Downgrade macOS Tahoe to Sequoia [Step-By-Step Guide]

Recently, many users upgraded their Macs’ operating systems to macOS Tahoe 26 developer beta. Most of them have feedback that the “Liquid Glass” design is stunning, and the Spotlight search function is more intelligent than ever before.

However, it might encounter some problems as well. For example, the system isn’t that stable, and there are compatibility issues when users run some software. Considering the new macOS version might include errors and minor glitches, some users decide to downgrade macOS Tahoe to Sequoia.

If you’re the one who wants to downgrade macOS Tahoe to Sequoia, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, I’ll mention the prerequisites for downloading macOS Sequoia and introduce several methods to downgrade macOS Tahoe to Sequoia.

What to Do Before Downgrading macOS Tahoe to Sequoia?

Before initiating the downgrading process, it’s recommended to back up the data on your Mac and ensure that the macOS version you’re downgrading to is compatible with your Mac model. Meanwhile, some methods may require a stable internet connection to download the files; therefore, it is advisable to check your internet connection in advance.

Additionally, it’s wise to check out the available storage space on your computer. Ensure you have 35 GB of free storage space. If you didn’t know what files had taken up too much space on your Mac, you can use BuhoCleaner to find and remove unwanted files.

As a professional Mac cleaning tool, BuhoCleaner can quickly scan the files on your Mac computer and give it more storage space by finding and deleting unwanted temporary files, cache files, duplicate files, apps, and large files. Click the button below to try it out yourself.

How to Downgrade macOS Tahoe to Sequoia in 3 Ways

In this part, I’ll introduce 3 proven methods to downgrade macOS Tahoe to Sequoia. From restoring a previous backup to using a bootable installer, you can choose according to your needs.

1. Downgrade macOS Tahoe to Sequoia via Time Machine

If you have established a Time Machine backup for the macOS Sequoia, you can give it a try. This solution allows you to restore your Mac to the previous state, where all settings and apps can be restored. However, you should bear in mind that any changes made after the background will be lost.

1. Connect your Time Machine backup drive to your Mac.
2. Restart your Mac in Recovery mode:

• For Intel-based Macs: Press and hold Command + R until you see the Apple logo.
• For Apple Silicon Macs: Press and hold the power button until you see the startup options.

3. Click "Options" > "Continue".

   

4. Choose “Restore from Time Machine Backup” and click “Continue.”
5. Select the backup that was made before upgrading to macOS Tahoe.

2. Downgrade macOS Tahoe to Sequoia via Internet Recovery

If your Mac originally came with macOS Sequoia and you upgraded to macOS Tahoe, you can use Internet Recovery to reinstall the factory-installed version (Sequoia).

1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Enter macOS Recovery:

• For Intel Macs: Hold down Shift + Option + Command + R and press the power button.
• For Apple Silicon Macs: Press and hold the power button until the Options button appears.

3. Select "Disk Utility" > "Continue", erase your main drive, Macintosh HD, and confirm.

   

4. Go back to the macOS Utilities window and click “Reinstall macOS Sequoia.”
5. Follow the on-screen instructions.

3. Downgrade macOS Tahoe to Sequoia via a Bootable Installer

You can choose to install macOS Sequoia with a bootable installer, but you can't do that with Internet Recovery.

The bootable installer lets you focus on the specific version of macOS you want to install. It's ideal for users who need a custom version due to compatibility issues or specific software needs.

You can also use a bootable installer to install macOS on more than one Mac. This may require you to do some extra work, such as formatting a USB drive and making an installer, but it's worth a try. Prepare a USB flash drive with at least 32GB of storage space, then follow the steps below to downgrade your macOS.

1. Format the USB drive to Mac OS Extended (Journaled) using Disk Utility.

   

2. Open the Mac App Store, search for macOS Sequoia, and click "Get" >"Download" to download the macOS Sequoia installer.

   

3. Open Terminal and enter the command to create a bootable installer:

sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Sequoia.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume

Note: If the Install macOS Sequoia.app is located somewhere other than /Applications, don't forget to change "/Applications" to the correct directory.

For example, I installed macOS Tahoe on a separate APFS volume on my Mac, and the file location of "Install macOS Sequoia.app" is /Volumes/Data/Applications/Install macOS Sequoia.app. Therefore, the correct command I should use is:

sudo /Volumes/Data/Applications/Install\ macOS\ Sequoia.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume

4. When you see "Install media now available at "/Volumes/Install macOS Sequoia", it means your bootable installer is ready.

   

5. Insert the bootable USB drive into your Mac.
6. Restart your Mac and hold Option (Intel) or Power (Apple Silicon) to open Startup Options.
7. Select Options > Continue, open Disk Utility, erase your macOS Tahoe disk (APFS, GUID), then quit Disk Utility.
8. Restart, hold Option again, select the USB installer, and follow the prompts to install macOS Sequoia.

Comparison of Different Ways to Downgrade macOS Tahoe to Sequoia

As you can see, each solution has benefits and challenges. To choose the method that best fits your needs and circumstances, you should figure out the features of each method.

It’s straightforward to use Time Machine to restore your Mac, and this method will preserve your data and settings. Internet Recovery offers a clean install of the original macOS version without additional hardware. A bootable Installer gives you precise control over the macOS version you install.

In the comparison chart below, I’ll compare the differences between these 3 methods. Based on the comparison chart, you’ll know which method is best for you to downgrade macOS 26 Tahoe to Sequoia.

Conclusion

You can take several measures to downgrade macOS Tahoe to Sequoia. Before initiating the downgrading process, it’s essential to back up your data, free up the storage space, and ensure a stable network connection.

Proven methods vary from Time Machine backup to bootable installers. If you don’t know which method to choose from, you can compare the pros and cons by referring to the comparison chart to see which method is best for you.