Error: This volume cannot be downgraded

[InAustralia]

Not sure if many people would see this problem as you don't often have to go into Recovery mode, however I was having problems with my 27"iMac (2017) with 2TB Fusion Drive, after the latest Big Sur update 11.2.1. My Mac was unresponsive when trying to use Finder etc.

I decided to try to re-install the update by booting into Recovery mode and when I tried to re-install macOS Big Sur, I received this error

I called Apple Support and they did not know what the problem was.

I also tried to restore from a Time Machine backup but was unable to do this as it stated that I needed to re-install the macOS.

Apple Support advised me to erase the hard drive and re-install macOS. I did this and restored my files using Migration Assistant. This fix helped with my unresponsive Mac (so at least my Mac is now usable), but the problem above still persisted.

Apple Support are still investigating, but I thought I would post here to see if anyone else has experienced the same issue or knows of a fix.

There is a thread on reddit describing the issue too. https://www.reddit.com/r/MacOS/comments/lgr6cr
Thanks

 

[gilby101]

Guess: You are trying to install 11.2 (because that is what Apple provides) when you already have 11.2.1. Hence downgrade. The only way to downgrade is to erase the disk, install and recover backup.

You may need to wait until Apple provide an 11.2.1 full installer (if they do), wait for 11.3 full installer or go for the erase and reinstall.

What Apple is providing in the way of BS installers is causing angst everywhere. Only the full 11.2 right now. No downloadable updaters. No 11.1 or 11.0. Just like iOS.

 

[InAustralia]

I don't think that is the problem as after following Apple Supports instructions (where I erased my hard drive), I installed macOS11.2. (and did not upgrade to 11.2.1 yet).

I went through the same process again by booting in to Recovery mode and still received the same error message when I was really just trying to install 11.2 over an existing 11.2 build.

 

[STOCK411]

Yes. I am pretty positive this is on apple’s end. Because internet recovery AND the App Store should both have 11.2.1. Both seem to only download 11.2.

How long does it usually take for them to push out the newest version?

 

[gilby101]

How long does it usually take for them to push out the newest version?

Sadly, there is no "usually" in the brave new Big Sur world. These are the only full installers

softwareupdate --list-full-installers
Finding available software
Software Update found the following full installers:
* Title: macOS Big Sur, Version: 11.2, Size: 12208832027K
* Title: macOS Catalina, Version: 10.15.7, Size: 8248985973K
* Title: macOS Catalina, Version: 10.15.7, Size: 8248854894K
* Title: macOS Catalina, Version: 10.15.6, Size: 8248781171K
* Title: macOS Mojave, Version: 10.14.6, Size: 6038419486K
* Title: macOS Mojave, Version: 10.14.4, Size: 6036269091K

 

[STOCK411]

Sadly, there is no "usually" in the brave new Big Sur world. These are the only full installers

softwareupdate --list-full-installers
Finding available software
Software Update found the following full installers:
* Title: macOS Big Sur, Version: 11.2, Size: 12208832027K
* Title: macOS Catalina, Version: 10.15.7, Size: 8248985973K
* Title: macOS Catalina, Version: 10.15.7, Size: 8248854894K
* Title: macOS Catalina, Version: 10.15.6, Size: 8248781171K
* Title: macOS Mojave, Version: 10.14.6, Size: 6038419486K
* Title: macOS Mojave, Version: 10.14.4, Size: 6036269091K

Yes. I. Know. I was just wondering when it would finally appear in the App Store or network recovery.


Seems like that lags behind the actual update release by a week or so.

 

[DeltaMac]

The macOS 11.2.1 full install is now available for download using the usual methods. Downloading that as I post here.

 

[gilby101]

The macOS 11.2.1 full install is now available for download using the usual methods. Downloading that as I post here.

So it is. The 11.2 line in my previous post has been replaced by 11.2.1.

Edit: This is a 'revised' version of 11.2.1 (different build number). Reportedly it checks for enough free space before attempting to install.

 

[RandomTox]

Apple under Tim&Co sucks big time. Constant issues. We all miss Steve.

 

[AKMacDude62]

We need some kind of Steve Replacement and Tim "what's a Macintosh" Cook never was that guy

 

[AKMacDude62]

The looters and rotters infesting Apple need an All knowing, All Seeing, Cruel, Mean and Highly Demanding guy at the top that won't hesitate to run you off if you are not doing your job to his satisfaction, or if he just dosen't like your attitude. It's all Apple knows. The idiots currently running the asylum are not cutting it as a Steve replacement. We all loved Steve, but Steve is Dead. Apple Board: Time to Step In. I vote "No Confidence" in Tim Cook's Management Team. Hire a outsider that knows hardware, software, and Steve's management style, because it's his management style. Look for former military experience. You may not have liked Steves management style, but you didn't see absolute cluster f*cks like this when Steve was around. That's because if you didn't do your job right Steve would magically appear at your desk to find out what the hell was wrong with you.

 

[AKMacDude62]

The looters and rotters infesting Apple need an All knowing, All Seeing, Cruel, Mean and Highly Demanding guy at the top that won't hesitate to run you off if you are not doing your job to his satisfaction, or if he just dosen't like your attitude. It's all Apple knows. The idiots currently running the asylum are not cutting it as a Steve replacement. We all loved Steve, but Steve is Dead. Apple Board: Time to Step In. I vote "No Confidence" in Tim Cook's Management Team. Hire a outsider that knows hardware, software, and Steve's management style, because it's his management style. Look for former military experience. You may not have liked Steves management style, but you didn't see absolute cluster f*cks like this when Steve was around. That's because if you didn't do your job right Steve would magically appear at your desk to find out what the hell was wrong with you.

One More Thing: They are called Software Testers, Apple. Hire some.