Old OS versions internet recovery

[shiftcommandl]

Good afternoon! I have a 2018 MBA that I recently internet-recovered to Mojave (shipped os). I am thankful this is possible but am wondering whether it will be possible a few years down the line. How long does Apple support internet recovery after the release of the OS version? Is there any time bar? Thanks for your insights.

 

[Fishrrman]

As to "how long" Apple will support re-installing Mojave through internet recovery on a 2018 MBA -- well, just can't say.

It's Apple, and they change their policies on their whims, without warning.

But... so long as "Command-SHIFT-OPTION-R" still works to reinstall Mojave, it works.

You might consider creating a bootable clone of your current Mojave install on an external drive (using either CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper).
Set it aside in a safe place.
Then, you'll have a way "to reinstall Mojave" without Apple.
Just "re-clone" the cloned backup BACK TO the internal drive...

 

[shiftcommandl]

What about mavericks or snow leopard or even mountain lion? Is internet recovery possible for these in 2021?

 

[jbarley]

What about mavericks or snow leopard or even mountain lion? Is internet recovery possible for these in 2021?

You don't get to select which version of OSX to install.
Internet Recovery will always install the version of OSX that the computer in question originally shipped with.

"Mac Internet Recovery
Apple first offered a new recovery tool as part of OS X Lion back in July 2011"

 

[mdgm]

You don't get to select which version of OSX to install.
Internet Recovery will always install the version of OSX that the computer in question originally shipped with.

Except for Macs that shipped with Snow Leopard that got Internet Recovery with an EFI(?) Update in Lion such as the mid-2011 iMac. Internet Recovery on those will not put Snow Leopard back on, but rather Lion.