It is possible to install macOS Big Sur on unsupported Macs, but you must pay attention to all the risks and recommendations that we give you.
The Monterey macOS version has managed to be on a large number of computers, with many changes compared to its predecessor version, BigSur’s. However, many Apple models have been left out of this update, although there may be a possibility of install macOS Monterey on an unsupported Mac.
Just as BigSur can be installed on an old Mac, it is also possible with this version. It has become a habit, although it takes time for developers to improve the method and implementation of the system. It is not a complex process, but it does carry risks that only you can take. At no time are we going to recommend installing it or not.
MacOS Monterey Compatible Devices List
We start with the most important thing, which is to know the devices that are compatible, to avoid doing this process uselessly. This is the official list Mac compatible with macOS Monterey:
- iMac: from 2015 onwards
- iMac Pro: from 2017 onwards
- MacBook Air: from 2015 onwards
- Macbook pro: from 2015 onwards
- Mac Pro: from 2013 onwards
- Mac mini: from 2014 onwards
- Macbook: from 2016 onwards
In this list you will miss computers with more than enough performance to mount this version of macOS, which were even compatible with the BigSur version. However, Apple has decided to exclude them by age, leaving out devices such as the 2014 iMac, Macbook Pro and Air.
In any case, we recommend applying this method on devices whose graphics card can support Metal API, especially to have a good performance on the computer. You will therefore need a Mac manufactured from 2012, since they have the required graph. Any previous model, although it can be done, it is better that you opt for a version like macOS Catalina.
Is there a danger of installing this version on an old Mac?
In this type of process, you should be cautious before jumping into the pool and installing a version so far a year from your Mac. You have to take into account the model you have and the hardware it mounts, since can be a risk if you don’t have the proper.
Although it is possible to install macOS Monterey on many devices that have been left out, there are some that are not advisable and cannot be installed under any circumstances:
- Mac Pro 2006 and 2007
- iMacs from 2006 and 2007
- Macbook 2006 and 2008
- 2008 Macbook Air
- 2006 and 2007 MacBook Pros
- Mac mini 2006 and 2007
And what danger does the installation in an equipment that is not the suitable entail? They can be diverse, hence caution must be crucial. From components that can stop working like the GPU, to specific functions such as Wi-Fi, without neglecting the possible loss of data or the complete computer crash.
How to install macOS Monterey on an unsupported Mac
To install Big Sur on unsupported Mac we must follow a series of steps that are not simple, although they are available to any type of user, since no external devices are needed.
Step 1: partition the hard drive
To install macOS Monterey on an unsupported Mac we must do it on a disk partition and from macOS BigSur. In this way, if something goes wrong, we can always continue using our Mac as usual and with the version it had.
To make a partition follow these steps:
- Click on the magnifying glass and look for the Disk Utility app.
- Up click on “Create partition“.
- Choose the size of this partition, recommended at least 50 GB.
- Make sure to choose the APFS format.
- Click on “Apply” and in “To accept“.
Step 2: Download the macOS Monterey file
When you verify that your Mac is updated to the latest official version available, you can proceed to download macOS Moneterey. The first step will be download a copy of the update via a command to paste it into the Terminal program. When you open it, paste the command that is in the following link and enter your Mac user’s password when it appears “Password“Then the download will begin.
A list of several versions of macOS appears, apart from Monterey. Look for the one that interests you and enter the list number in the command that belongs to that version. In the example, it is 17. The system will begin to download, a process that will take a few minutes as it is a very large file.
When it finishes, look for the installation in the folder indicated by the program, which is usually “User / your user / macos-installer”. You can now continue with the next step, but it is important that you leave Terminal open without deleting anything that has been generated, because you will need it for later.
Step 3: Prepare the USB with the installer
The next step is to use a USB flash drive to patch the update. You need a device that is completely empty of files and has a 16GB minimum storage. When you insert it into your computer, you will have to format it. To do this, use the Finder to search for “Disk Utilities“.
Select the pendrive and press “Delete“in its menu, although before that you must give the device a name, choose”macOS Plus (with registry)“and the scheme GUID partition maps. Back in the folder where the update has been installed, you should find a dmg file. Open it and a macOS installer will appear.
Click on “Show folder“when you right-click on the install icon, where multiple folders are displayed. From”Contents“, you have to select”Resources“and then find the file”createinstallmedia“When you have it located, it is time to go back to Terminal to enter more commands.
On a new line, write the word “sudo“followed by a blank space. The next thing will be to select the file that we have indicated and drag it with the mouse towards Terminal. To this you must add the following tagline:”–volume / Volumes / pendrive name /“Type your password again and hit ‘Enter’.
When the process is finished, you will have a pendrive with the macOS Monterey installer, but without patching. That will be the next step to take.
Step 4: Install the patch
You will have to patch the pendrive with the installer through the OpenCore program, the most suitable for this version. To do this, access the following link to download OpenCore Legacy Patcher and open it on your Mac. When the first window appears, it is important to make sure that your PC is selected in the “” section.Mac model“within the patch settings. If you don’t know the identifier from your Mac, Apple has a list of names.
Once you have verified this, click on “Build and Install OpenCore“and select your pendrive. When the process is finished, the device will already be patched. Next, you have to turn off your Mac to restart it with the pendrive, although before making a copy of the patch on the same USB device so as not to lose it.
When you turn it off insert the pendrive and turn on your Mac pressing the key Option. After a few seconds, a menu will appear with various options. Choose “EFI Boot“(which is really the OpenCore patch) and click on the” icon.Install macOS Monterey“. After waiting a bit, a new boot menu will be displayed where you will have to click on” again.Install macOS Monterey“and select your pendrive.
From there, you have to wait for the installation to complete. Even if the display indicates that there is only one minute left for the system to boot, the installation process can take up to 10 hours.
Step 5: Patch macOS Monterey
When the process is finished, the welcome menu will appear, like every new version. After filling in all the data and arriving at the desktop, you must do one last thing to finish this long work. Reopen the OpenCore program from the pendrive and select this time the second option, called “Patch System Volume“.
At the end of this loading process, it remains to install OpenCore on the Mac system. Click on “Build and Install OpenCore“and select the disk on your computer. When it installs, you will have full access to macOS Monterey on your old Mac. At that point, you can remove the pendrive and restart the computer. If it boots without problems, it means that everything has been installed correctly.
Therefore, you have a very complete tutorial to update your old Mac, with all the necessary steps and images. Without leaving anything in the pipeline, leave us a comment if you have tried it to see how the installation process went.
Related topics: Mac
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