Downgrade Your Intel MacBook to Older macOS Without a Bootable USB

Updated at: 24/06/2025

Tired of macOS Ventura's quirks and missing your favorite older OS? Downgrading your Intel MacBook can seem daunting, especially without a bootable USB. But fear not! This guide reveals a surprisingly simple method to revert to an older macOS version, bypassing the traditional USB drive route. We'll walk you through the process step-by-step, ensuring a smooth and successful downgrade, even for tech novices. Get ready to reclaim your preferred macOS experience!

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Shutdown and Initiate Internet Recovery

    • Shut down your MacBook.
    • Press and hold Shift + Option + Command + R keys simultaneously.
    • While holding those keys, press and hold the power button to start up Internet Recovery.
    While holding those keys, press and hold the power button to start up Internet Recovery. While holding those keys, press and hold the power button to start up Internet Recovery. While holding those keys, press and hold the power button to start up Internet Recovery.
    Shutdown and Initiate Internet Recovery

  2. Wait for Internet Recovery

    • Wait for Internet Recovery to load (this may take at least half an hour).
    Wait for Internet Recovery to load (this may take at least half an hour).
    Wait for Internet Recovery

  3. Erase the Disk

    • Once in Recovery Mode, erase the disk using Disk Utility. Ensure you erase the entire disk, not just individual volumes. Pay close attention to erasing all volumes, especially if you have multiple disks.
    Once in Recovery Mode, erase the disk using Disk Utility. Ensure you erase the entire disk, not just individual volumes. Pay close attention to erasing all volumes, especially if you have multiple disks.
    Erase the Disk

  4. Select and Install Original macOS

    • Select the original macOS version that came with your MacBook from the list provided.
    • Click 'Continue', 'Agree', and then 'Install' to begin the downgrade process.
    Click 'Continue', 'Agree', and then 'Install' to begin the downgrade process. Click 'Continue', 'Agree', and then 'Install' to begin the downgrade process.
    Select and Install Original macOS

  5. Complete Installation

    • Wait for the installation to complete. The computer may restart automatically.
    Wait for the installation to complete. The computer may restart automatically.
    Complete Installation
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Tips

  • Make sure your Activation Lock (iCloud) is off before starting.
  • Keep your MacBook connected to power throughout the entire process.
  • This method only works on Intel-based MacBooks. Apple Silicon Macs require a different method.
  • Thoroughly erase your disk to ensure a clean installation. Erasing individual volumes is insufficient.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Incorrect macOS Installer Selection

Reason: Downloading or selecting the wrong macOS installer (e.g., incompatible version or corrupted file) can lead to installation failure or system instability.
Solution: Download the correct macOS installer from Apple's website and verify its integrity before proceeding.

2. Insufficient Storage Space

Reason: Not having enough free space on the internal drive can prevent the macOS installation from completing.
Solution: Free up sufficient disk space (at least double the size of the macOS installer) before attempting the downgrade.

FAQs

My MacBook is running the latest macOS. Can I still downgrade to a significantly older version (e.g., several years old)?
While technically possible depending on your specific MacBook model and the original macOS version it shipped with, downgrading to extremely old versions might be challenging or impossible. Apple's servers eventually stop signing older macOS installers. If the installer isn't signed, you won't be able to install it, even using this method. The closer the target macOS version is to your current one, the higher the chances of success.