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How to install OCLP Nightly Beta & macOS Sonoma on Unsupported Macs!

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NOTE! OCLP 0.6.9 is in BETA PREVIEW mode!!!! Please only install on a test Mac, as no support is provided until the public build is available. In this video I will show you how to install macOS Sonoma Beta on your Unsupported Mac from 2008 – 2017! I’ll show you step-by-step how to use OpenCore Legacy Patcher to install Sonoma Beta on your old Mac! CHAPTERS & UPDATES BELOW

UPDATES: 1/02/23
1. macOS Sonoma is LIVE! OCLP 1.0.0 now is supported! This video is for OCLP Nightly beta installs ONLY!
2. NOTE: on some 2010 and older Macs might get “An error occurred preparing the software update” error. If you do, be sure to reset your NVRAM.
3. Main download site for OCLP 0.6.9 BETA for macOS Sonoma Beta

Chapters
0:00 Welcome & Intro
0:36 WARNING THIS IS AN ACTIVE BETA OF OCLP!
1:34 Important Notes before we start the install process.
3:59 Start of full OCLP BETA to macOS Sonoma Walkthrough!
4:46 Downloading OCLP 0.6.8 Beta and moving it to Applications folder
5:46 Creating macOS Sonoma Beta Installer – Erase USB drive with Disk Utility
7:29 Use OCLP App to download Download Sonoma Beta & Create USB Installer
10:01 Preparing to reboot to Sonoma Beta installer – Hold down option!
10:27 Now we are in macOS Sonoma Beta USB Recovery
10:30 Starting the macOS Sonoma Beta Upgrade in place (maintains data)
11:18 First reboot after install you do not have to click any keyboard keys
11:50 Second reboot continuing install
12:00 Third reboot continuing install
12:10 Forth reboot continuing install
12:37 OCLP Auto Patcher install
12:47 5th and final reboot
13:03 Logging in the first time into macOS Sonoma Beta!
13:29 Installing the Post-Install Root Patch
14:12 Ready to reboot
14:24 Log in now we have graphics acceleration!
15:02 Installing OpenCore boot loader to our internal Hard Drive EFI partition.
15:46 Rebooting hold down Option to select internal Hard Drive Boot Disk
16:24 Back up in macOS Sonoma Beta checking for wifi
16:30 THANK YOU OCLP DEVS! How do donate to the cause!!!!

Thank both Mykola (khronokernel) & Dhinak (dhinakg) for your work on OCLP + all of the contributing developers who help maintain the patcher! OCLP brings new life to thousands of Macs saving them from the recycler!

OpenCore Legacy Patcher download
github.com/dortania/OpenCore-Legacy-Patcher/releases

github.com/dortania/OpenCore-Legacy-Patcher/releases/download/0.6.6/OpenCore-Patcher-GUI.app.zip

OCLP Ventura info
dortania.github.io/OpenCore-Legacy-Patcher/VENTURA-DROP.html

Download macOS Ventura Full installer –
mrmacintosh.com/macos-ventura-13-full-installer-database-download-directly-from-apple

OCLP Discord Server
discord.gg/rqdPgH8xSN

MacRumors Thread
forums.macrumors.com/threads/macos-13-ventura-on-unsupported-macs-thread.2346881

Support OCLP
dortania.github.io/OpenCore-Legacy-Patcher/DONATE.html

Support Mr. Macintosh
patreon.com/mrmacintosh
paypal.me/mrmacintoshblog

DISCLAIMER: Please understand that installing macOS Ventura on your unsupported Mac is a best effort by the community. A ton of work went into getting the patcher to work! Some things might not work exactly right but it’s really really close. I would not recommend installing on a system that you rely on for work or school. ALWAYS BACKUP YOUR FILES FIRST BEFORE YOU UPGRADE! The good news is that you are getting the latest security fixes from Apple. Some might argue that upgrading to Patched Ventura makes your Mac safer since Apple is no longer fixing security issues on 10.15 and below.
Note: Mr. Macintosh is the original author of this video, we just embed it, if you have any questions please contact him via Youtube.

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31 Comments

  1. mine only Boots when the USB is mounted, I tried doing it manually And transfered the EFI files to the internal Drive so I can boot from there, and it still wont boot that way, I re formated my SSD from Extended Journal to APFS to see if that helped and not it didnt, I mean it runs smoothly, I just hate having to have my USB mounted on my laptop the whole time, I also have my SSD divided in two Partitions, Windows in the other half, can that be an issue?? I don't mind erasing everything and starting fresh, But still I cant seem to get that thing to boot on its own, Any suggestions?

  2. This is amazing! Does this mean I could unpack my 2012 27" iMac and put even Ventura on it? Would owned apps like FCPX work or would they reject the operating system environment?

  4. I downloaded the MacOS and worked well, but when I was done, the TouchID didn’t work. When I go to the settings and want to set lt up, it asked for the password. And when I type the password Mac says it’s wrong, even if it’s right. Anyone who knows how to fix that?

  5. won't show any Mac OS to download
    openCore Legacy Patcher encountered the following internal error:
    AttributeError: 'macOSInstallerDownloadFrame' object has no attribute 'icons'
    <FrameSummary file resources/wx_gui/gui_macos_installer_download.py, line 148 in _display_available_installers>

  8. I installed macOS Somona on top of macOS Ventura on a Mid 2011 21,5 iMac using OCLP 0.6.9. Everything is working fine except Bluetooth. It's not working at all. I am using a wired keyboard to write this post because I was using a bluetooth keyboard that is not working now. Does anyone know how to solve this problem? I hope the new release of OCLP which is expected tomorrow can correct the problem.

  11. I have an iMac Mid 2011 and I upgraded the memory to 12GB also the storage to SSD of 256GB. Would it be possible to install/update to Mac OS Sonoma on it? Currently using Mac OS Ventura which runs quite smooth. Thank you!

  12. Hello Mr. Mac, I have Mac pro 2011 early. But I upgrated the memory to 16 GB and the storage to SSD of 1TB. Would it be possible to install. Sonoma on my old Mac pro? Now I have Mos high sierra. Thank you!

  13. Hello, I have a MacBook Pro 2017 13inch Two Thunderbolt … When booting EFI I have a black screen and nothing happens … Do you have an explanation? Solution ?

  17. on Macbook Retina 12' 2017 all good, except one problem. System automatically starts in Bootcamp mode or I have to press OPT key every restart to choose system. In settings startup disk choosen as Macintosh HD, but still restarts in Bootcamp for Windows. Any idea?

  21. Hi, Nice video, step by step all done, however, my finger print loging is not working, when try to add my finger it asks me to set password which i do but then when i try to enable finger print it asks for the password first and when i put the set password it says wrong passwrod, same password however works on other applications but gives password error when setting finger print lock. can you help me on this, or is it a known bug in this beta

  25. Dose Sonoma work in a iMac 16,2 since I can get to the install section but I don’t see all of the drivers- looking forward to you reply- I followed all of the directions

  28. Not workins as is on a 21,5 2012 imac with Catalina. The Sonoma installer didn´t boot, after install opencore onto the disk.
    But thanks for all your hard work. I will try Ventura. Edited, second try installing sonoma on a hard-drive instead of using a USB, booted the installer. Perhaps faulty USB drive on first time. Thanks again!

  29. Another Quick update: I installed Sonoma 14 ( 23A339 ) yesterday from MacBook Air System Software Update and all is well and dandy and works super. A Big massive Thanks to the Devs again.