete, the macOS High Sierra installer will be saved to your Applications folder. You’re now ready to proceed to the next step of the downgrade process.
Creating a Bootable USB Drive
To create a bootable USB drive for downgrading macOS 15 to 13, follow the steps below:
1. Prepare a USB Drive
Choose a USB drive with at least 16GB of storage. Format it as Mac OS Extended (Journaled) in Disk Utility.
2. Download macOS 13 Installer
Go to the Apple App Store and search for “macOS Monterey.” Download the installer and save it to your Applications folder.
3. Open Terminal
Launch Terminal from Applications > Utilities. Type the following command and press Enter:
sudo /Applications/Install macOS Monterey.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/USB_DRIVE_NAME --nointeraction
Replace “USB_DRIVE_NAME” with the name of your USB drive.
4. Enter Administrator Password
Enter your administrator password when prompted. The Terminal will begin creating the bootable USB drive.
5. Detailed Steps for Creating a Bootable USB Drive
a. Disk Utility Considerations
| Option | Value |
|---|---|
| Partition Table Scheme | GUID Partition Map |
| Format | Mac OS Extended (Journaled) |
b. Terminal Commands in Detail
If the default USB drive volume name is not recognized by Terminal, run this command to list all available volumes:
diskutil list
Then, replace “USB_DRIVE_NAME” with the actual volume name in the createinstallmedia command. For example:
sudo /Applications/Install macOS Monterey.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyUSB --nointeraction
c. Status Monitoring
To check the progress of the process, run the following command:
tail -f /var/log/install.log
Reinstalling Essential Applications and Data
Once you have successfully downgraded to macOS 13, you need to reinstall the essential applications and data you require. This includes software, documents, photos, videos, and more. Here are some steps to guide you through this process:
1. Back up Your Data
Before proceeding with the reinstallation, it’s crucial to back up your data to an external hard drive or cloud storage to protect it from potential data loss during the process.
2. Reinstall Applications
Locate the applications you want to reinstall and download them from the official websites or App Store.
3. Recover Documents and Photos
If you have backed up your data, you can restore your documents and photos from the backup to your Mac’s hard drive.
4. Restore Your iCloud Data
Log into your Apple ID settings and select “iCloud” to restore your backed-up iCloud data, including contacts, calendars, and notes.
5. Recover Your Time Machine Backup
If you created a Time Machine backup before downgrading, you can use it to restore your system and all your files to their previous state.
6. Manually Copy Files from Backup
If you don’t have a backup, you can manually copy files from the external drive or storage device to your Mac’s hard drive.
7. Check for Compatibility
Ensure that the applications you reinstall are compatible with macOS 13. Some applications may not be compatible, so check the developer’s website for information.
8. Optimize Performance
After reinstalling your applications and data, optimize your Mac’s performance by cleaning up any unnecessary files or programs, restarting the system, and running necessary updates.
| Free Memory | Close unnecessary applications, empty the Trash |
| Declutter Desktop | Minimize active windows, move files to folders |
| Disk Cleanup | Use Disk Utility or third-party apps to remove junk files |
| Disable Background Processes | Check System Preferences > Users & Groups > Login Items |
| Restart Regularly | Shut down or restart the Mac to clear the RAM |
Downgrading macOS 15 to 13: A Step-by-Step Guide
For various reasons, you may need to downgrade your macOS from version 15 to version 13. Whether it’s for compatibility issues, performance concerns, or personal preferences, downgrading can be a relatively straightforward process if done correctly.
Before proceeding, it’s crucial to create a complete backup of your system to ensure you don’t lose any essential data during the downgrade. Once the backup is secure, follow these steps:
- Boot into Recovery Mode: Turn off your Mac, then turn it on while holding down the Command (⌘) and R keys.
- Open Terminal: From the macOS Utilities menu, select Utilities > Terminal.
- Run the Downgrade Script: Type the following command into the Terminal window and press Enter:
“`
/Applications/Install macOS High Sierra.app/Contents/Resources/startosinstall –volume /Volumes/Macintosh HD –applicationpath /Applications/Install macOS High Sierra.app
“`The script will begin the downgrade process.
- Wait for Completion: The downgrade can take several hours, depending on your system’s speed and internet connection. Once complete, your Mac will automatically restart into macOS 13.
People Also Ask About How to Downgrade macOS 15 to 13
What are the risks of downgrading macOS?
Downgrading macOS can remove newer features and security updates. It can also potentially cause compatibility issues with applications designed for the newer version.
Can I downgrade to any version of macOS?
You can only downgrade to a version of macOS that your Mac’s hardware supports. Check your Mac’s compatibility with different versions of macOS on Apple’s website.
What if I can’t create a backup before downgrading?
If you cannot create a backup, proceed with caution. Downgrading without a backup can result in data loss if something goes wrong.
