How To Restore A Mac To An Earlier Date

How to Restore a Mac to Previous Date

If you already have backups turned on, then you can go ahead and take advantage of the restore function built into macOS. For the most part, the steps are similar between Intel and M1-based Macs. However, Apple did change the way you access the macOS Utilities functions, which include the restore and reinstall functions.

If you don’t have Time Machine running on your Mac, then you need to get it set up and running in order to restore your Mac. Our article on using Time Machine on a Mac is all you need to get started.

How to Restore to a Previous Date on M1 Macs

If you’re using an M1 Mac and you need to restore to a previous date, go ahead and shut down your Mac. Then, follow the steps outlined below.

Press and hold the power button until Loading Startup Options appears on your Mac’s screen. Click Options and select your account and enter your administrator password. Select Restore from Time Machine Backup. Next, select the date you want to restore from and then follow the rest of the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

How to Restore to a Previous Date on Intel-based Macs

If you need to restore an Intel-based Mac from a Time Machine backup, you’re going to want to shut it down entirely. Then, follow the steps we’ve outlined below.

Press the power button and hold Command-R until the spinning globe appears. Release Command-R at when the globe appears. Type in your admin username and password. Click Restore from Time Machine backup. Select the date you want to restore to and then follow the rest of the instructions.