How to Install Sonoma on Unsupported Mac with OCLP

If you're looking to install macOS Sonoma on an unsupported Mac, there are certain steps you can take. First, you'll need to check if your Mac is compatible with macOS Sonoma by checking Apple's compatibility list.

Install macOS Sonoma on Unsupported Mac Preview

Apple's newest operating system, macOS Sonoma Beta, was announced at WWDC 2023, held from June 5-9. Developers can download and install it, featuring new updates. It will replace macOS Ventura on iMac and MacBook Air, and Pro laptops.

macOS Sonoma supports a wider range of Macs compared to Ventura, but the OpenCore Legacy Patcher team is working to bring the latest macOS 14 to older Macs. Upgrading to macOS Sonoma offers various attractive features, including.

• Video conferencing tool and effects
• Animated screensavers
• Widgets on the desktop
• Gaming and Safari updates

macOS Sonoma introduces new possibilities for innovation and productivity, while maintaining Apple's policy of protecting user data. The operating system carries on the tradition of local protection, like Communication Security, and now includes a feature that detects and warns users about vulnerable videos and photographs.

The 2017 iMac Pro is the only Mac model from 2016 or older that can run macOS Sonoma, which is not supported on Macs from 2016 or older. However, other devices that will support macOS Sonoma include the Mac Pro (2019), iMac (2019 or later), MacBook Air (2020 or later), MacBook Pro (2020 or later), Mac Studio, and Mac Pro (2022).

• iMac 2019 or later
• MacBook Air, 2018 and later
• Mac Pro, 2019 and later
• Mac Mini, 2018 and later
• Mac Studio, 2022 and later

How to Install macOS Sonoma on Unsupported Mac

As a software developer, you can download macOS Sonoma on your MacBook, but first, ensure your Mac is fully compatible with the latest macOS 14. Apple has released a company-wide compatibility list, but some have accused the company of ending service for outdated Mac systems, which may lead to several issues with the macOS Sonoma beta software.

• Non-trustworthy battery life on a MacBook Air or Pro.
• Overheating issues.
• Non-credible third-party app compatibility.

To prevent data loss, consider using a data backup software like Qiling to back up your important files.

Despite the challenges of installing macOS Sonoma, we've identified the top 4 steps to install it on an unsupported Mac. Please share this article on social media to help others.

Step 1. Download macOS Sonoma Beta Resource on Mac

There are two methods to download macOS Sonoma:

A. Download macOS 14 beta for developers from the developer website

To install macOS Sonoma, start by getting the installation file from the Apple Developer website using your Apple Developer Program login. Then, follow the steps below to install macOS 14 for developers from the developer website:

Step 1. You need to open Safari on your MacBook to visit developer.apple.com.

Step 2. Opt for macOS, and hit Download.

Step 3. Use your credentials to sign in.

Step 4. To install macOS 14 Sonoma, go to the download section and find the installation profile for it, then click the "Install Profile" button.

Step 5. The download location needs to be opened on your Mac.

Step 6. Hit macOSDeveloperBetaAccessUtility.dmg to open it.

Step 7. To install the macOS Developer Beta Access Utility, locate the file "macOSDeveloperBetaAccessUtility.pkg" within the disk image, and then double-click on it to initiate the installation process.

Step 8. Hit the continue button.

Step 9. To proceed, go through the terms and conditions, check the box indicating you agree, and select the "Install" option.

Step 10. The software update option will be displayed on the screen.

Step 11. You can download the latest macOS Sonoma Developer Beta by clicking on "macOS Sonoma Developer Beta" and hitting the "Upgrade now" button.

B. Download macOS Sonoma beta from Mr. Macintosh

You can get macOS Sonoma beta download links from Mr. Macintosh without an Apple Developer account. The 11 GB file takes some time to install. For more methods to download macOS 14, check the passage.

Step 2. Correctly Format a USB on Mac for macOS 14

Now that you have installed the macOS Sonoma Installer program on your Mac, you should create a bootable USB drive for your Mac. To do this, follow the steps below.

Method 1: Get rid of your storage device

Step 1. Your Mac needs to be linked with the storage device.

Step 2. Opt for your storage device after opening the disk utility.

Step 3. Hit the "Erase" button on the disk utility's top menu bar.

Step 4. After modifying the disk's name, select macOS Extended in the Format dropdown and GUID Partition Map in the Scheme dropdown for the Mac.

Step 5. You may confirm your preferences by hitting the erase button.

Method 2: Execute command lines to turn your storage device into a bootable installation

Step 1. Open Terminal on Mac by using the Spotlight search shortcut.

Step 2. Type the below-mentioned command strings in the terminal window:

Step 3. To protect your actions, when prompted, enter the administrator account's password and press Y.

Step 4. When the process is finished, the name of your disc division will be changed to Install macOS Sonoma.

Step 3. Download and Install OpenCore Legacy Patcher

To download and install OpenCore Legacy Patcher, follow these steps: OpenCore Legacy Patcher is a tool that allows you to download and install OpenCore, a popular EFI bootloader for macOS, on your computer. First, download the OpenCore Legacy Patcher from the official website, then follow the installation instructions provided.

Step 1. Launch OpenCore Legacy Patcher on your macOS 14.

Step 2. Open Settings from the main page of the OpenCore Legacy Patcher.

Step 3. To ensure accurate information is provided for debugging during the installation process, choose the Verbose option.

Follow the steps below to kick-start the installation work:

Method 1: Create and install OpenCore

Step 1. To install OpenCore on your computer, navigate to the main interface of the OpenCore Legacy Patcher and select the option to build and install OpenCore. This process will guide you through the necessary steps to set up OpenCore on your system.

Step 2. Select the "Build OpenCore" button in the new popup.

Step 3. When the build completes successfully, choose to Install OpenCore and Install to Disc.

Step 4. Choose to install the disc in the OpenCore.

Step 5. Select EFI to confirm your choices.

Method 2: Start the macOS installer & OpenCore

Step 1. Press the option key after restarting your MacBook until you see a boot screen with several options.

Step 2. You can use the keyboard and mouse to select the OpenCore symbol using the EFI boot characters option.

Step 3. You will see the OpenCore Picker on the screen after uploading OpenCore to the website.

Step 4. After deciding to set up macOS Sonoma, you arrive at the typical boot window in the wizard. Here, you can choose your language, keyboard layout, and other necessary settings to begin the installation process.

Step 4. Install Sonoma on Unsupported Mac and Boot

You can install macOS Sonoma from the App Store. To do this, go through the following steps:

Step 1. To download macOS Sonoma, go to the App Store on your Mac, click on the search bar, type "macOS Sonoma" and press Enter. This will take you to the macOS Sonoma download page where you can click the "Get" button to begin the download process.

Step 2. To install macOS Sonoma, hit the Get button, provide your Apple ID, and follow the installation process. Alternatively, you can install macOS Ventura using the OpenCore tool.

Recover Data from macOS 14 on Unsupported Mac

Downloading macOS Sonoma on an incompatible Mac can be exciting, but it may also cause data corruption, potentially ruining your device's critical files and essential information.

If you're having trouble finding meaningful information on your Mac, you can recover it using a reliable data recovery program. Qiling Data Recovery Wizard for Mac is a suitable option in this scenario.

I don't have any information about Qiling Data Recovery Wizard for Mac. Can I help you with something else?

To Wrap Up

After installing macOS 14, you're all set to explore the new features and improvements the operating system has to offer. If you encounter any unusual issues, feel free to let us know so we can notify you of any updates. You can easily install macOS 14 on an unsupported Mac, and if you experience any data loss during the installation process, consider using Qiling to recover your data. Our team is committed to keeping you informed about the latest OS upgrades.

Install macOS 14 on Unsupported Mac FAQs

Consider the below-mentioned FAQs to understand the topic better:

1. How to install macOS Monterey on an unsupported Mac?

To install macOS Monterey on an unsupported Mac, you can prepare a USB by using the Disk Utility. Simply plug the USB into your MacBook, open the Disk Utility, select the USB, and then click the "Erase" button. This will prepare the USB to be used for the installation.

2. How to recover data on macOS Sonoma Mac?

To recover deleted data on a macOS Sonoma Mac, you can download Qiling Data Recovery Wizard for Mac or simply retrieve files from the Trash folder. When you delete files using the move to trash shortcut, you'll see the Trash folder where you can access the deleted files.

3. How to create a macOS 14 bootable installer?

To boot a Mac in recovery mode, turn it on and immediately press and hold the Option (Alt) key until you see your bootable volumes on the screen. Release the Option key, select the drive with the installer, and then tap Return or use the onscreen arrows.

4. What are the new features of macOS 14 Sonoma?

macOS Sonoma boasts several exciting features, including enhanced screen sharing, improved privacy in Safari, the latest accessibility features for cognitive, vision, and speech accessibility, and new screen savers.

Related Articles

• IS 75 Degrees Too Hot For a PC? Everything You Should Know
• Mac Won't Go to Sleep [7 Proven Ways to Fix It]
• Tutorial for Tesla Format USB, Everything You Should Know in 2023
• HDD Low Level Format Tool, 2023 Top Checklist