Downgrading from High sierra back to sierra or El Capitan

[judge2020]

Hey, I was wondering if it's possible to downgrade back to El Capitan or Sierra from High Sierra. I am perfectly fine doing a erase -> reinstall, however, when trying to download El Capitan from the app store I get this message.

As for sierra, I cannot find a link to the app store page for that to test that download.

 

[aol]

Sierra is no longer on the app store, I believe. You can find links to the installer if you google for it. Any link from the apple.com or a subdomain should be safe.

The image you posted isn't specific to Hacks, so you can probably do a general google for that issue. I feel like there is an "option+click" thing on the download button to force the download, but I may be thinking of something else.

 

[BreBo]

As for sierra, I cannot find a link to the app store page for that to test that download.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/macos-sierra/id1127487414?mt=12

 

[judge2020]

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/macos-sierra/id1127487414?mt=12

Thanks, also just found https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208202 (must have recently been put up).

 

[flaturtha]

So, is there a method to downgrade? Especially without wiping my drive and losing my settings? Or do I follow the "create USB, wipe drive, etc." method?

 

[P1LGRIM]

So, is there a method to downgrade? Especially without wiping my drive and losing my settings? Or do I follow the "create USB, wipe drive, etc." method?

Restore your backup - You did take one didn't you ?
Or
Make a Sierra UniBeast flash drive and install without formatting the hard drive / SSD.

 

[Feartech]

So, is there a method to downgrade? Especially without wiping my drive and losing my settings? Or do I follow the "create USB, wipe drive, etc." method?

probably have to wipe and reinstall

 

[flaturtha]

Restore your backup - You did take one didn't you ?

Unfortunately, I screwed up my original system back up and lost it.

probably have to wipe and reinstall

Well, I guess I know what I'll be doing the next few days.

Thanks for clarifying.

 

[MacWithoutMac]

Or
Make a Sierra UniBeast flash drive and install without formatting the hard drive / SSD.

Hey, P1LGRIM. I made a Sierra UniBeast flash drive and tried to downgrade from High Sierra (without formatting the hd) but when the installer boots up and I select the drive to install on it gives me the error message "The source contains a newer release of macOS. Your Mac requires an upgrade before you can migrate from this source". Is there a was to force the installer to install the downgrade Sierra? Thanks

 

[P1LGRIM]

Hey, P1LGRIM. I made a Sierra UniBeast flash drive and tried to downgrade from High Sierra (without formatting the hd) but when the installer boots up and I select the drive to install on it gives me the error message "The source contains a newer release of macOS. Your Mac requires an upgrade before you can migrate from this source". Is there a was to force the installer to install the downgrade Sierra? Thanks

It is not anything that I have ever had cause to attempt.
First examine your reasons for regressing and ensure that they are valid.
Perhaps you could backup your existing installation, make a new installation and then restore your files and data (not settings) from the backup.