Ordering Refurbished MBA M4 question

[OldMacs4Me]

So I would like to order a refurbished MacBook Air M4
, but have one improtant question. Assuming it ships with Tahoe can I revert it to Sequoia? Or will there be a firmware update in place that prevents that?

It's for my wife who is not in great health and can be guaranteed to dislike the 'improvements' found in Tahoe.

Found no 800 number or other quick contact on the Apple website, though they may have put that in my blind spot.

 

[SpaceJello]

I don’t think so…. If I recall, you can always wipe the drive clean and do a clean install of the OS regardless of version.

 

[Bigwaff]

I don’t think so…. If I recall, you can always wipe the drive clean and do a clean install of the OS regardless of version.

Well, not regardless of version of macOS. Typically, at minimum, you can install the version of macOS that the model originally shipped when released.

 

[Alpha Centauri]

As Bigwaff mentioned, you can only go back to the OS the unit was shipped with.

For curiosity’s sake, here is a write up of all that’s involved. Sites also mention that one can introduce issues/ conflicts, if new firmware was involved and then resides with an older macOS version.

There is always the upcoming macOS 27 that (on paper) looks promising.

Updated macOS and regret it? Here’s how to go back

Learn how to downgrade macOS and revert to a previous version with step-by-step instructions, including backups, clean installs, and recovery options.

www.macworld.com

 

[flowrider]

The M4 MBA originally shipped with OS 15.3 Sequoia. So, the answer is YES❗️



Lou

 

[OldMacs4Me]

For curiosity’s sake, here is a write up of all that’s involved. Sites also mention that one can introduce issues/ conflicts, if new firmware was involved and then resides with an older macOS version.

My worry when I posted this.

 

[Alpha Centauri]

My worry when I posted this.

So what Flowrider posted: macOS 15.3 onwards is possible. macOS 27
Is just around the corner so it should only be a temporary and short annoyance for your wife.

 

[OldMacs4Me]

So perhaps because the settings were carried over from the Sequoia migration my wife is fine with Tahoe. Other than the rounded corners and weaker scroll bars not much difference. I am finding some of the settings not to my liking, particularly not being able to completely disable mics and camera. Camera easily solved with a bit of electrical tape, but trusting that the input volume stays at zero for the mics feels a bit iffy, especially given Apple's tendency to reset some settings during updates. Also unable to scroll to all the desktop, (now known as wallpaper) choices. For the moment sticking with Tahoe but not doing any updates.

BTW migration took about 15 minutes from a bootable Sequoia clone of the M4 mini.

 

[LeVan]

So perhaps because the settings were carried over from the Sequoia migration my wife is fine with Tahoe. Other than the rounded corners and weaker scroll bars not much difference. I am finding some of the settings not to my liking, particularly not being able to completely disable mics and camera. Camera easily solved with a bit of electrical tape, but trusting that the input volume stays at zero for the mics feels a bit iffy, especially given Apple's tendency to reset some settings during updates. Also unable to scroll to all the desktop, (now known as wallpaper) choices. For the moment sticking with Tahoe but not doing any updates.

BTW migration took about 15 minutes from a bootable Sequoia clone of the M4 mini.

Possible to do this, but after getting the machine all set up, it may be too much for the Boss.
<Make a bootable Sequoia install disk, download the Sequoia system fro the Mr. Macintosh site (safe, Apple only links)
<https://mrmacintosh.com/macos-sequoia-full-installer-database-download-directly-from-apple/>
use Terminal to make the USB disk, With the OS installer in the Applications Folder; Code:
sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Sequoia.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/Untitled
Boot up from the USB (hold the power button long press), Use the Recovery Menu, Erase disk (MUST Have a Carbon Copy Coner backup or similar first!) and then instal Sequoia, using thee Migration Assistant at the end of the install process. Whew! Back to sanity. Tahoe messes up the NVRAM on certain machines (mostly M2 laptops) and even Apple can have issues reviving one that has been affected (personal experience-based opinion!) .
This procedure saved my bacon.

 

[SketchyClown]

My MBA 15" M4 had Sequoia on it on arrival, and I can go back if I wish.

 

[KaliYoni]

not being able to completely disable mics and camera

I’ve used this utility for many years, from the developer of Little Snitch, to help me track when my Mac’s mics and camera are activated:

Micro Snitch - Know when someone spies on you

Micro Snitch is an ultra-light menu bar application that operates inconspicuously. It helps figuring out if someone’s spying on you.

obdev.at

 

[OldMacs4Me]

Possible to do this, but after getting the machine all set up, it may be too much for the Boss.
<Make a bootable Sequoia install disk, download the Sequoia system fro the Mr. Macintosh site (safe, Apple only links)
<https://mrmacintosh.com/macos-sequoia-full-installer-database-download-directly-from-apple/>
use Terminal to make the USB disk, With the OS installer in the Applications Folder; Code:
sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Sequoia.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/Untitled
Boot up from the USB (hold the power button long press), Use the Recovery Menu, Erase disk (MUST Have a Carbon Copy Coner backup or similar first!) and then instal Sequoia, using thee Migration Assistant at the end of the install process. Whew! Back to sanity. Tahoe messes up the NVRAM on certain machines (mostly M2 laptops) and even Apple can have issues reviving one that has been affected (personal experience-based opinion!) .
This procedure saved my bacon.

Thanks, the boss was quite happy with it once I disabled transparency. It will go back to Sequoia when the timing is better. I am guessing my original Sequoia M4 mini clone will be fine as no major changes on the MBA after the original migration.