ℹ️ macOS compatibility
Getting started
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First use of PrimeCenter V5
Let us provide you some tips for your first steps -
First use of CalderaSubmit
Quick guide to launching your Sign, DTF, or DTG experience
Promoted articles
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Step-by-step guide of how to purchase a subscription product from the Caldera web store, including instructions on using a voucher and reviewing subscription details.
Continue reading or watch the following video (in English):
How to purchase a subscription?
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Go to https://webstore.caldera.com/.

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Need an account? Click Create account to open the registration form in WorkSpace. For step-by-step help, see How to create a Caldera account.
- Click Login to open the single sign-on (SSO) page.
- Enter your Caldera credentials, which are the same credentials used for WorkSpace, then click Sign In.
- Select the product family you want to view.
- Select your Caldera subscription, then click Add to Cart.
- Open your cart.
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If your reseller provided a Dealer Code, enter it in the Dealer Code field. You can add, change, or remove it before checkout.

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Dealer Codes contain numbers only and can be up to 10 digits long. If you do not enter a Dealer Code, the purchase is processed as a direct sale.
- If you have a voucher number, make sure it is valid for the product in your cart, then enter the 20-digit code in the Promo code field.
- Click Apply. If the voucher is valid, it appears below the product in your cart. Depending on the voucher, the order total may be zero.
- Verify that the shipping and invoice addresses are correct, then click Proceed to Checkout.
- If no payment card is registered to your account, add one.
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Enter your card number, expiration date, and security code. Verify the address, then click Proceed to Checkout.

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If you used a voucher, your card is not charged at this stage; it is charged on the subscription anniversary date.
- Review the order and the Terms and Conditions.
- Agree to the Terms and Conditions.
- Click Submit Order.
- Depending on your bank, you may need to authorize the transaction.
- The receipt confirms that your order has been submitted.
- You receive an email with your order details.
- After your order is approved, you receive another email with instructions to activate your license and install the product, as well as an order-confirmation PDF.
(Optional) How to check the status or details of your purchase?
- Return to the web store, point to My Account, then select Dashboard.
- Expand the Subscriptions menu.
- Select My Subscriptions.
- Your approved order appears in the list. Select View details to review it.
- Review the subscription details, including the contract start and end dates.
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This article explains how to register/activate a new product license using CalderaDock.
You can read the full instructions below or watch the short overview video:
Recorded with a previous version of CalderaDock and demonstrating the activation of a CalderaRIP license 1. Create a Caldera account
To create an account, go to Caldera's customer portal WorkSpace, and fill in the account creation form (need help with this? Click here). You will receive an activation email soon after.
2. Download and Install CalderaDock
Before requesting a demo license or activating any license, you must install CalderaDock on your workstation. This application automatically generates your system’s unique hardware identifier (called a fingerprint file) during the license management.
Download the latest version of CalderaDock from the main dashboard of WorkSpace and install it (need help with this? Click here).
3. Get your License
You can request a demo license directly from CalderaDock. The application includes a form that allows you to submit a request:
The demo license is software-based and generated automatically. It becomes available in your account within a few seconds, unless:
- The allowed demo period has already expired (in which case you can request a renewal), or
- Too many demo licenses have been requested for the same account.
After purchasing a Caldera product, the license information is provided in one of the following ways:
- Sent directly to the end user in a Welcome email
- Sent to the partner or reseller responsible for the installation
The email typically contains the required license details (such as the access number and activation code).
Good to know
You may obtain different types of commercial licenses (such as perpetual or subscription). Licenses can also be hardware-based (historically more common with perpetual licenses) or software-based, depending on how the license is delivered and activated. Learn more.
4. Activate your License
- Open CalderaDock.
- Sign in with your Caldera account if you are not already signed in:
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In the Home tab, click "Register a license":
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You can also register a license from the Licenses tab using the Add button:
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Enter the required license details depending on your license type:
- Software-based License: Access number (6 digits) and Activation code (20 digits). These details are provided by email after purchase or when requesting a demo license.
- Hardware-based License: Access number (6 digits) and Dongle code (10 digits). These details are provided by email after purchase. You will also receive a Media Pack containing the physical dongle.
After entering the information, click Fetch:
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When the license is found (for example, a CalderaRIP license), review the included features and click Next:
- (Optional) If your license includes printer drivers, you can assign them during this step. This can also be done later if needed:
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In the final step, activate the license on the current machine:
Click Activate my license:
Connect the dongle if it is not already plugged in:
Once detected, click Activate my license:
- Wait a few moments while the activation completes:
- When finished, you can:
- Click Manage my Applications to install a Caldera product, or
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Click Manage my Licenses to view and manage your licenses.
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If only one compatible license is available, CalderaDock automatically attaches it to the installed product after activation. The status will appear as “Pending for attachment” until the software is launched. You can verify the attachment in the Licenses tab before launching the software.
If you are running Caldera on a Virtual Machine with a software‑based license, the attachment process is different. For more details, refer to this article.
Related Articles
- How to update a license on my workstation?
- How to rehost or move a software-based license?
- How to share a Caldera license between multiple workstations?
- The previous manual license registration method is still available if needed:
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Keeping your Caldera products up to date is crucial for optimal performance and access to the latest features. In this article, we'll guide you through the simple steps to update your software effectively.
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- Added new options or additional users to your license? See updating a license.
- Changed the workstation hosting your license? See this article.
Requirements
Before proceeding with any update:
- Please review the minimum operating system requirements, as these may change with each software release. You may be interested in reading: How to check the operating system version of the computer?
- Ensure that you have the correct and up-to-date license for the product you wish to update.
CalderaDock
Good to know
You can download the latest version of CalderaDock from WorkSpace. If you encounter any issues during the installation, click here.
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By default, the CalderaDock toolbox checks for updates each time it launches:
- If updates are available, a message will appear in the upper right corner.
- You can choose to "Download new version" or "View changelog" (which will redirect you to the HelpDesk).
- If you choose to download, you will see the progress in the same area:
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Once the download is complete, you can select one of the following options: "Close and update now", "Update when you close the application," or "See changelog":
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If you prefer, you can disable the automatic update check at launch in the "Settings." From there, you can also start a manual search for updates:
CalderaRIP, PrimeCenter, and CalderaSubmit (Sign, DTF, and DTG)
All Caldera software updates are managed from the CalderaDock application starting with its version 3.0.
- Open CalderaDock.
- On the Home tab, the Applications section lists the Caldera software installed on your computer, along with details about the currently installed version:
- If your version is not the latest, an orange indicator appears next to it.
- Click the ellipsis button ( ) to "View product details", "Download installers", or "See changelog".
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Click "Update" to install the latest version.
Good to know
Overwriting an existing installation preserves your configuration and updates only the core software files, so you don’t need to redo your settings.
Recent versions of CalderaDock also create an Automated Snapshot before updating. This allows you to easily revert to the previous version if an issue affects your production, such as a license mismatch, software regression, or workflow changes.
- You will be prompted to enter your computer credentials to create the Automated Snapshot.
- (CalderaRIP only) A message may ask you to verify that you have a compatible license.
- CalderaDock will show the progress of the download for the latest version.
- Once the download is complete, the installation of the new version will begin. You will be prompted to enter your computer credentials again.
- (CalderaRIP only) A message will confirm that the update was executed and that a restart is necessary. Clicking "OK" will redirect macOS users to the article dedicated to granting full disk access and other required permissions.
- After the installation is complete, you will see the following message:
- Clicking the "Go to my licenses" button will let you verify that your license is properly attached. If it isn’t, click the link button ( ) before launching the software.
Considerations
PrimeCenter
As PrimeCenter version 3.X introduced significant changes that required substantial data migration, please refer to this guide for detailed information about the update.
CalderaRIP
Reattaching the license is not applicable in the following cases:
- You are using CalderaRIP on a virtual machine with a software-based license. Learn more.
- You are updating to an earlier version (e.g., from CalderaRIP V7 to V11), as the licensing processes differ. Please refer to the dedicated section if that applies to you.
You may be interested in reading: Recommendations before and after updating CalderaRIP
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Use this guide to install CalderaRIP from start to finish. It includes links to related articles for detailed instructions.
Prerequisites
Before you install the software, confirm the following:
- Minimum hardware requirements: Your system must meet the minimum hardware specifications.
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Compatible operating system: Use a supported OS (macOS or Ubuntu Linux).
Tips & tricks
If you are a Windows user, you can still use the software by either creating a dedicated Ubuntu Linux partition on your computer (dual boot) or running it in a virtual machine. Next:
- Download the Ubuntu Linux image file from the official Ubuntu website.
- Follow our installation guide: How to install Ubuntu Linux?
- Device compatibility: Your printer, cutter, or other device must be supported.
Installation Steps
1. Create a Caldera account
Go to Caldera's customer portal WorkSpace and complete the account creation form (need help with this? Click here).
You will receive an activation email shortly after.
2. Download and Install CalderaDock
CalderaDock is the central tool for managing licenses and installing all Caldera products.
Download the latest version of CalderaDock from the main dashboard in WorkSpace, then install it on your computer (need help with this? Click here).
3. Activate a License or Request a Free Trial
In CalderaDock, complete one of the following:
- Activate your product license, or
- Request a Free Trial if no license is active.
4. Download and Install CalderaRIP
Open the Home tab in CalderaDock. When a valid license is active, CalderaDock automatically displays the Install button for CalderaRIP:
Click Install to download and install the latest version of CalderaRIP, then follow the on-screen instructions:
- Confirm that your license is compatible with this version.
- After the download completes, enter your computer credentials to authorize the installation.
- When installation is complete, a confirmation message appears and prompts you to restart your system.
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Some configuration tasks run in the background during installation, which may make the process appear slow, especially on virtual machines. When installation is complete, you will be prompted to restart. Please wait for this prompt and do not force a restart yourself, as this may result in an incomplete installation.
Alternative: Download Previous Versions from WorkSpace
If needed, you can download previous versions from WorkSpace > Other Downloads. Find the app version you want to install and choose an installer type:
- Light version (Recommended): Includes only the CalderaRIP package. Printer drivers can be downloaded and installed separately after the RIP installation.
- Full version: Includes both the CalderaRIP package and printer drivers, allowing printer installation during setup.
Open the installer file and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
OS-Specific Considerations
Depending on your operating system, one additional step is required before or after installation:
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macOS:
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Because CalderaRIP is Unix-based, it uses XQuartz to provide a graphical user interface on macOS. XQuartz is automatically installed with CalderaRIP on macOS.
Warning
If an XQuartz update message appears after the CalderaRIP installation, please do not upgrade since the latest versions of this application present compatibility issues. If you have already upgraded, you can follow this article's instructions to downgrade.
- Visit the dedicated article to learn how to install and grant the required permissions to the software.
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Ubuntu Linux:
- Visit the dedicated section to learn how to mount and install the software.
5. Install and Configure your Printer
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Previously, printer access was based on license tiers defined by printer size and performance (Wide, Large, Grand A, Grand B, High Performance). Optional add-ons were also available.
Currently, printer installation rights depend on your license type (subscription or perpetual with CalderaCare). The optional add-ons are included for all subscription licenses.
Check the compatibility table to confirm that your printer is covered by your license.
For setup, refer to the full printer installation and configuration guide, or watch the video tutorial:
Printer Considerations
- Since license activation, you can assign a printer driver. If you want to modify this setup or add additional printer drivers, please refer to this article.
- Printer configuration steps may vary depending on the printer connection type.
6. Install and Configure your Cutter
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In the past, different cutting devices required separate licenses: CutServer for roll-to-roll cutters, GrandCut (A or B) for flatbed cutters, and a cut option for trimmers. This resulted in different installation methods depending on the device.
Today, annual subscribers and perpetual license holders with CalderaCare can use any CalderaRIP‑supported cutting device without an additional license.6.1 Roll-to-Roll Cutters
Read the complete guide or watch the video:
6.2 Flatbed Cutters
Read the complete guide or watch the video:
7. Launch CalderaRIP
When you open CalderaRIP for the first time, a few pop-ups will help you complete the initial setup.
For first-time installations, European users will see an End User License Agreement (EULA) that must be accepted before using the software:
You will also be asked to choose a color theme, your preferred measurement units, and the default color profile:
If you are installing a new version over an existing one, a pop-up will confirm that the installation has been updated and let you choose whether to keep your current settings (recommended) or reload them:
Warning
Reloading settings may remove custom Application Bar customizations, such as icon size and duplicated modules.
For help exploring the modules, see: First use of CalderaRIP
Additional Help
Caldera’s HelpDesk includes:
- Two glossaries
- A video center
- Several "Troubleshooting" sections, where you can read about technical problems that our support team has previously solved
If you cannot find the information you need, contact the Caldera Support team. To learn the best way to reach them, refer to this article (with video).
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Learn how to install PrimeCenter from start to finish. In this article, we will guide you step by step and provide you with links where you can read about related topics in detail.
Prerequisites
Before you install the software, confirm the following:
- Minimum hardware requirements: Your system must meet the minimum hardware specifications.
- Compatible operating system: Use a supported OS (Windows, macOS or Ubuntu Linux).
Tips & tricks
Need help to check your OS version? Check this article.
1. Create a Caldera account
Go to Caldera's customer portal WorkSpace and complete the account creation form (need help with this? Click here).
You will receive an activation email shortly after.
2. Download and Install CalderaDock
CalderaDock is the central tool for managing licenses and installing all Caldera products.
Download the latest version of CalderaDock from the main dashboard in WorkSpace, then install it on your computer (need help with this? Click here).
3. Activate a License or Request a Free Trial
In CalderaDock, complete one of the following:
- Activate your product license, or
- Request a Free Trial if no license is active.
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- Added new options or additional users to your license? See updating a license.
- Changed the workstation hosting your license? See this article.
4. Download and Install PrimeCenter
Open the Home tab in CalderaDock. When a valid license is active, CalderaDock automatically displays the Install button for PrimeCenter:
Click Install to download and install the latest version of PrimeCenter, then follow the on-screen instructions.
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- To install PrimeCenter on a different machine, click the 3 dots and select "Download".
- If needed, you can download previous versions of PrimeCenter from WorkSpace > Other Downloads.
⚠️ Windows specific instructionsWhen installing PrimeCenter on Windows, the system will prompt you to allow administrator access (UAC).
If you deny or ignore this request, the installation will be incomplete and the software will not work properly: it may not start, access network shares, or behave as expected.
You must allow administrator access to complete a valid installation.
If you previously skipped this step, please reinstall PrimeCenter before using it.
5. Launch PrimeCenter and Explore!
PrimeCenter is now installed and ready to use. Open the application to start exploring the interface.
➡️ Get started with your first use
⚠️ macOS specific instructionsWhen launching PrimeCenter for the first time on macOS, you will be prompted to grant full disk access to an executable called calapisvc. This step is required for the software to work properly.
If you missed the prompt, follow these steps manually:
- Click the Apple menu and open System Preferences.
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Go to Security & Privacy.
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Open the Privacy tab.
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Select Full Disk Access, then click the lock 🔒 to make changes. Enter your password if prompted. Then click the button.
- Press ⌘+⇧+G (Command + Shift + G) and type: /opt/CalApiSvc/bin, then click Go.
- Finally, select calapisvc and click Open.
Info - macOS Tahoe
On macOS Tahoe, the interface may look slightly different, but the process remains the same.
After selecting the executable, it may not appear in the list even though access has been granted. This is a macOS display issue. You should be able to launch the software once the process is complete.
Additional Help
Caldera’s HelpDesk includes:
- Two glossaries
- A video center
- Several "Troubleshooting" sections, where you can read about technical problems that our support team has previously solved
If you cannot find the information you need, contact the Caldera Support team. To learn the best way to reach them, refer to this article (with video).
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In this article, we'll guide you in the CalderaSubmit (Sign, DTF, and DTG) installation step by step and give you links where you can read about related topics in detail.
Recommendation
We suggest involving your IT staff for assistance, especially if you're unfamiliar with the terminology used here.
Everything you need to install your Caldera software is managed through the CalderaDock toolbox. You can download the latest version of CalderaDock from WorkSpace. If you experience any issues during installation, click here for guidance.
Requirements
Prerequisite An active software license is required. You may be interested in reading: How to obtain or renew a Caldera demo license? Minimum Hardware Requirements Minimum Requirements Device Compatibility Supported Peripherals Minimum Operating System (OS) Requirements Requires Windows, macOS, or Ubuntu (exact versions can be consulted here). You may be interested in reading: How to check your OS version? Download and Install the software
- Open CalderaDock.
- Go to the Applications tab.
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Select your software and click in the "Install" button:
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If you don't see the software, it means that you have not registered/activated its license in CalderaDock. If this is the case, please do so. You can refer to this article for guidance on how to complete the registration.
- CalderaDock will show the progress of the download:
- Once the download is complete, you will be prompted to enter your computer credentials and the installation will begin:
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After the installation is complete, you will see the following message:
⚠️ Installing older versions of the software on WindowsWhen installing older versions of CalderaSubmit (Sign, DTF, or DTG) on Windows, the system will prompt you for administrator access (User Account Control - UAC).
If you deny or ignore this request, the installation will be incomplete, leading to issues such as the software failing to start, inability to access network shares, or unexpected behavior.
It is essential to grant administrator access to ensure a valid installation.
If you previously skipped this step, please reinstall the software before attempting to use it.
- Clicking the "Go to my licenses" button will let you verify that your license is properly attached. If it isn’t, click the link button ( ) before launching the software.
Launch your software
When you’re ready, launch your software and explore all its modules.
You might be interested in reading: First use of CalderaSubmit (Sign, DTF, and DTG)
⚠️ macOS specific instructionsWhen launching CalderaSubmit (Sign, DTF, or DTG) for the first time on macOS, you will be prompted to grant full disk access to an executable called "calapisvc-caldera-submit", "calapisvc-caldera-direct-to-film", or "calapisvc-caldera-direct-to-garment". This step is required for the software to work properly.
If you missed the prompt, follow these steps manually:
- Click the Apple menu and open System Preferences.
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Go to Security & Privacy.
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Open the Privacy tab.
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Select Full Disk Access. In some versions, you must click the lock 🔒 to make changes, then you will be prompted to enter your computer credentials. Click the button:
- In some versions, you must browse for the file to grant permission. In other versions, you need to press ⌘+⇧+G (Command + Shift + G) and enter the file location:
- /opt/caldera-submit-calapisvc/bin
- /opt/caldera-direct-to-film-calapisvc/bin
- /opt/caldera-direct-to-garment-calapisvc/bin
- Click Go.
- Finally, select calapisvc-caldera-submit, calapisvc-caldera-direct-to-filmcalapisvc-caldera-direct-to-garment, and click Open.
Info - macOS Tahoe
On macOS Tahoe, the interface may look slightly different, but the process remains the same.
After selecting the executable, it may not appear in the list even though access has been granted. This is a macOS display issue. You should be able to launch the software once the process is complete.
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New macOS releases may not be immediately compatible with every Caldera product version. If you upgrade macOS before confirming compatibility, you may experience unexpected software behavior.
In this case, you may need to downgrade macOS to a supported version until a compatible version of your Caldera product is available.
Good to know
Always check our operating system compatibility page before upgrading macOS and/or your Caldera products.
Before you begin
- Make sure you have access to another computer and an external drive or secure network location for your backups.
- Document the Caldera products installed on the computer, their versions, license information, and any printer or network settings that you will need after the reinstallation.
Back up Caldera products before downgrading macOS
Before downgrading macOS, back up your Caldera product data and configuration. The recommended backup method depends on the product installed on the computer.
Backups help protect production-critical data if something goes wrong during an operating system downgrade, update, or system recovery.
CalderaRIP
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First, create a Caldera Snapshot in CalderaDock.
Important
For complex CalderaRIP production setups, do not rely solely on Caldera Snapshots. Also use Save/Restore Config and manually back up any production-specific files you need.
- In CalderaDock, use Save/Restore Config to back up your user-specific CalderaRIP configuration. Select the options required for your environment, including driver configuration files.
- Manually back up your spot-color files by following How to manually back up each element of CalderaRIP?. Use this article to identify any cutter-specific files required by your setup. If you use Nexio, back up the relevant bridge folders as well.
- Store the Save/Restore Config backup and production-specific files on an external drive or secure network location.
- Verify that all backup files are complete and accessible before continuing.
For an overview of CalderaRIP backup options, see CalderaRIP backup overview.
Other products
For Caldera products other than CalderaRIP, such as PrimeCenter and CalderaSubmit:
- Create a Caldera Snapshot in CalderaDock. By default, snapshots are stored locally in /opt/caldera_snapshots
- Copy the snapshot to an external drive or secure network location.
- Verify that the copied snapshot is complete and accessible.
After downgrading macOS, use CalderaDock to install the required Caldera products, then restore the snapshot.
Considerations
- Caldera Snapshots provide a simple way to back up your Caldera product settings.
- Restoring a snapshot after downgrading macOS can be complex. Apple generally does not recommend macOS downgrades, and recovery steps vary by situation.
- A snapshot includes your data and settings, but not the macOS installer.
- Reinstalling macOS or restoring a snapshot on a different computer may trigger macOS security warnings.
Back up macOS
After backing up your Caldera product data, create a full backup of your Mac before attempting a macOS downgrade.
We recommend using Time Machine, the built-in macOS backup feature. Include the entire main volume in the backup, as CalderaRIP may store files outside your user folder.
Store the backup on an external drive or another secure location.
Downgrade macOS
Caution
Downgrading macOS can cause data loss, compatibility issues, or system instability. Before proceeding, we strongly recommend consulting a qualified professional or Apple Support.
Choose the instructions that match the macOS version you want to downgrade from:
- How to downgrade macOS 27: Roll back Golden Gate to Tahoe
- How to Downgrade from MacOS Tahoe to MacOS Sequoia
- How to Downgrade macOS Sequoia to Sonoma
- For older Macs: Downgrading a Mac that shipped with Catalina to Mojave
You may also be able to reinstall the macOS version that came with your Mac. See How to reinstall macOS.
For additional help, contact Apple Support or make a Genius Bar reservation.