The most recent version of Apple’s constantly changing operating system lineup, macOS Sonoma, has arrived to replace the amazing macOS Ventura. This new macOS is jam-packed with exciting features that will elevate your computing experience. Fans and owners of Hackintosh PCs or laptops are excitedly awaiting macOS Sonoma, a comprehensive update that includes everything from beautiful screen savers and adaptable desktop widgets to video conferencing tools that redefine virtual meetings, Safari enhancements, and gaming updates that elevate your entertainment.
Investigating the most recent macOS is an exciting undertaking for individuals who have opted to follow the route of building a Hackintosh. For you, enthusiastic explorers hoping to unleash the possibilities of macOS Sonoma on your desktop and laptop, this guide is especially designed. Come along with us as we install and explore the state-of-the-art features of macOS Sonoma on your laptop or Hackintosh computer, unleashing a plethora of creative opportunities. Now let’s get started!
Table of Contents
How to install macOS Sonoma on a PC or Laptop (Hackintosh)
To help you install macOS Sonoma on your Hackintosh PC or laptop, we’ll be using two well-known tools in this guide: OpenCore and Virtual Machine. Here’s why we selected these two tools:
OpenCore: OpenCore is a flexible utility that makes macOS installation easier on desktops and laptops. It offers extensive hardware support for everything from Wi-Fi to graphic cards. If you would like to construct a hackintosh that supports OpenCore, you can refer to the instructions found at the following link.
Virtual Machine: Setting up macOS on a desktop or laptop can be difficult and sometimes necessitates making several changes to the EFI Bootloader and Config. list files. You may need to try several times before macOS boots up. It is highly recommended to use a macOS operating system running on a virtual machine to expedite this intricate process. Any macOS version, including Monterey on VMware, is compatible. On a virtual machine, macOS runs faster than older versions. This method not only expedites the process but also improves the efficiency and smoothness of customizing your macOS Sonoma installation.
1. Get the Sonoma macOS app.
The macOS Sonoma can be downloaded in one of two ways. The InstallAssistant.pkg file can be downloaded directly from Apple’s server as the first option. Using your web browser, you can accomplish this on a Windows or macOS computer. Once the InstallAssistant file is in your macOS Virtual Machine, copy it there and open it to continue. After running the InstallAssistant file, make sure to extract it.
The macOS Sonoma installer can be found in the Applications folder after the InstallAssistant file has finished its work. This file will be used in the macOS installation package creation process.
The second way is to use your macOS Virtual Machine to download macOS Sonoma straight from the App Store link. Please be aware that because virtual disks typically have slower read and write speeds, this method might take longer.
2. Make a USB installer for macOS
The USB drive must first be restructured to conform to macOS guidelines. It must be formatted with a “GUID Partition Map” and “Mac OS Extended.” To create an EFI partition on the USB drive, you need the GUID Partition Map.
Open Disk Utility by going to the Applications > Utilities folder or by doing a Spotlight search to modify the format of the USB drive. Next, choose your USB drive and press the “Erase” button to remove all of its contents and convert it to the format you see below.
Next, we’ll need to use macOS Terminal to create an installer for macOS Sonoma on the USB drive. You have two options for opening Terminal: search for it with Spotlight or locate it in the Applications/Utilities folder and open it from there.
Use the following command once the Terminal has opened. Note that the USB Flash Drive is referred to as “USBDrive” throughout this guide. In case your USB drive has a different name, make sure to modify the command below appropriately.
sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Sonoma.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia –volume /Volumes/USBDrive
You’ll need to verify your macOS password for Terminal to start the macOS installation package creation process because we’re using a command that begins with “Sudo.”
3. Mount the EFI partition.
Attach the EFI partition. The next step is to use OpenCore to create a custom EFI. Custom EFIs are necessary, each with specific attributes catered to the CPU, graphics card, and kernel extensions for your system, because every PC or laptop configuration is different. The Config.plist file contains this information. You can use these thorough instructions to create a custom EFI for your laptop or PC.
The next step is to copy this EFI folder to the macOS Sonoma Installer’s EFI partition after you’ve finished creating your custom EFI. To mount the EFI partition, use the following commands in Terminal, continuing from step 2.
To start, list all of the drives on macOS by using the “diskutil list” command.
Next, execute the command “sudo diskutil mount diskXsX,” where X is your EFI drive’s ordinal number. The EFI partition is on disk 3s1, and the external drive is on disk 3 in the example below. Therefore, “sudo diskutil mount disk3s1″ would be the command to use.
You can then copy your custom EFI onto this drive after the EFI partition has been mounted. Before installing macOS Sonoma, please make sure the folder structure inside the EFI is correct.
4. Boot to macOS Sonoma USB Installer
Restarting your computer is necessary to start the macOS Sonoma installation process on your desktop or laptop. Next, press the ESC, F8, F9, F10, or F12 keys to access the Boot Menu. Different laptop manufacturers may use different shortcut keys to access the boot menu. For instance, Acer laptops frequently use F12, HP laptops use F9, and Asus laptops use F8. Before doing this step, it is advisable to verify the exact boot menu key for your device.
To start the installation process, select the macOS Sonoma USB Installer after you’ve reached the Boot Menu. To fix any errors that occur when the boot menu appears, go back to step 3 and modify the Config.plist file located in the EFI partition.
5. Install macOS Sonoma on a PC or Laptop
Next, open Disk Utility and make a new macOS Sonoma partition. Windows partitions and the macOS partition will work together harmoniously.
Next, choose “Install macOS Sonoma” to start the installation process for macOS Sonoma. Depending on how well your computer performs, the installation process can take anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes and doesn’t require an internet connection.
You essentially have macOS Sonoma running on your PC or laptop after the installation is finished. Though you might not be able to adjust screen brightness and features like audio and Wifi might not function, your Hackintosh still needs some finishing touches.
FAQ
1. Is it possible to install macOS Sonoma on a PC or laptop?
Yes, it is possible to install macOS Sonoma on a PC or laptop by following the steps outlined in this guide.
2. Do I need to have any prior knowledge of Hackintosh or virtual machines to install macOS Sonoma?
While having some knowledge of Hackintosh and virtual machines may be beneficial, this guide provides detailed instructions that can be followed by anyone.
3. Will all features of macOS Sonoma work on a Hackintosh PC or laptop?
Most features of macOS Sonoma should work on a Hackintosh PC or laptop, but some may require additional configuration. It is recommended to consult Hackintosh forums or online communities for assistance with any specific issues.
Conclusion
Overall, installing macOS Sonoma on your PC or laptop using the Hackintosh method can be a complex process, but it opens up a world of possibilities for creativity and productivity. With the help of tools like OpenCore and Virtual Machine, this guide provides a comprehensive step-by-step process to install macOS Sonoma on your Hackintosh successfully. While there may be some compatibility issues to iron out, having the latest version of macOS on your PC or laptop can greatly enhance your computing experience. So why wait? Follow these instructions and start exploring all that macOS Sonoma has to offer on your hackintosh today.