macOS Monterey beta is the pre-release version of Apple’s upcoming major operating system update, and it offers a glimpse into some of the new features and changes that are in store for Mac users. However, if you’re experiencing any issues with the beta software, or if you simply want to downgrade back to macOS Big Sur, there are a few different ways to do so.
Before You Downgrade
Before you downgrade macOS Monterey beta, there are a few things you need to do. First, you need to create a backup of your Mac. This will ensure that you don’t lose any data in the event of a problem during the downgrade process. You can create a backup using Time Machine or another backup tool.
Once you have created a backup, you need to sign out of iCloud and deregister your Mac from the Apple Beta Software Program. To do this, go to the Apple menu and select "System Preferences." Then, click on "Apple ID" and select the "Overview" tab. Click on the "Deregister" button and follow the prompts to deregister your Mac.
Downgrading macOS Monterey Beta
There are two main ways to downgrade macOS Monterey beta: using the macOS Recovery partition or using a bootable USB drive.
Using the macOS Recovery Partition
The macOS Recovery partition is a hidden partition on your Mac’s hard drive that contains a bootable copy of macOS. You can use the Recovery partition to downgrade to an earlier version of macOS, or to reinstall macOS if your Mac is experiencing problems.
To downgrade macOS Monterey beta using the Recovery partition, follow these steps:
- Restart your Mac. Hold down the Command and R keys as your Mac starts up.
- Select "macOS Utilities" from the menu bar.
- Click on "Reinstall macOS."
- Follow the prompts to downgrade to an earlier version of macOS.
Using a Bootable USB Drive
If you don’t have access to the macOS Recovery partition, you can create a bootable USB drive to downgrade macOS Monterey beta. To do this, you will need a USB drive with at least 16GB of storage space.
To create a bootable USB drive, follow these steps:
- Download the macOS Big Sur installer from the Apple website.
- Format the USB drive as Mac OS Extended (Journaled).
- Copy the macOS Big Sur installer to the USB drive.
Once you have created a bootable USB drive, follow these steps to downgrade macOS Monterey beta:
- Restart your Mac. Hold down the Option key as your Mac starts up.
- Select the USB drive from the boot menu.
- Click on "Install macOS Big Sur."
- Follow the prompts to downgrade to macOS Big Sur.
Troubleshooting Downgrade Issues
If you encounter any problems while downgrading macOS Monterey beta, there are a few things you can try:
- Make sure that you have a compatible version of macOS Big Sur. You can check the compatibility requirements for macOS Big Sur on the Apple website.
- Make sure that your Mac has enough storage space. The downgrade process requires at least 16GB of free storage space.
- Try using a different USB drive. If you are using a bootable USB drive to downgrade, try using a different USB drive.
- Contact Apple Support. If you are still having problems downgrading macOS Monterey beta, you can contact Apple Support for assistance.
Table: macOS Monterey Beta Downgrade Options
| Method | Steps | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| macOS Recovery Partition | Restart Mac and hold Command + R, select "macOS Utilities" and "Reinstall macOS" | macOS Recovery Partition must be available |
| Bootable USB Drive | Download macOS Big Sur installer, format USB drive, copy installer to USB drive, restart Mac and hold Option key, select USB drive | macOS Big Sur installer, USB drive with 16GB+ storage |
Conclusion
Downgrading macOS Monterey beta is a fairly straightforward process, but it’s important to follow the steps carefully to avoid any problems. If you encounter any issues, be sure to check the troubleshooting tips above, or contact Apple Support for assistance.
FAQ about Downgrading macOS Monterey Beta
How can I downgrade from macOS Monterey beta?
Answer: To downgrade, you can either use Time Machine to restore a backup made before installing the beta or you can create a bootable USB installer with an older version of macOS.
What is the easiest way to downgrade from macOS Monterey beta?
Answer: The easiest way to downgrade is to use Time Machine to restore a backup. If you don’t have a backup, you can create a bootable USB installer.
How do I downgrade from macOS Monterey beta using Time Machine?
Answer: Connect an external drive to your Mac, select it as the backup disk in Time Machine, and restore your Mac from a backup made before installing the beta.
How do I downgrade from macOS Monterey beta using a bootable USB installer?
Answer: Download an older version of macOS from the App Store, create a bootable USB installer, and boot your Mac from the USB drive. Then, follow the on-screen instructions to install the older version of macOS.
What should I do before downgrading from macOS Monterey beta?
Answer: Before downgrading, make sure you have backed up your important data. You can use Time Machine or another backup method.
Will I lose my data if I downgrade from macOS Monterey beta?
Answer: If you downgrade using Time Machine, your data will be restored from the backup. If you downgrade using a bootable USB installer, you will lose any data that was created or modified after the backup was made.
Can I downgrade from macOS Monterey beta to an older version of macOS, such as Catalina or Mojave?
Answer: Yes, you can downgrade to an older version of macOS, but you will need a bootable USB installer for the older version.
What are the risks of downgrading from macOS Monterey beta?
Answer: Downgrading can cause problems with your Mac, such as data loss, application compatibility issues, and security vulnerabilities.
Should I wait for the official release of macOS Monterey before downgrading?
Answer: It is generally recommended to wait for the official release of macOS Monterey before downgrading, as it will be more stable and secure. However, if you are experiencing problems with the beta, you may want to downgrade.
Where can I get more help with downgrading from macOS Monterey beta?
Answer: You can get more help with downgrading from macOS Monterey beta from Apple Support or from online forums and communities.
