How to downgrade from Mojave to HS step by step?

[camelia]

Hello,

Something I am doing wrong, I need to find out, let's start for the begging... 🥺

Any Tutorial about How to downgrade from macOS Mojave to macOS High Sierra step by step?

Thanks
Camelia

 

[||\||]

Hello,

Something I am doing wrong, I need to find out, let's start for the begging... 🥺

Any Tutorial about How to downgrade from macOS Mojave to macOS High Sierra step by step?

Thanks
Camelia

You basically have to wipe the drive and start over with a migration or reinstllation of all software. I always clone the previous installation so that I can be back where I was within minutes if the new version of Mac OS doesn't work out

 

[camelia]

You basically have to wipe the drive and start over with a migration or reinstllation of all software. I always clone the previous installation so that I can be back where I was within minutes if the new version of Mac OS doesn't work out

Ok, I know how to do all this..

I have an USB installer for macos Mojave and
an USB installer for macos High Sierra

If I wipe my entire HDD drive....
The problem I am having is my USB installer for macos Mojave is not converting automatically to APFS my spinning disk If I install first macos High Sierra or clean Install of macos Mojave

Since the installer is not converting my spinning drive automatically to APFS my installation freeze and I have to force shutdown my MBP 😰

I have been facing this problems for weeks, and still not a solution for me

Any idea what am I doing wrong?

MBP 13" Mid 2012 Intel Core i5 2.5 GHZ 16 GB Intel HD Graphics 4000 1536 MB

Thanks
Camelia

 

[Jack Neill]

Ok, I know how to do all this..

I have an USB installer for macos Mojave and
an USB installer for macos High Sierra

If I wipe my entire HDD drive....
The problem I am having is my USB installer for macos Mojave is not converting automatically to APFS my spinning disk If I install first macos High Sierra or clean Install of macos Mojave

Since the installer is not converting my spinning drive automatically to APFS my installation freeze and I have to force shutdown my MBP 😰

I have been facing this problems for weeks, and still not a solution for me

Any idea what am I doing wrong?

MBP 13" Mid 2012 Intel Core i5 2.5 GHZ 16 GB Intel HD Graphics 4000 1536 MB

Thanks
Camelia

I would put a SSD in that machine. Would fix your problem and also speed the machine up by 1000%.

 

[MacUser2525]

Ok, I know how to do all this..

I have an USB installer for macos Mojave and
an USB installer for macos High Sierra

If I wipe my entire HDD drive....
The problem I am having is my USB installer for macos Mojave is not converting automatically to APFS my spinning disk If I install first macos High Sierra or clean Install of macos Mojave

Since the installer is not converting my spinning drive automatically to APFS my installation freeze and I have to force shutdown my MBP 😰

I have been facing this problems for weeks, and still not a solution for me

Any idea what am I doing wrong?

MBP 13" Mid 2012 Intel Core i5 2.5 GHZ 16 GB Intel HD Graphics 4000 1536 MB

Thanks
Camelia

Go to the recovery option (Command + R keys at boot) run Disk Utility from there partition then format the internal drive to APFS. This should allow you to do an install of either operating system as they both support that file system.

 

[||\||]

Go to the recovery option (Command + R keys at boot) run Disk Utility from there partition then format the internal drive to APFS. This should allow you to do an install of either operating system as they both support that file system.

I don’t think a 2012 machine will be able to convert to APFS via recovery.
[automerge]1576286346[/automerge]

Ok, I know how to do all this..

I have an USB installer for macos Mojave and
an USB installer for macos High Sierra

If I wipe my entire HDD drive....
The problem I am having is my USB installer for macos Mojave is not converting automatically to APFS my spinning disk If I install first macos High Sierra or clean Install of macos Mojave

Since the installer is not converting my spinning drive automatically to APFS my installation freeze and I have to force shutdown my MBP 😰

I have been facing this problems for weeks, and still not a solution for me

Any idea what am I doing wrong?

MBP 13" Mid 2012 Intel Core i5 2.5 GHZ 16 GB Intel HD Graphics 4000 1536 MB

Thanks
Camelia

At one point HDDs were not supported under APFS. I think it has since been rectified. Have you tried to install without specifically converting (keeping HFS)?

 

[camelia]

I read the following:

To make the bootable usb installer for the first beta of Catalina, once downloaded to the Applications folder format a 16GB USB as HFS+ Journaled, call it Untitled and run this command in Terminal:


sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ 10.15\ Beta.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/Untitled

My question are:


A) Why do I have to format my USB as HFS+ Journaled and call it Untitled?


B) Formatting an USB as HFS+ Journaled and call it Untitled is only for the first Catalina beta or it is a must this format for the final and current Catalina Version and Mojave latest installer?


i am asking this because before Catalina and Mojave you only had to inset a not formatting USB stick and the terminal command will format it for you..


How to create a bootable macOS Mojave USB Install drive [9to5Mac]

Minutes 3:11 - 4:05


They don't say you have to format first an USB stick first as HFS+ Journaled


Also here, they do not say anything about format first an USB stick as HFS+ Journaled for Catalina


How to create a bootable macOS Catalina USB Install drive

Minutes: 3:17 - 3:50

 

[MacUser2525]

I don’t think a 2012 machine will be able to convert to APFS via recovery.
[automerge]1576286346[/automerge]


At one point HDDs were not supported under APFS. I think it has since been rectified. Have you tried to install without specifically converting (keeping HFS)?

The HFS suggestion will not work long term, they are supposed to be APFS, HS will run on HFS and update the system, the mojave will run but will not allow system updates running on HFS and will not install to HFS. What the OP needs to do it get a drive with either OS wanting to be run on it with a recovery partition. Then you can use that to format the drive, I had thought it was already running the HS on the machine if this is the case then the recovery partition contained on the system as it sits should have be updated to at least that version so could be used to format.

 

[LuisN]

I am very sorry.. 😥



Please, forgive me but I wanted to start for the very beginning....
*Not begging, sorry again

I do really understand you.. but give me a last chance, please!

I read the following:




My question are:


A) Why do I have to format my USB as HFS+ Journaled and call it Untitled?


B) Formatting an USB as HFS+ Journaled and call it Untitled is only for the first Catalina beta or it is a must this format for the final and current Catalina Version and Mojave latest installer?


i am asking this because before Catalina and Mojave you only had to inset a not formatting USB stick and the terminal command will format it for you..


How to create a bootable macOS Mojave USB Install drive [9to5Mac]

Minutes 3:11 - 4:05


They don't say you have to format first an USB stick first as HFS+ Journaled


Also here, they do not say anything about format first an USB stick as HFS+ Journaled for Catalina


How to create a bootable macOS Catalina USB Install drive

Minutes: 3:17 - 3:50

You must format usb in HFS+ journaled because is mandatory. The untitled "thing" is because in the shell command you are creating the installer in .../Volumes/Untitled. You can create the usb drive with the name you want but must reflect that name in the command to create the installer .../Volumes/"whatever_name". The process of creating the bootable usb drive will change the name of the usb drive anyway. Boot from the installer, open Disk Utility and format your HDD APFS and install over it

 

[camelia]

You must format usb in HFS+ journaled because is mandatory. The untitled "thing" is because in the shell command you are creating the installer in .../Volumes/Untitled. You can create the usb drive with the name you want but must reflect that name in the command to create the installer .../Volumes/"whatever_name". The process of creating the bootable usb drive will change the name of the usb drive anyway. Boot from the installer, open Disk Utility and format your HDD APFS and install over it

This is going to be a clean install

Just to confirm, once I open up the USB from their blister, the fist thing I have to do is format it as
HFS+ journaled if I want to create my bootable installer, then type the command in terminal for the new macOS High Sierra, Current Mojave and Catalina version and once it finish, boot from it and convert my HDD as APFS? 😱

Thanks
Camelia

 

[LuisN]

This is going to be a clean install

Just to confirm, once I open up the USB from their blister, the fist thing I have to do is format it as
HFS+ journaled if I want to create my bootable installer, then type the command in terminal for the new macOS High Sierra, Current Mojave and Catalina version and once it finish, boot from it and convert my HDD as APFS? 😱

Thanks
Camelia

That’s right

 

[camelia]

Gracias, @LuisN

But how do I convert an sppining HDD as APFS??? 😱

Thanks
Camelia

 

[LuisN]

Gracias, @LuisN

But how do I convert an sppining HDD as APFS??? 😱

Thanks
Camelia

You just format it in APFS if it is a clean install or, after booting from the usb installer, using Disk Utility - Edit - Convert to APFS...

 

[Fishrrman]

This is not going to be "an easy job", unless you already have a cloned backup of your previous High Sierra install (then it would be VERY easy).

What you're going to need to do:

First, you need to create a CLONED BACKUP of your existing Mojave install on an external drive.
A time machine backup WILL NOT DO -- you need a backup that mounts right up in the finder (as CCC and SuperDuper backups do).

CCC is FREE to download and use for 30 days, so creating this cloned backup doesn't cost anything.

Next...
You're going to create a bootable USB flashdrive installer.
You'll need a USB3 flashdrive 16gb in size.
You'll need the appropriate version of DiskMaker X, which you can get here:

Downloads

diskmakerx.com

You'll need the High Sierra installer, which you can download here:

‎@@softwareName@@ on the App Store

Next...
You'll need to use DiskMaker X to create the flashdrive installer.
It should take only a few clicks of the mouse.
The installer should be in your applications folder.

Next...
You need to boot from the flashdrive installer by rebooting and holding down the option key CONTINUOUSLY until the startup manager appears.
Then select the flashdrive installer and hit return.

Next...
You'll see the OS installer first, but DO NOT RUN IT yet.
Quit it and open Disk Utility.
In disk utility, go to the view menu and choose "show ALL devices".
Now, in the disk utility window, go to the left and select the TOP item that represents the physical drive in your Mac.
Click "erase" and choose Mac OS extended with journaling enabled, GUID partition format.
DU should erase the drive.

When done, quit DU and re-open the OS installer.
Select the internal drive and let the install begin.
The Mac will reboot one or more times, and the install will take a while.
The screen may "go black" one or more times.
Be patient.

When done, you should see the setup screen.

At this point, the setup assistant may offer you the chance to migrate from a backup. You could -try- migrating from the cloned backup, but I don't think this is going to work.
In that case, you'll have to create a NEW account, and then "migrate manually".

BE FOREWARNED:
A "manual migration" will be a slow, painstaking job. You'll have to be careful about what you migrate, and keep notes to "know where you are".
But it can be done.
This is why you need the CLONED BACKUP.
It can be mounted "right in the finder" and you can then locate and copy whatever you need.

 

[Jack Neill]

Just out of curiosity what's the hangup with having APFS? I don't really see any benefit on a platter drive.

 

[MacUser2525]

Just out of curiosity what's the hangup with having APFS? I don't really see any benefit on a platter drive.

Without it you cannot get updates, not like there will be many more to come.

 

[Jack Neill]

Without it you cannot get updates, not like there will be many more to come.

I keep a CCC install and clone back whenever there's an update, its an added step but these days updates are pretty rare.

 

[MacUser2525]

I keep a CCC install and clone back whenever there's an update, its an added step but these days updates are pretty rare.

That does you no good when the update will not even apply or start running if you have HFS for a file system. A clone where nothing happened is not worth restoring, you have the same on your machine with no updates anyways..

 

[Jack Neill]

That does you no good when the update will not even apply or start running if you have HFS for a file system. A clone where nothing happened is not worth restoring, you have the same on your machine with no updates anyways..

It works fine. Thats the point of using a external drive so the update will run. Keep your external as APFS.

 

[jbarley]

Sounds a lot like the "Fishrrman" mule drive setup.

Is it possible to install Mojave and keep HFS+ ?

oatman wrote: "You can't keep HFS; and if you somehow manage to do (using CarbonCopy Cloner or by mounting the drive and copying stuff over) you will never be offered Software Updates or an avenue to upgrade your Mac." No. You CAN "keep HFS" if you wish. I have an external SSD (connected via...

forums.macrumors.com

Post #6
Works like a charm.

 

[Jack Neill]

Sounds a lot like the "Fishrrman" mule drive setup.

Is it possible to install Mojave and keep HFS+ ?

oatman wrote: "You can't keep HFS; and if you somehow manage to do (using CarbonCopy Cloner or by mounting the drive and copying stuff over) you will never be offered Software Updates or an avenue to upgrade your Mac." No. You CAN "keep HFS" if you wish. I have an external SSD (connected via...

forums.macrumors.com

Post #6
Works like a charm.

I have a MB 7,1 with a SoftRaid striped that needs this method for updating as I’m using HFS on it.

 

[omnimage]

This is not going to be "an easy job", unless you already have a cloned backup of your previous High Sierra install (then it would be VERY easy).

What you're going to need to do:

First, you need to create a CLONED BACKUP of your existing Mojave install on an external drive.
A time machine backup WILL NOT DO -- you need a backup that mounts right up in the finder (as CCC and SuperDuper backups do).

CCC is FREE to download and use for 30 days, so creating this cloned backup doesn't cost anything.

Next...
You're going to create a bootable USB flashdrive installer.
You'll need a USB3 flashdrive 16gb in size.
You'll need the appropriate version of DiskMaker X, which you can get here:

Downloads

diskmakerx.com

You'll need the High Sierra installer, which you can download here:

‎@@softwareName@@ on the App Store

Next...
You'll need to use DiskMaker X to create the flashdrive installer.
It should take only a few clicks of the mouse.
The installer should be in your applications folder.

Next...
You need to boot from the flashdrive installer by rebooting and holding down the option key CONTINUOUSLY until the startup manager appears.
Then select the flashdrive installer and hit return.

Next...
You'll see the OS installer first, but DO NOT RUN IT yet.
Quit it and open Disk Utility.
In disk utility, go to the view menu and choose "show ALL devices".
Now, in the disk utility window, go to the left and select the TOP item that represents the physical drive in your Mac.
Click "erase" and choose Mac OS extended with journaling enabled, GUID partition format.
DU should erase the drive.

When done, quit DU and re-open the OS installer.
Select the internal drive and let the install begin.
The Mac will reboot one or more times, and the install will take a while.
The screen may "go black" one or more times.
Be patient.

When done, you should see the setup screen.

At this point, the setup assistant may offer you the chance to migrate from a backup. You could -try- migrating from the cloned backup, but I don't think this is going to work.
In that case, you'll have to create a NEW account, and then "migrate manually".

BE FOREWARNED:
A "manual migration" will be a slow, painstaking job. You'll have to be careful about what you migrate, and keep notes to "know where you are".
But it can be done.
This is why you need the CLONED BACKUP.
It can be mounted "right in the finder" and you can then locate and copy whatever you need.

I followed your tutorial to the letter and when I try to reboot from external drive (High Sierra installation) I have gray circle (with /) on the screen ?! This happen onto my MacBook Pro 2009 (5.3) with Mojave installed from Dosdude Patcher.
I specify that this external drive boot correctly onto my iMac 27" (2014).
I've tried many things like to create external boot drive with HS using Terminal commands or even MacOS High Sierra patcher (Dosdude) with the same results (gray circle at reboot)…

I feel like my issues have arisen since I applied the latest BootROM version (firmware update), no ?
if you have an idea for a solution, I am interested !