How to downgrade from Tahoe to Sonoma

simon_a6 wrote:

Is there a simple way to restore Sonoma on my Mac Mini please?

Apple does not support downgrading

This does not mean it is impossible but easy - no

Especially if the Mac Mini is the Apple Silicon variety ( M1, M2, M4 )

This link may refer to earlier version going back to say macOS 14 Sonoma

The you will need to adjust the names used

Do suggest reading all the info, understand all the required steps in the oder that have been presented

Then, decide if downgrading it the right or not right course of action to be taken

Only you can make that decision

https://eclecticlight.co/2023/09/30/how-to-clean-install-modern-macos/

simon_a6 wrote:

Wow so if the upgrade seriously messed up your working platform, such as software that is not compatible, there is no way to go through a process, that will remove the latest, and install a chosen version?

No "fail safe"...?

Apple (or any operating system developer) has no duty to ensure third party apps continue to work after updates. Third party developers (Adobe) do have the duty to keep their apps working with any Apple releases. Check for an update from Adobe for Elements. As you have discovered Adobe has switched to a subscription model for its software as have many of the top developers of commercial software.

You might also visit Adobe’s customer support forums to see if there are any solutions to your issue.

simon_a6 wrote:

Wow so if the upgrade seriously messed up your working platform, such as software that is not compatible, there is no way to go through a process, that will remove the latest, and install a chosen version?

No "fail safe"...?

Technically, no one was forced to upGrade to macOS 26 Tahoe

This would have had to have been a conscience decision by the owner of the computer

Whether they chose to perform their Due Diligence before hand, that is a different matter altogether

If you were to have read from the link previously supplied

I think that would answer the question Specifically in regards to " Is there a simple way to restore Sonoma on my Mac Mini please? "

FWIW, Adobe Photoshop Elements 2025 works fine on Tahoe.

FWIW, if you follow the instructions in the link previously posted you can downgrade to Sonoma.