What is the easiest path to roll back from Sequoia to Sonoma?

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What is the easiest path to roll back from Sequoia to Sonoma?

Hi everyone,

I'm having a lot of issues with Sequoia on 15.1: frequent freezes and other problems, but the most annoying one is that I can't run certain software. Today, TeamViewer had a bug that prevented me from working. I tried to kill TeamViewer and install an earlier version, but the system wouldn't allow it, saying it "couldn't verify the installer." Even using "Open Anyway" in Security settings didn't work.

Long story short, I'd like to roll back to Sonoma, which was much more stable for me and didn't impose restrictions.

What's the easiest way to roll back? I have a large Photos library, but everything else is relatively unimportant or reinstallable.

iMac Pro, macOS 15.1

Posted on Nov 5, 2024 2:10 PM

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Answer 1

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Phil0124

Community+ 2024

Level 10

205,649 points

Nov 5, 2024 3:16 PM in response to mrmut

mrmut wrote:

Thank you very much Mr. Phill.

Do you happen to know is the Photos library fully backwards compatible?

Good question, and no, don't know. Maybe, possibly not. But it can be backed up, and accessed again if and when you decide to upgrade to Sequoia again.

I also have TC backup (upgraded from ventura->sonoma->sequoia, not sure what should I do with that one (clear or just continue to use)?

You can try to use it, if you eventually end up upgrading to Sequoia in the future it can then be used.

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Answer 2

Nov 5, 2024 2:45 PM in response to mrmut

The only real way to accomplish that, is to erase the Mac, and use a installer with Sonoma to reinstall it from scratch.

click here ➜ Create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support

then here ➜ Erase and reinstall macOS - Apple Support

You will need to backup your Photos Library to an external device.

click here ➜ Move your Photos library to save space on your Mac - Apple Support

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Answer 3

mrmut Author

Level 1

27 points

Nov 5, 2024 2:53 PM in response to Phil0124

Thank you very much Mr. Phill.

Do you happen to know is the Photos library fully backwards compatible? I also have TC backup (upgraded from ventura->sonoma->sequoia, not sure what should I do with that one (clear or just continue to use)?

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