Today I will show you how to Install macOS 11 Big Sur on an Unsupported Mac. To be clear this guide shows you how to install Mac OS Big Sur, it is up to you to backup your data first and use Big Sur at your own risk, I am not responsible for any loss of data etc…For me as you can see I installed Big Sur and it worked for me, however due to unforeseen circumstances I can't help with all install steps if it doesn't work out for you. I also can't support or guide you on the use of additional Apps you may install like for example Office (word, powerpoint, excel), Final Cut Pro, Photoshop etc… they may work – they may not. However do help others in the comments if you get Apps to work what other are struggling with. Please make sure your Mac is Compatible here; https://bensova.gitbook.
First thing first, the version number. Yes, we are now looking at macOS 11, after roughly 20 years of macOS 10/Mac OS X incremental updates. Well, with the release of this new version which will be available on Apple Silicon-based Macs and which introduces a totally new design, Apple taught it was time. Normally, you can obtain a copy of macOS Big Sur via System updates under System Preferences or can simply use App Store. But as you're using an unsupported Mac, you won't be able to get new updates as you're using unsupported Mac and Apple will block updates for new OS.
You start with creating a bootable USB with info from this post. Just pick Big Sur instead of the mentioned High Sierra.
You start with creating a bootable USB with info from this post. Just pick Big Sur instead of the mentioned High Sierra.
Mac Os Big Sur On Unsupported Mac
Building/installing the patcher
After that follow these instructions,on how to install and use the OpenCore Legacy patcher.
Patched Sur Download
Remarks
- Erase/format the MAC HD/SSD before installation !! I really think that this does it more simple for the installer !!
- 'Mac OS Extended(journaled)' with an old non SSD HD
- With en SSD use 'APFS'
- The Mac rebooted several times during install.
- Don't remove the USB until at the very end.
- If you, like me, have a Mac which need the legacy video acceleration support please note that the Mac have a painfully slow display update before you have applied the 'Post-Install volume Patch'.
- Updating the Mac from Big Sur 11.4 to 11.5, made the messages.app stop working fixed in release 0.2.4
- Please note that 'Nightly Builds' are available but are for testing purposes only !!!