would like to try the Beta. will it update firmware?

[chama98]

quick question I would really like to try the beta software. My question is I have a new iMac 2020 27 inch Mac will it update the firmware? If I want to go back to 'old firmware' is that possible and do I need to use apple config software to do it?

Many Thanks

 

[Colstan]

Yes, installing Monterey will update your Mac's firmware to the latest beta version that comes with that iteration of macOS. That includes installing it to an external drive, so there is no way around it. It is possible to downgrade to a previous firmware version, but it is an involved process that requires specifics steps to follow. For details, take a look at this Mr. Macintosh article on the subject. It requires two Macs to perform the downgrade.

Honestly, in my opinion, unless you absolutely need to test Monterey, I don't think it is worth the hassle, particularly since the final release date is only a few months away. What you request is possible, but a pain to deal with. Plus, as always, keep in mind that this is beta software and firmware and therefore should not be used on a production machine that you depend upon as your daily driver. While Apple does its best to make sure that their beta releases are stable and unlikely to cause serious problems, there is no guarantee that the process will be flawless for all Mac users.

 

[rehkram]

I installed Monterey beta on a separate APFS volume, still have Big Sur on the other volume for production. I'm assuming both volumes are both using the firmware that came with the Monterey installer. It's a 2012 rMBP with OCLP. Usual disclaimers, but I've had no issues with firmware, so far as I can determine.

 

[chama98]

Yes, installing Monterey will update your Mac's firmware to the latest beta version that comes with that iteration of macOS. That includes installing it to an external drive, so there is no way around it. It is possible to downgrade to a previous firmware version, but it is an involved process that requires specifics steps to follow. For details, take a look at this Mr. Macintosh article on the subject. It requires two Macs to perform the downgrade.

Honestly, in my opinion, unless you absolutely need to test Monterey, I don't think it is worth the hassle, particularly since the final release date is only a few months away. What you request is possible, but a pain to deal with. Plus, as always, keep in mind that this is beta software and firmware and therefore should not be used on a production machine that you depend upon as your daily driver. While Apple does its best to make sure that their beta releases are stable and unlikely to cause serious problems, there is no guarantee that the process will be flawless for all Mac users.

Thanks for this. To be honest. It’s put me off the idea! 😂.

 

[flowrider]

^^^^I am on a NcMP with ten SSDs. Five are bootable with OSs. Two have Monterey and two have Big Sur. Main and backup drives. One is the Macintosh SSD that was shipped with the machine and has Catalina. I can boot off any of the five drives with no issues. Monterey has been trouble free for me since the first beta 👍

Lou

 

[Realityck]

Yes, installing Monterey will update your Mac's firmware to the latest beta version that comes with that iteration of macOS. That includes installing it to an external drive, so there is no way around it. It is possible to downgrade to a previous firmware version, but it is an involved process that requires specifics steps to follow. For details, take a look at this Mr. Macintosh article on the subject. It requires two Macs to perform the downgrade.

Honestly, in my opinion, unless you absolutely need to test Monterey, I don't think it is worth the hassle, particularly since the final release date is only a few months away. What you request is possible, but a pain to deal with. Plus, as always, keep in mind that this is beta software and firmware and therefore should not be used on a production machine that you depend upon as your daily driver. While Apple does its best to make sure that their beta releases are stable and unlikely to cause serious problems, there is no guarantee that the process will be flawless for all Mac users.

Is it a risk, not really, If you got the gear to do DFU restore. The only time you would need to use DFU anyway is if you accidentally erase the M1 Mac volume or downgrade.

Only use a USB-C to USB-C cable if doing a DFU to a M1 based Mac. Thunderbolt 3 cables don't work. A USB-A to USB-C is also no fun.

Just make sure to have backups and its no real risk to downgrade to 11.5 via then update back to latest macOS 12 beta.

As long you backup enough to restore your current volume, betas are usually not that much risk. Monterey 12b6 is very stable.

 

[Fishrrman]

Personal experience:

I'm using a 2018 Mini that came with Mojave, and I still use Mojave as my day-to-day OS (because I wanted a late-model Mac that would continue to run 32 bit software into the future).

However, I experiment with Apple's most recent OS releases as well, using external drives. (NEVER on my internal boot drive).

As such, I expect that the Mini's firmware has been updated with each successive OS release.

Having said that, after having installed Monterey (including whatever firmware updates it may involve), I still can run Mojave (using it now) with no problems or glitches. Still runs as it always has...