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Need help

I have a mid 2012 MacBook Pro. Don’t keep much on it because I use it for studies and I actually haven’t used it a lot, anyways I noticed I that I never updated my Os. It was being updated to El Capitan and not my computer restarts to upload the new os, I need help to get my old OS back, but when I try to reboot, it asked me to reinstall a new copy of OS X. I don’t think that is gonna give me my old version back, I really don’t know much about how to do this so any help would be grateful

MacBook Pro

Posted on Jul 7, 2022 8:27 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jul 8, 2022 3:40 AM

1 - A Time Machine Backup  is very useful and can be used to Revert to Previous Working macOS


2 - This method will WIPE ALL Data and there is No Recovery - Period.


To perform this action will require booting from a Bootable Installer


The Bootable Installer can Only be performed on an Apple Computer 


This will have to be performed from a Qualifying Computer to run the version of macOS to be made on the Bootable Installer. Example : Bootable Installer of Big Sur would have to be done on a computer that Qualifies to run Big Sur.


Notation: If the computer being used to perform this action is Too New or Too Old to qualify to run the version of macOS - this computer can not be used.


Alternative is, to gain access to a Qualifying Apple Computer from a family member, friend or associate.


Once that is done read on for preparing the Destination computer  >> Only works on Intel Based Apple Computers.


1 - Shutdown computer and disconnect all external drive Except the newly created Bootable Installer.


2- Restart and immediately hold the OPTION key until the Startup Manager appears and choose the USB Drive. 


3 - It will present options >> Disk Utilities >> View >> View ALL attached Drives. 


4 - Choose the Upper Most Drive ( not the volumes indented and list below ).


5 - The drive normally is called Apple Media or Apple SSD - that is the drive to Erase and format as APFS with the GUID Partition Map. This applies to macOS 10.14 Mojave and above. 


5A - Formatting for macOS 10.13 High Sierra and below requires HFS Journaled with the GUID Partition Map


6 - Once that is done >> backup out of Disk Utilities and choose install macOS. 


7 - Follow the prompts and it may automatically reboot several time. 


8 - Upon a final reboot - Setup Assist will present with the newer version of macOS.

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jul 8, 2022 3:40 AM in response to Cm-ld

1 - A Time Machine Backup  is very useful and can be used to Revert to Previous Working macOS


2 - This method will WIPE ALL Data and there is No Recovery - Period.


To perform this action will require booting from a Bootable Installer


The Bootable Installer can Only be performed on an Apple Computer 


This will have to be performed from a Qualifying Computer to run the version of macOS to be made on the Bootable Installer. Example : Bootable Installer of Big Sur would have to be done on a computer that Qualifies to run Big Sur.


Notation: If the computer being used to perform this action is Too New or Too Old to qualify to run the version of macOS - this computer can not be used.


Alternative is, to gain access to a Qualifying Apple Computer from a family member, friend or associate.


Once that is done read on for preparing the Destination computer  >> Only works on Intel Based Apple Computers.


1 - Shutdown computer and disconnect all external drive Except the newly created Bootable Installer.


2- Restart and immediately hold the OPTION key until the Startup Manager appears and choose the USB Drive. 


3 - It will present options >> Disk Utilities >> View >> View ALL attached Drives. 


4 - Choose the Upper Most Drive ( not the volumes indented and list below ).


5 - The drive normally is called Apple Media or Apple SSD - that is the drive to Erase and format as APFS with the GUID Partition Map. This applies to macOS 10.14 Mojave and above. 


5A - Formatting for macOS 10.13 High Sierra and below requires HFS Journaled with the GUID Partition Map


6 - Once that is done >> backup out of Disk Utilities and choose install macOS. 


7 - Follow the prompts and it may automatically reboot several time. 


8 - Upon a final reboot - Setup Assist will present with the newer version of macOS.

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