Worth it to downgrade to Sierra?

[tmoney468]

This is the first MacOS release that really makes me regret upgrading. What are you're thoughts on downgrading to Sierra?

I still have performance issues and slow overall system issues, all of which I never had on Sierra. I thought I would give Apple some time to work out their issues, but being on the .1 release I thought it would be resolved by now. It really makes me dread my laptop now whenever I have to do some serious work.

Anyone else in my position? Late 2013 MBP here.

 

[mikebanks385]

I have a late 2016 MBP and I also have lots of performance issue with High Sierra. Every time I shutdown the computer I get a green screen and sometimes it won't even shut down properly. Also most programs seem to run sloppy compared to before. As soon as I downgrade to Sierra, everything works flawlessly. I'm pretty much an expert with PCs and can't figure out what's wrong with high sierra. So, yes you should downgrade if you want to get the same performance as before or wait for a patch.

 

[logicstudiouser]

Should be fine. I haven't done a downgrade of an OS since Yosemite to Mavericks.

If you are having performance issues, there should be no problem to downgrade. You simply need to make a bootable USB and have a backup of your content.

The only time I upgrade now is when I need to for applications I use. Apple has gotten into the habit of offering security updates up to 3 years after initial release. In late October, they released a security update for High Sierra, Sierra and El Capitan. Next fall, they will drop El Capitan and they will support Sierra for one more year.

 

[sd70mac]

This is the first MacOS release that really makes me regret upgrading. What are you're thoughts on downgrading to Sierra?

I still have performance issues and slow overall system issues, all of which I never had on Sierra. I thought I would give Apple some time to work out their issues, but being on the .1 release I thought it would be resolved by now. It really makes me dread my laptop now whenever I have to do some serious work.

Anyone else in my position? Late 2013 MBP here.

I would suggest reinstalling from Recovery Mode first, because that seems to have fixed some performance issues I'd been having on my 2012 13" MacBook Air.

 

[Bart Kela]

While I haven't tried to downgrade from High Sierra to Sierra, I've seen various posts here indicating that there might be compatibility issues with some app library files such as Photos, possibly iTunes, maybe some other applications as well.

Just something to be aware of if you try going back. Hopefully you made backups.

 

[Agentsmurf156]

Using a Mac Pro 2010, find High Sierra feels slow, went back to Sierra and everything is back to its snappy self. I had 2 apps that didn't work with High Sierra, much better now that I have gone back, first time I've rolled back in OSX.

 

[loby]

Went back to Sierra from High Sierra, but did a complete re-install to clean out everything. Noticed performance and issues resolved. Did it on my Mac Pro 2013, MacBook Air 2013, Mac mini 2012 and MacBook Pro 2010.

I will probably wait for a few more versions of High Sierra so apple can hammer out the issues. I think the new file system is one of the issues they are working out, but look forward to the SSD performance increases and the new file system when they figure it all out.

 

[iubhounds]

While I haven't tried to downgrade from High Sierra to Sierra, I've seen various posts here indicating that there might be compatibility issues with some app library files such as Photos, possibly iTunes, maybe some other applications as well.

Just something to be aware of if you try going back. Hopefully you made backups.

I actually went back from High Sierra Beta to High Sierra yesterday and cannot access my photos library because as they say I now have an older version. iTunes seems to work okay.
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Using a Mac Pro 2010, find High Sierra feels slow, went back to Sierra and everything is back to its snappy self. I had 2 apps that didn't work with High Sierra, much better now that I have gone back, first time I've rolled back in OSX.

Did you have any issues setting up your photos after going back to an older macOS version?

 

[spydr]

This is the first MacOS release that really makes me regret upgrading. What are you're thoughts on downgrading to Sierra?

I still have performance issues and slow overall system issues, all of which I never had on Sierra. I thought I would give Apple some time to work out their issues, but being on the .1 release I thought it would be resolved by now. It really makes me dread my laptop now whenever I have to do some serious work.

Anyone else in my position? Late 2013 MBP here.

In my experience with MacOS for the last 15 years, this is just the worst. My retina iMac 2014 used to be so snappy - now it crawls. Beach balls galore. Delete a photo in Photos - takes 5 seconds. Open a picture in twitter (safari) - takes 3 seconds to close it. The non responsiveness is suffocating - as it freezes the entire system while it is non responsive, not just that application.

Really want to go back to Sierra - but worried about if the Photos library will be openable with all the edits in place. That is pretty much my only worry. Ironically all the Aperture like edits they brought to Photos is the main reason I upgraded on day 1. But what good is any of the fancy edit tools when you can't even crop a photo without freezing up the whole system??

 

[RevTEG]

I have a 2015 rMBP. Upgraded to HS and immediately had wifi issues as I reported on a different thread. I scheduled a Genius appointment and Apple Genius suggested I go back to Sierra. Which they did for me. My wifi connection issues immediately went away. I'm sure HS is working great for most people. It just didn't for me and I had the same connection issues on a 2016 MacBook as well.

Please note... I didn't experience any iTunes issues going back down to Sierra. I can't speak for photos though. I didn't have any edits saved on my MacBook.

 

[tmoney468]

I think the file system is a big issue too - yesterday Finder said I had 9GB free on my hard disk so I deleted a bunch of stuff. Checked finder again and it still read 9GB free. A couple minutes later it updated to 40GB free.

A quick question - reinstalling from recovery mode - that just reinstalls the OS correct and doesn't erase files?

I have multiple backups so it shouldn't be an issue.

If I were to downgrade and do a fresh install, is there any issue restoring my data back afterwards since the new backups will be on the new file system?

 

[macagain]

This is the first MacOS release that really makes me regret upgrading. What are you're thoughts on downgrading to Sierra?

I still have performance issues and slow overall system issues, all of which I never had on Sierra. I thought I would give Apple some time to work out their issues, but being on the .1 release I thought it would be resolved by now. It really makes me dread my laptop now whenever I have to do some serious work.

Anyone else in my position? Late 2013 MBP here.

Yep, #metoo ! And this is coming from someone who's been on OS X since 10.1/Cheetah! Never has it been this horrible, and never have I ever contemplated downgrading. also on late 2013 mbp.

My worry is mainly, as others have noted, my photos and itunes libraries. I'm gonna try it over the holidays, worst case scenario is I'll have to re-upgrade back to HS, which wouldn't be any worse I guess.

I miss Steve Jobs!

 

[tmoney468]

I also can't stand the way the media keys work now - so often I listen to Spotify in the background and it never plays/pauses/seeks correctly anymore. I've tried a lot of the hacks but they seem to be hit or miss for me.

I will probably stay on Sierra for the life of my computer since its a late 2013. There's no killer feature in High Sierra for me.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP wrote:
"A quick question - reinstalling from recovery mode - that just reinstalls the OS correct and doesn't erase files?"

The advice that follows assumes you have some kind of a backup.

Your best option is to create a BOOTABLE USB flashdrive version of the installer.
You need a flashdrive 16gb or larger (8gb might work, not sure).
You need the free app called "Boot Buddy".
Initialize the flashdrive to HFS+ with journaling enabled and use Boot Buddy to create the installer.

Now, power down the Mac.
Connect the flashdrive.
Boot and hold down the option key and KEEP HOLDING IT DOWN until the startup manager appears.
Select the flashdrive with the pointer and hit return.

You should boot to the flashdrive installer.... BUT...
DON'T begin the install yet.
Quit the installer and open Disk Utility.
Choose to ERASE the internal drive to HFS+ with journaling enabled. NUKE IT.
Now, quit Disk Utility and re-open the installer.
Go ahead with the install.

When done, you'll be "back where you were" with a completely clean OS.
At this point, you could -try- to connect your backup and see if setup assistant will "bring anything back".
It might... or it might not agree (since you're going from "newer" to "older").

If that's the case, you're going to have to install things "manually".

 

[MSastre]

It's easy to get back if you make a clone of your existing system with Carbon Copy Cloner or SuperDuper before upgrading your OS. Then if there are any problems you a can boot off the clone and copy it back.

 

[pjny]

Had massive issues with slooooow bootup and shutdown. Thankfully Carbon Copy Cloner trial saved the day and I was able to reinstall Sierra. Never loved Sierra more! HS turned my laptops into 8088-speed computers. Was so happy with CCC that I bought it right after reinstall.

 

[tmoney468]

OP wrote:
"A quick question - reinstalling from recovery mode - that just reinstalls the OS correct and doesn't erase files?"

The advice that follows assumes you have some kind of a backup.

Thanks for this. I'm pretty comfortable doing this via terminal so I'll probably go that method. I think in the coming weeks what I'll do is:

1. Full backup via carbon copy cloner
2. Install the latest Beta to see if its any better - doubtful
3. Fresh install of Sierra.

I actually wouldn't mind a fresh install to be honest, I have so much cruft built up over the years that it would almost be easier to start fresh.

 

[Brammy]

I think the file system is a big issue too - yesterday Finder said I had 9GB free on my hard disk so I deleted a bunch of stuff. Checked finder again and it still read 9GB free. A couple minutes later it updated to 40GB free.

I've run into something similar. This weekend I started downloading 80g of a game. I started with 144 gig free. I stopped the download and it showed 90g free. I emptied he trash, still 90g. I went into Photos, checked of the box to optimize storage (or unchecked the one to store full versions, I forget how it was worded) and jumped to 215g free. I only have 50g of photos.

Something is weird with how it reports disk usage.