Having an updated version of macOS on an older Mac is possible. This procedure is thanks to the OpenCore Legacy Patcher tool
We know that at every WWDC, expectations for compatibility when new operating systems launch are high and make owners of old Macs nervous. A list is published at the end of the main event to find out which Macs are compatible with the next and latest version of macOS. The good news is that It is still possible to run a new version of macOS on older Macs using the OpenCore platform. It was also used to make Hackintosh possible, which unfortunately is disappearing given the level of modernity they manage in Cupertino. OpenCore is an open repository on the GitHub page.
What is OpenCore? Is the installation safe?
That’s what we call a booter that installs and modifies boot blocks on a storage device to allow other operating systems to boot. The procedure seems simple but it is not. a piece of code is installed on the disk of the corresponding computer with one or more operating systems. The direct advantage is precisely to run new versions of macOS on old, non-compatible computers or on an old PC.
As such, OpenCore is not supported and is therefore under development. It is not a final tool and may exhibit instability to such a degree that information is erased. The best thing, before starting the installation process, is back up your Mac. Now it’s about making the bold decision if you own an old Mac or want to bring to life the Mac that you no longer use because it has an old version.
This is the initial procedure to get started, are you ready?
For this tutorial we will install macOS Sonoma on an old Mac. It is a complex process and there may be other guides, so here we suggest the best so as not to fail in the attempt. We will have to download OpenCore Legacy Patcher developed by Dortania
It is necessary to create a custom installer to have all the necessary and correct driversin addition to the code related to the material created. The process involves patching and creating the installer with the changes included. This way, when the final installer is run, our team will know how to install it without any problems.
You need to know the minimum specifications that the equipment needs to run the new operating system correctly. At least 8 GB of RAM is suggested, in some versions like Ventura and Sonoma this is requested, or even up to 16 GB. Once the tool is downloaded, we will start the procedure. If you’re not sure if you can do this, here are 7 tips and tricks to speed up your old Mac.
Download all the necessary elements
We will need the old Mac and an external USB memory of 16 GB or more. This unit is used to create the macOS installer. From this page download the installer, it is located at the end of the GitHub post with the names “AutoPkg-Assets.pkg” and “OpenCore-Patcher-GUI.app-zip”.
Unzip the downloaded resources. Don’t forget the copy of the installer for the version of macOS you want to install. Remember that this copy must be in the Applications folder for OpenCore Legacy Patcher to find it.
Create the installer with OpenCore Legacy Patcher
- After software decompression, run OpenCore Legacy Patcher
- Click on “Create a macOS installer”
- Then in “Use existing macOS installer” (remember to already have a copy of the macOS version in Applications)
- When we run the software from the Mac on which we will install a renewed macOS, we will be told if the Mac is compatible with the selected installer. This process can also be done on a modern Mac but you need to be careful that the software knows on which Mac model it will ultimately be installedin the Host Model option at the top.
- Connect the 16GB USB drive to your Mac (remember all data on the drive will be deleted to create the patched installer)
- Select the macOS Sonoma installer (or whatever you choose)
- Then select the USB key to install
- It will immediately start the installation process
Here we finish creating the macOS installer. Then you have to go back to the beginning and click on “Building and Installing OpenCore”. Remember that OpenCore versions are hardware specific. If you are not building on the Mac you are going to install the operating system on, remember to select the target Mac model in the settings. To get started, click the “Build and Install OpenCore” button.
Once construction is completed, the software will inform you of a new “Install to disk” button. Select the drive and volume to install OpenCore. We are now ready to install modern macOS on the desired Mac.
Install macOS with OpenCore
We are already about 70% finished. Now let’s move on to the next page of instructions “Starting OpenCore and macOS” which must be clicked. Make sure the USB drive is connected to the Mac where the new version of macOS will be installed, restart your Mac and hold down the Option key. You will start with the EFI boot menu.
- Select EFI Boot with the OpenCore icon on the up arrow
- You will see the OpenCore Picker and you will need to select Install macOS Sonoma (or the version chosen previously)
- The process will begin immediately
Let’s start macOS like new
- Once macOS is installed, we will restart to start with the new system
- We will run OpenCore Legacy Patcher and navigate to the final instruction page called “Post-Install Root Patch”.
It is important to do the following: boot without a USB drive, boot smoothly without Boot Picker, and apply volume patches.. To boot without a USB stick, follow the instructions on the post-installation page. In short, you need to run the software and change the settings, recompile OpenCore and install it on the internal disk. To finish you need to restart and start with the Option key. You will now need to select freshly patched macOS from the internal drive.
To avoid problems without Boot Picker, you need to run the software and go to settings to disable “Show OpenCore Bootpicker”. You will need to rebuild OpenCore once again and bring up the switcher by holding ESC while clicking on the EFI boot volume.
The final patch detail will be required if the USB drive was not created from the software.
Take these considerations into account when concluding and verifying your installation
This installation was certainly very complicated and I had to reread it several times to be able to do it correctly. Consider this tutorial from a famous Action Retro (we saw how he retrofitted an iMac G4) which explain in 15 minutes the process we did here.
It is likely that you will encounter problems after installing macOS Sonoma 14.1, in addition to the presented bugs, there are problems with OpenCore Legacy Patcher 1.1.
Don’t forget the OpenCore installation guide where they explain in more detail what the technical information looks like and how startup works on different older Macs. This tutorial was made possible with insights from AppleInsider’s Chip Loder.
Table of Contents