macOS 10.14 Mojave on Unsupported Macs Thread

[dosdude1]

macOS 10.14 Mojave on Unsupported Macs​

Machine Support​

Spoiler: Early-2008 or newer Mac Pro, iMac, or MacBook Pro

MacPro3,1​

MacPro4,1​

iMac8,1​

iMac9,1​

iMac10,x​

iMac11,x (systems with AMD Radeon HD 5xxx and 6xxx series GPUs will be almost unusable when running Mojave. More details are located in the Current Issues section below.)​

iMac12,x (systems with AMD Radeon HD 5xxx and 6xxx series GPUs will be almost unusable when running Mojave. More details are located in the Current Issues section below.)​

MacBookPro4,1​

MacBookPro5,x​

MacBookPro6,x​

MacBookPro7,1​

MacBookPro8,x​

Spoiler: Late-2008 or newer MacBook Air or Aluminum Unibody MacBook

MacBookAir2,1​

MacBookAir3,x​

MacBookAir4,x​

MacBook5,1​

Spoiler: Early-2009 or newer Mac Mini or white MacBook

Macmini3,1​

Macmini4,1​

Macmini5,x​

MacBook5,2​

MacBook6,1​

MacBook7,1​

Spoiler: Early-2008 or newer Xserve

Xserve2,1​

Xserve3,1​

Video Card Support​

Pre-Metal AMD video cards (Radeon HD 6xxx series and older without acceleration, Radeon HD 4xxx series and older with acceleration.)
Pre-Metal Nvidia video cards (GeForce 5xx series and older, i.e. 8600M(GT)/8800M(GT), 9400M/9600M(GT), 320M/330M)
Pre-Metal Intel video cards (Intel HD Graphics 3000 and Intel HD Graphics Arrandale)

Installation​

To install on your machine, you can download and run @dosdude1's macOS Mojave Patcher application, which will let you download a copy of the latest installer app from Apple and create a bootable installer drive for use on unsupported Macs. It contains all the patches necessary to achieve the hardware support listed above. The installation guide can be found here and an installation guide video here.

macOS Patcher (discontinued)​

More advanced users may consider using macOS Patcher, which is a command line-based tool that provides the same hardware support, while also adding support for MacBook4,1 systems. Please note that this project is no longer supported by the developer.

APFS ROM Patcher​

Warning: This tool could irreversibly brick your EFI chip. Please exercise caution with machines that have multiple EEPROM definitions. Relevant information can be found here and here. The APFS ROM patcher can be found here. Use the password apfs to decrypt the ZIP.

Known Issues​

Spoiler: AMD Radeon HD 5xxx/6xxx Series Video Card Acceleration

Currently, it is not possible to get full graphics acceleration when running Mojave on a system with a Radeon HD 5xxx or 6xxx series video card. Mojave will be almost unusable without graphics acceleration. This includes the 15" and 17" MacBook Pro systems (MacBookPro8,2 and 8,3). If you want to enable GPU acceleration on these machines, you'll need to disable the AMD video card (This will work on MacBook Pro 8,2 and 8,3 systems ONLY. You CANNOT disable the AMD GPU in an iMac.) Weird colors will also be produced when running Mojave with one of these video cards installed/enabled. To disable the AMD GPU on a 2011 MacBook Pro 8,2 or 8,3, follow the guide found here.​

Spoiler: App Store Crashing

Some users have reported crashing upon opening the App Store. This is caused by App Store videos and can be worked around by disabling video autoplay and not viewing App Store videos. This is not a fix, this is a workaround. Safari may also experience crashes with certain kinds of embedded videos.​

Spoiler: Built-in iSight Cameras

Currently, built-in iSight cameras do not work correctly on some machines. It seems to be hit or miss, but when installing, expect your iSight camera to be non-functional.​

Spoiler: Trackpad (MacBook5,2 and 4,1 Only)

Trackpad multi-finger gestures on both machines not supported in Mojave. While the trackpad works and is fully usable, Mojave detects it as just a standard mouse, preventing you from changing some trackpad-oriented settings.​

Spoiler: MacBook4,1 Video Card Acceleration

The Intel GMA X3100 in the MB4,1 is not fully supported (framebuffer only, no acceleration). Mojave will be almost unusable without graphics acceleration.

Builds and Installer Versions​

2018/09/24 10.14.0 Final, build 18A391, installer 14.0.22
2018/10/30 10.14.1 Final, build 18B75, installer 14.1.0
2018/12/05 10.14.2 Final, build 18C54, installer 14.2.2
2019/01/21 10.14.3 Final, build 18D42, installer 14.3.2
2019/02/07 10.14.3 Supplemental, build 18D109, installer 14.3.3
2019/03/25 10.14.4 Final, build 18E226, installer 14.4.08
2019/03/25 10.14.4 Supplemental, build 18E2034, installer 14.4.10
2019/05/13 10.14.5 Final, build 18F132, installer 14.5.02
2019/07/22 10.14.6 Final, build 18G84, installer 14.6.02
2019/08/02 10.14.6 1st supplemental, build 18G87, installer 14.6.03
2019/08/27 10.14.6 2nd supplemental, build 18G95, installer 14.6.04
2019/09/26 10.14.6 3rd supplemental, build 18G103, installer 14.6.06
2019/10/30 10.14.6 Security Update 2019-001, build 18G1012
2019/12/10 10.14.6 Security Update 2019-002, build 18G2022
2020/01/28 10.14.6 Security Update 2020-001, build 18G3020
2020/03/24 10.14.6 Security Update 2020-002, build 18G4032
2020/05/26 10.14.6 Security Update 2020-003, build 18G5033
2020/07/15 10.14.6 Security Update 2020-004, build 18G6020
2020/09/24 10.14.6 Security Update 2020-005, build 18G6032
2020/11/12 10.14.6 Security Update 2020-006, build 18G6042
2020/12/16 10.14.6 Security Update 2020-007, build 18G7016
2021/02/01 10.14.6 Security Update 2021-001, build 18G8012
2021/02/09 10.14.6 Security Update 2021-002, build 18G8022

Spoiler: 10.14.0 beta versions

2018/06/04 DP1, build 18A293u, installer 14.0.08​

2018/06/19 DP2, build 18A314h, installer 14.0.11​

2018/06/26 PB1, build 18A314k, installer 14.0.11​

2018/07/03 DP3, build 18A326g, installer 14.0.12​

2018/07/06 PB2, build 18A326h, installer 14.0.12​

2018/07/16 DP4, 2018/07/17 PB3, build 18A336e, installer 14.0.14​

2018/07/30 DP5, 2018/07/31 PB4, build 18A347e, installer 14.0.15​

2018/08/06 DP6, 2018/08/06 PB5, build 18A353d, installer 14.0.16​

2018/08/13 DP7, 2018/08/13 PB6, build 18A365a, installer 14.0.17​

2018/08/20 DP8, 2018/08/20 PB7, build 18A371a, installer 14.0.18​

2018/08/27 DP9, 2018/08/27 PB8, build 18A377a, installer 14.0.20​

2018/09/04 DP10, 2018/09/04 PB9, build 18A384a, installer 14.0.21​

2018/09/12 DP11, 2018/09/12 PB10, build 18A389, installer 14.0.21​

Spoiler: 10.14.1 beta versions

2018/09/25 10.14.1 DP1, 2018/09/27 PB1, build 18B45d​

2018/10/02 10.14.1 DP2, 2018/10/02 PB2, build 18B50c​

2018/10/08 10.14.1 DP3, 2018/10/08 PB3, build 18B57c​

2018/10/17 10.14.1 DP4, 2018/10/17 PB4, build 18B67a​

2018/10/23 10.14.1 DP5, 2018/10/23 PB5, build 18B73a​

Spoiler: 10.14.2 beta versions

2018/10/31 10.14.2 DP1, 2018/11/02 PB1, build 18C31g​

2018/11/07 10.14.2 DP2, 2018/11/07 PB2, build 18C38b​

2018/11/16 10.14.2 DP3, 2018/11/16 PB3, build 18C48a​

2018/11/28 10.14.2 DP4, 2018/11/28 PB4, build 18C52a​

Spoiler: 10.14.3 beta versions

2018/12/10 10.14.3 DP1, 2018/12/11 PB1, build 18D21c​

2018/12/19 10.14.3 DP2, 2018/12/19 PB2, build 18D32a​

2019/01/07 10.14.3 DP3, 2019/01/07 PB3, build 18D38a​

2019/01/11 10.14.3 DP4, 2019/01/11 PB4, build 18D39a​

Spoiler: 10.14.4 beta versions

2019/01/24 10.14.4 DP1, 2019/01/28 PB1, build 18E174f​

2019/02/04 10.14.4 DP2, 2019/02/05 PB2, build 18E184e​

2019/02/18 10.14.4 DP3, 2019/02/19 PB3, build 18E194d​

2019/03/04 10.14.4 DP4, 2019/03/04 PB4, build 18E205e​

2019/03/11 10.14.4 DP5, 2019/03/11 PB5, build 18E215a​

2019/03/18 10.14.4 DP6, 2019/03/18 PB6, build 18E220a​

Spoiler: 10.14.5 beta versions

2019/03/28 10.14.5 DP1, build 18F96h​

2019/04/08 10.14.5 DP2, build 18F108f​

2019/04/22 10.14.5 DP3, build 18F118d​

2019/04/29 10.14.5 DP4, build 18F127a​

2019/05/07 10.14.5 DP5, build 18F131a​

Spoiler: 10.14.6 beta versions

2019/05/15 10.14.6 DP1, build 18G29g​

2019/06/11 10.14.6 DP2, build 18G48f​

2019/06/24 10.14.6 DP3, build 18G59b​

2019/07/09 10.14.6 DP4, build 18G71a​

2019/07/16 10.14.6 DP5, build 18G78a​

2019/10/14 10.14.6 Security Update 2019-001 beta 1, build 18G1005​

2019/10/17 10.14.6 Security Update 2019-001 beta 2, build 18G1007​

2019/10/24 10.14.6 Security Update 2019-001 beta 3, build 18G1011​

2019/11/07 10.14.6 Security Update 2019-002 beta 1, build 18G2007​

Credits​

@dosdude1 - Developed macOS Mojave Patcher, fixed 10.14.4 graphics acceleration, found CCFL backlight fix
@parrotgeek1 - Developed LegacyUSBInjector, developed SIPManager, developed NDRVShim, source, fixed legacy WiFi cards
@Czo - Developed SUVMMFaker, source
@ASentientBot - Fixed Nvidia kernel panic, Core 2 Duo kernel panic, and iSight
@jackluke - Narrowed down cause of Core 2 Duo kernel panic
@Larsvonhier - Fixed USB/input, graphics, WiFi, audio and backlight-off for MacBook4,1, and Siri crashes on 10.14.4/.5/.6
Julian Fairfax - Developed macOS Downloader, and macOS Patcher (Discontinued Projects)
@Minh_Ton - Fixed News+ crashes

Moderator Note
Please do not ask for, or provide help getting developers profile information to access unauthorised beta software on MacRumors. If you are not a developer, sign up to the Apple Beta Software Program to get the official public beta releases.

Spoiler: Other Platforms

Unsupported Macs Discord server

Spoiler: Other Threads

macOS Catalina (10.15)
macOS 10.15 Catalina on Unsupported Macs - @0403979

macOS Mojave (10.14)
macOS 10.14 Mojave on Unsupported Macs Thread - @dosdude1

macOS High Sierra (10.13)
macOS High Sierra (10.13) Unsupported Macs Thread - @foxlet

macOS Sierra (10.12)
MacOS 10.12 Sierra Unsupported Macs Thread - @redheeler

OS X El Capitan (10.11)
OS X El Capitan on Unsupported Macs - @TMRJIJ
2006/2007 Mac Pro (1,1/2,1) and El Capitan - @Mr. Zarniwoop

OS X Yosemite (10.10)
OS X Yosemite on Unsupported Macs - @TMRJIJ
2006/2007 Mac Pro (1,1/2,1) and OS X Yosemite - @Mr. Zarniwoop

OS X Mavericks (10.9)
[Guide] Installing 10.9 Mavericks on older Macs. - @Wayne_819
Mac Pro 2,1 and OS X Mavericks - @5050

OS X Mountain Lion (10.8)
Success! Install 10.8 on old unsupported Mac - @Wayne_819

 

[Gamer9430]

My 09 MB is ready for an update!

 

[Hack5190]

Count me in - the 3.1 needs a new challenge!

 

[MadDane]

Any news yet on which Macs are supported? I have been unable to find information about this.

 

[Gamer9430]

Any news yet on which Macs are supported? I have been unable to find information about this.

Nothing has been posted yet, on Apple Developer or their website...

 

[dosdude1]

As of yet, the systems officially supported in 10.14 are unknown, and the download is not yet available in my Dev portal. I will update the thread as updates are received.

 

[FlorisVN]

As of yet, the systems officially supported in 10.14 are unknown, and the download is not yet available in my Dev portal. I will update the thread as updates are received.

“macOS Mojave will be available this fall as a free software update for Macs introduced in mid-2012 or later, plus 2010 and 2012 Mac Pro models with recommended Metal-capable graphics cards.”
[doublepost=1528140511][/doublepost]unfortunately my core i7 late 2011 Macbook Pro is not supported anymore...

 

[Gamer9430]

Only metal compatible Macs are supported

 

[MakeAppleAwesomeAgain]

Wonder why they would drop support for the 2011 iMac.

 

[FlorisVN]

Wonder why they would drop support for the 2011 iMac.

too old, and no metal support

 

[liketom]

it up online - downloading iOS 12 and new Mac OS -

 

[iamMacPerson]

Now to find out what Metal cards are supported on the Mac Pros. 4,1 to 5,1 conversions should have no problem installing with a proper card. I'm assuming most AMD RX cards are fine, but what about nVidia?

 

[MLVC]

Not available in Dutch app store, ffs

 

[saudor]

Now to find out what Metal cards are supported on the Mac Pros. 4,1 to 5,1 conversions should have no problem installing with a proper card. I'm assuming most AMD RX cards are fine, but what about nVidia?

the 2012 are based on kelper so i imagine 600+

 

[Insleep]

Looks like only 2012 and later...

 

[EugW]

I guess I'll be needing your help for my 2010 iMac.

Not that I really care that much though, since I'm only using it as an external monitor these days, for my 2017 iMac.

 

[Czo]

It's seems to me, that most unsupported macs need an updated GPU. So, iMacs with upgraded GPU and Mac Pro's can be supported unofficially. But all of the available cards with MXM format are can't control the brightness of the iMac screen and can't show the boot screen.

 

[saudor]

This will be harder since it seems like the entire OS is metal based.. and emulating that kind of stuff in software makes for a crappy experience

 

[TMRJIJ]

Seems like the entire OS is on Metal so 2012 or newer officially.

 

[FlorisVN]

This will be harder since it seems like the entire OS is metal based.. and emulating that kind of stuff in software makes for a crappy experience

indeed, i think tools that dosdude1 created like macOS High Sierra Patcher Tool for Unsupported Macs wil maybay get a hard time on this one..
Metal hardware is possibly required, but we will see...

 

[EugW]

This will be harder since it seems like the entire OS is metal based.. and emulating that kind of stuff in software makes for a crappy experience

Yeah, I think I'm happy enough keeping my iMac11,3 & MacBook5,1 & MacBookPro5,5 on 10.13 High Sierra, since the OS supports the new image formats and APFS. And I expect we'll have modern browser support until 2022.

 

[redheeler]

Now it appears my Early 2011 17" MacBook Pro will be in need of a patch to run the latest version of MacOS. To add insult to injury, Apple no longer makes a comparable product worth buying (the 17" MacBook Pro was discontinued in 2012, and Apple has never introduced a 17" with Retina since).

 

[TMRJIJ]

This might be much harder to crack graphics wise. I spent way too much time trying to get OpenGL support on the older machines during the ML/MacPostFactor/macOS Extractor days and still couldn't get past the WindowServer crashes.

 

[FlorisVN]

I really hope iTunes will get updates for a long time on High Sierra, and of course internet browsers...

 

[redheeler]

I really hope iTunes will get updates for a long time on High Sierra, and of course internet browsers...

The update period is usually three years for Safari + general security updates and four years for iTunes (minus one year as High Sierra was released last fall). Third-party browsers such as Chrome are generally supported for twice as long as Safari.

So there's still some time to go before High Sierra is no longer viable, but missing out on features like dark mode on older Macs is seriously disappointing nonetheless. Dark mode should have been added years ago in my opinion.