Restoring previous OS (Ventura) from Time Machine backup after a repair

I recently had a repair, and when using Time Machine restore I hadn’t realised it wouldn’t recreate what I had on my Macbook (Ventura.) I got Tahoe, which I totally wasn’t prepared for.



I understand now I could have wiped the Macbook Air, & somehow got Ventura back first. But I decided to persevere with Tahoe, & I ‘reclaimed’ my backups on my Samsung external drive. I’ve since made changes to things, & continued to backup my drive.


I really, really,  regret not just going back to Ventura! 


Having ‘reclaimed’ my “Macbook Air” backups on my Samsung Drive, is impossible to wipe the Mac, install Ventura, & then use Time Machine to recreate all my documents etc with the changes to my latest backup on Tahoe (changed Mail/documents/mp3s etc.) ?


Thanks for any help.


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Time Machine ↻ to go back to my previous OS, following a repair.

MacBook Air, macOS 26.0

Posted on Oct 29, 2025 3:24 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 29, 2025 4:02 AM

It’s likely impossible, yes. You would not be able to restore from your backup. While you could consider manually copying off your data then manually restoring it, knowing you’d lose settings, licenses, etc., jumping 3 major versions as your Mac did almost certainly involved firmware updates that would preclude proper functioning under the much older OS. That means you’d need another Mac and end up using DFU mode and the Configurator to restore the firmware, etc.


Bottom line is that it’s technically potentially possible, but practically you’re better off adjusting to Tahoe. Many major software platforms (MS365, Adobe, etc.) only support the three most recent versions so they won’t support Ventura anymore now anyway.

7 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 29, 2025 4:02 AM in response to j.7

It’s likely impossible, yes. You would not be able to restore from your backup. While you could consider manually copying off your data then manually restoring it, knowing you’d lose settings, licenses, etc., jumping 3 major versions as your Mac did almost certainly involved firmware updates that would preclude proper functioning under the much older OS. That means you’d need another Mac and end up using DFU mode and the Configurator to restore the firmware, etc.


Bottom line is that it’s technically potentially possible, but practically you’re better off adjusting to Tahoe. Many major software platforms (MS365, Adobe, etc.) only support the three most recent versions so they won’t support Ventura anymore now anyway.

Oct 29, 2025 7:57 AM in response to j.7

When you use Migration Assistant, you can select a backup from those available on the TM disk. There will be a list of the backups on the disk:



Note that you would need to boot into the Recovery OS and completely erase your Mac's internal storage before installing Ventura.


I'd still suggest being prepared to follow these steps:

How to revive or restore Mac firmware - Apple Support


Oct 29, 2025 7:42 AM in response to neuroanatomist

I'm trying, & have posted, accepting I would need to upgrade at some point, as you explained. A lot of my issues right now are more time-consuming, & figuring out things myself. The things that's actually driving me bonkers that I can't resolve is Music/iTunes acting like the skip button is clicked. One minute it's banging dance, jumping to classical, while I'm here googling & forum searching stuff about Tahoe🤪🤪🤪


Skipping songs in Apple Music App?! (using as itunes, not the streaming subscription.)

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Restoring previous OS (Ventura) from Time Machine backup after a repair

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