Downgrade 10.13 to 10.12 using time machine?

[BigJohno]

I've never needed to go backwards in operating systems before but High Sierra is just a dumpster fire on my macbook pro.

I'd like to use time machine to back up this current build. After a fresh install of 10.12, could I use that TM backup or will there be some compatibility issues?

 

[Fishrrman]

I suggest you use CarbonCopyCloner instead, to create a cloned backup that is in "finder format".

You -might- be able to use Migration Assistant afterwards, not sure. Give it a try.

If MA doesn't work --- because you have a finder-mountable backup, you can still mount the backup drive on the desktop and "manually copy" stuff over (not all things can be copied this way, but much can be).

IF you had used CCC to create a fully-bootable backup BEFORE trying High Sierra, it would have been very easy to "get back, get back, get back to where you once belonged".
Just:
- reboot from the cloned backup
- erase the internal drive
- RE-clone the backup BACK TO the internal drive.

I suggest you try this in future. Could save a lot of grief....!

 

[m4v3r1ck]

+1 for Carbon Copy Cloner.

Saved my bacon many times!

Cheers

 

[dianeoforegon]

+ on CCC

You should be able to use the steps here to downgrade:
http://osxdaily.com/2016/10/02/downgrade-macos-sierra/