Searching for How to install macOS Sonoma on Unsupported Macs. Using the most recent version of macOS, or the Mac operating system, is crucial from a security perspective, particularly if you want to protect yourself against vulnerabilities that are being actively exploited. There’s a strong possibility that the most recent version of macOS won’t function on your Mac if it’s older than Macbook Air 2018. Apple discontinues support for Mac models that it deems to be outdated or vintage.
Buying a new Mac is a considerable option if you want to use the macOS Sonoma in the case that Apple no longer supports your Mac. Buying a new Mac will allow you to take advantage of all the features offered by Apple and will also improve speed and system stability. However, due to different issues if you can’t buy a new Mac. I will give you the good news on how you can Install macOS Sonoma on Unsupported Macs.
You can install macOS Sonoma on Unsupported Macs too with the help of following the below Guide. But to be more sure. You can check the list of supported and compatible Macs for the Latest Mac operating Systems. As sometimes the problems you face during installation are not due to the model of your Mac but due to technical issues.
Table of Contents
Compatible:
Compatible with macOS Sonoma.
- MacBook Air from 2018 and later
- MacBook Pro from 2018 and later
- Mac Mini from 2018 and later
- iMac from 2019 and later
- iMac Pro from 2017
- Mac Pro from 2019 and later
- Mac Studio from 2022 and later
For macOS Ventura:
- MacBook models from 2017 or later
- MacBook Air models from 2018 or later
- MacBook Pro models from 2017 or later
- Mac mini models from 2018 or later
- iMac models from 2017 or later
- iMac Pro (all models)
- Mac Pro models from 2019 or later
- Mac Studio (all models)
Compatible Macs for macOS Monterey:
- MacBook models from early 2016 or later
- MacBook Air models from early 2015 or later
- MacBook Pro models from early 2015 or later
- Mac mini models from 2014 or later
- iMac from 2015 or later
- iMac Pro (all models)
- Mac Pro models from late 2013 and later
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How to install macOS Sonoma on an unsupported Mac
- Connect your external hard drive or USB flash drive. (This is necessary for upcoming steps.)
- Launch the GUI-Offline version of the “OpenCore-Patcher” application that you downloaded as part of step 5 of your preparation. Select “Open” when prompted.
3. Click the “Create macOS Installer” button located in the app’s main window.
4. Select “Download macOS Installer” if you haven’t already downloaded one. There will be a pop-up window displaying the available macOS versions. The most recent non-beta version should be near the bottom of the list; click on it.
5. The download of the macOS Sonoma version will start. Upon completion of the download, you might be asked to provide the username and password of an administrator to “add InstallAssistant” and proceed to the next step, which involves copying the “Install macOS Sonoma” application to your Applications folder.
6. After that, select the “Flash Installer” button. The “Install macOS Sonoma” app that you downloaded in the preceding step will then need to be selected. (If there are several options, select the most recent Sonoma version from the list.)
7. After that, a prompt to select your external hard drive or USB flash drive will appear. (If there are several options available, carefully select one; the drive will be completely erased in the next step.) Since you’ll need to select the same disk again later, you might want to write down the disk specifications.
8. Once more, you might receive a prompt to provide the username and password of an administrator. Because “OCLP-Helper wants to make changes” (OCLP stands for OpenCore Legacy Patcher; this step permits formatting of your external drive). The process of copying data to your external drive can take a very long time, as indicated on the “Creating Installer” screen. On my 2007 iMac, this step took nearly ninety minutes.
9: After the procedure is finished, a “Success” dialog box will appear, and you can select the “Return to Main Menu” option.
“Build and Install OpenCore”
10. Select the “Build and Install OpenCore” button from the “main menu” window. To proceed, click the “Build OpenCore” button in the new window that appears.
11. The “Build OpenCore” button will become “Install OpenCore” When the text stops scrolling; select Install OpenCore.
12. Click the button for the same disk (your external drive) that you selected in step 7 above in the “Install OpenCore” window.
13. Selecting the partition will be the next step. This list should only have one button, which will most likely say “EFI” in the center. To proceed, click that button.
14: Because “OpenCore Legacy Patcher needs administrator privileges to mount your EFI,” you might once again be asked to enter the username and password of an administrator. To set up the external drive for the upcoming actions, this is required.
15: A little while later, you’ll see some text that says, “OpenCore transfer complete.” You can now install macOS Sonoma on your Mac.
16. It’s now time to update your Mac’s operating system! Before moving forward, carefully read this entire step. You’ll need to be prepared to swiftly press keyboard buttons. When the time is right, click the Apple menu, choose “Restart…”, and then click Restart again.
Installation:
Press and hold the Option (or Alt, if you’re using a third-party USB keyboard) key on your keyboard right away. As soon as you see the multiple drive options, release your hold on the Option/Alt key and select the “EFI Boot” option featuring the blue-and-white OpenCore logo with the arrow keys. This option can be chosen by pressing the Enter or Return keys.
Next, choose the “Install macOS Sonoma” option by using the arrow keys and Return/Enter keys.
After that, the installation disk will be used to start your Mac. This could take several minutes, depending on the age and speed of your external drive and Mac. 17. The following options ought to appear when your Mac has finished booting up. Restore via Time Machine Install Disk Utility, Safari, and macOS Sonoma.
Select “Install macOS Sonoma” and proceed with the installer as usual. When prompted to select a disk, select the internal drive (such as “Macintosh HD”) on your Mac.
18: Your Mac will most likely restart itself after some time. Should you find yourself back at the screen from step 17, simply click the Apple menu, choose Restart, and start holding Option once more right away. This time, when you select “EFI Boot,” you must select the “macOS Installer” option with the internal hard drive icon superimposed (see the image below). This will enable the installation of the operating system to be finished.
19: A few more steps are needed after macOS Sonoma has completed installation. To make sure you no longer need the external drive attached, you should first correctly set up your internal drive. Open the OpenCore-Patcher application (the one you used in step 2) to accomplish this. To build and start installing OpenCore, go back to step 3 and repeat steps 10 and 11 from the main menu.
20. Even though you select your external drive in step 12, this time you’ll choose your internal drive (which is probably disk 0, though it might be different on your Mac).
OpenCore Legacy Patcher needs administrator privileges.
21. Similar to step 13, there should only be one “EFI” option located near the center; select this button.
22. Similar to step 14, to mount your EFI, “OpenCore Legacy Patcher needs administrator privileges.” You will be prompted to enter the username and password of an administrator. To get the internal drive ready to boot without the external drive connected, this is required.
23: After you see a window akin to step 15, some text will appear, concluding with “OpenCore transfer complete.” Select “Return to Main Menu” to get ready for the following action.
24. Select the “Post-Install Root Patch” button from the main menu. (This will assist you in installing any additional updates required to enable Sonoma to function with the legacy hardware on your Mac.) Next, select “Start Root Patching” from the menu.
25. Click Yes when the prompt “Relaunch as root” appears. Because “OpenCore Legacy Patcher needs administrator privileges to relaunch as admin,” you will once again be asked for the username and password of an administrator. Step 24 should be repeated at that point since the app will relaunch from the main menu. After that, you can move to step 26.
26. You’ll also see the message, “Please reboot the machine for patches to take effect,” after it says, “Patching complete.” To eject an external drive (such as a USB drive) before rebooting, drag its icon from the desktop to the trash and then physically unplug it from your Mac. Next, select “Restart…” from the Apple menu, and then select “Restart.” Hold Option/Alt again and choose the EFI Boot option for the internal drive.
Everything is ready for you! You are now running macOS Sonoma on your Apple-unsupported Mac!
Finally, the process you have to Complete the process of install macOS Sonoma on Unsupported Mac. Congratulation! You did it without buying a new Mac.
FAQ
1. Will this method work for all unsupported Mac models?
This method may work for some unsupported Mac models, but there is a risk that it may not be compatible with certain hardware and may cause issues with system stability or performance.
2. Is it safe to install macOS Sonoma on an unsupported Mac using this method?
While this method has been tested and deemed safe by some users, there is always a risk involved when installing an unsupported operating system on a device. Make sure to back up your data and proceed with caution.
3. Will update to future versions of macOS still work after following this method?
It is not guaranteed that future versions of macOS will be compatible with this method and may require a new process to install. We recommended researching and testing before updating to a new version of macOS to ensure compatibility.
Conclusion
In conclusion, to install macOS Sonoma on unsupported Macs is a great way to keep using the most recent and secure version of the operating system on older Mac models. While buying a new Mac is the best option, it may not always be feasible. By following the steps outlined, you can successfully install and run macOS Sonoma on your unsupported Mac, ensuring improved security and access to the latest features from Apple. It may take some time and technical knowledge, but it is a worthwhile process that allows you to continue using your Mac for longer. As always, make sure to back up your data before attempting any major changes to your system.