How to Downgrade From Big Sur ( Secure Method)

Apple has rolled out the macOS big sur 11 with some advanced features. You will get to see a lot of improvements in the security and accessibility of this operating system. However, some users prefer to keep their previous OS version for their reasons.

We understand that everyone has their preferences. That is why we have decided to upload this guide that will help you downgrade from big sur to your previous OS version.

Step By Step Guide On How To Downgrade From Big Sur The guide is broken down into four easy steps that will help you downgrade OS without losing your data. Follow these steps and perform a downgrade on your device whenever you are ready:

1. Backup Your Data

The first thing to do is backup all your data. It does not matter if you have just upgraded to the new OS, and it is better to be on the safe side. It is a downgrading process that can delete all the data from the hard disk of your system, including your personal data.

Doing a backup of your data is pretty easy with your iCloud account. Additionally, you can use third-party cloud storage to get a complete backup of your system.

Follow these steps to backup to store your data in iCloud:

• Go to settings and check the iCloud settings
• Change your settings to take a back up of your files including photos, videos, documents, and contacts
• Check your iCloud to make sure all the data is uploaded

Tip: If something is missing from your iCloud, then browse the file and upload it manually. 

2. Prepare a Bootable Device For MacOS Catalina

The next step is to get a bootable device where you can keep and install the macOS Catalina for mac. However, you need to change the configuration of your mac device to allow bootable devices. 

Here is how you can do it:

• Boot up your device on recover mode ( Press Command+R while restarting your device)
• Click on Startup Security Utility under Access utilities
• Proceed with the Firmware Password of your Device
• Check the Allow booting from an external drive option

Now download and install the Catalina OS from the Mac App Store to your external drive. You can follow the app description instructions to install the drivers on your bootable drive. The command may change over time, and it is better to get it from there.

3. Remove MacOS 11 And Install MacOS Catalina

The third step includes uninstalling the MacOS 11 from your Mac device and installing your previous OS version. 

Follow these steps to do it:

• Restart your device 
• Boot up in the recovery mode ( Command+R)
• Look for the Disk Utility option and Click Continue
• Click on Startup disk and choose the Erase option
• Click on the Mac extended version and confirm your choice

Wait for the system to uninstall the Mac version from your device.

Now, follow these steps to install the macOS Catalina:

• Restart your device
• Connect the bootable device with your Mac
• Hold the down option unless you see the Apple logo
• You will see a list of options to act. Click on a bootable device
• Click on continue and agree to their conditions to install it

It will take some to install your previous MacOS.

4. Restore Your Data

You are all set to start using your Mac device with your favorite OS version. However, the last step is to restore your data to your device. You can do it by logging back into your iCloud account. It will show you all the data stored on your cloud storage.

Select the files that you want to keep on your device and click on restore.

Additionally, you can press and hold Command+R to go the recovery mode. You can select the Time machine backup from there and confirm the recovery. This method will recover everything to your device without having to do it manually. 

However, if you have used some other applications, then you can refer to their guide to restore your data. Usually, you need to login into their account and manually download all the data from their servers. Hence, you can decide which methods suit your requirements and perform the restoration.

That’s all you need for now. If you ever need to get back to your previous OS version, then repeat the above steps. However, you need to perform it as soon as you update your OS as Apple may remove the previous versions from their Apple Store.