How to downgrade? Ventura disaster!

[Broric]

I’ve got a 2019 MBP and I just made the big mistake of trying to upgrade to Ventura from Big Sur. It’s been a disaster! The Wi-Fi is completely screwed and keeps disconnecting.

I’ve got Time Machine backups but I’m having issues trying to restore from them and I wanted to check what was the “right” way. I can’t connect to the backup discs (time capsule and NAS) over Wi-Fi as they keep dropping out and recovery mode seems to insist on Wi-Fi, even with Ethernet connected. I’ve plugged in one of them drives directly and can access it. However, from trying to restore from recovery mode it says instead I need to use migration assistant.

What are the actual steps?
Will my attempts to restore to Big Sur fail if I’m on Ventura or should a downgrade work?
While it’s pretty screwed at the minute I didn’t want to do anything they left me in a worse state.

Thanks!

 

[iStorm]

Time Machine no longer restores the OS anymore, it only restores your data. You will have to download the macOS version you want and create a bootable installer, wipe your disk and install the OS yourself, then restore your data using Migration Assistant.

This is a good place to start:

How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support

You can use macOS Recovery, your computer's built-in recovery system, to reinstall the Mac operating system. Reinstalling macOS doesn't remove your personal data.

support.apple.com

 

[Svetlin]

Time Machine no longer restores the OS anymore, it only restores your data. You will have to download the macOS version you want and create a bootable installer, wipe your disk and install the OS yourself, then restore your data using Migration Assistant.

This is a good place to start:

How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support

You can use macOS Recovery, your computer's built-in recovery system, to reinstall the Mac operating system. Reinstalling macOS doesn't remove your personal data.

support.apple.com

I am not sure that you can create a bootable usbs of Mac OS versions older than what you are running.

 

[Svetlin]

I am not sure that you can create a bootable usbs of Mac OS versions older than what you are running.

If you choose that path, this may be helpful:

Good luck, and i hope you are able to downgrade!

 

[Broric]

Time Machine no longer restores the OS anymore, it only restores your data. You will have to download the macOS version you want and create a bootable installer, wipe your disk and install the OS yourself, then restore your data using Migration Assistant.

This is a good place to start:

How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support

You can use macOS Recovery, your computer's built-in recovery system, to reinstall the Mac operating system. Reinstalling macOS doesn't remove your personal data.

support.apple.com

Well that's pretty stupid! Thanks for the help

 

[iStorm]

I am not sure that you can create a bootable usbs of Mac OS versions older than what you are running.

You can. The bootable USB is created from the downloaded installer.

 

[Svetlin]

You can. The bootable USB is created from the downloaded installer.

Aright, thank you for clarifying that.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

Is the wifi the only major problem you have?

Before you go through the long process of downgrading, I'd suggest trying this:
- go to the network settings
- DELETE all existing entries for wifi... ALL of them.
- REBOOT the Mac
- go back to network settings, and use the "+" symbol to add a NEW connection for your wifi.

Might be worth a try.

 

[Broric]

OP:

Is the wifi the only major problem you have?

Before you go through the long process of downgrading, I'd suggest trying this:
- go to the network settings
- DELETE all existing entries for wifi... ALL of them.
- REBOOT the Mac
- go back to network settings, and use the "+" symbol to add a NEW connection for your wifi.

Might be worth a try.

Thanks! I’ve tried multiple Wi-Fi fixes but none have helped so far. I’ll keep trying.