macOS 10.15 Catalina on Unsupported Macs

[jackluke]

Thanks so much! That worked great on my MP3,1 when updating from 10.15.0 to 10.15.2b4. For the next updates will the same procedure to be done each time?

Yes, same procedure will work, essentially my script automatizes the @Pinarek method, instead of manual editing the OTA .dist file, the script detects your current model identifier and replace it with a MacExample7,0 (that is equivalent to remove it from the unsupported list), and replaces a supported board-id with your automatically detected board-id (needed from the OTA install check prefix).

On the next update, I add also that you can run the script after 1% of downloading is done, because apple deliver almost immediately the XXX-XXXXX folder/file product id language.

 

[0134168]

I have Mac pro 5.1 to with update the wi-fi / BT card a Brodcom BCM94360CD with WI-Fi AC and BT 4.
Untile same time ago, with Mojave + Continuity Activation Tool and manual modifications to the SystemParameters.plist file, everything worked perfectly.
After upgrading to Catalina with macOS Catalina Patcher no works the unlocking after stop with Apple Watch (4).
With it I can unlock Notes, Panels and enter passes for other things but the Mac doesn't restart after the stop, I must insert the pass by hand. First with Mojave it worked.

Happens to everyone. Mac Pro 4.1 —> 5.1?

 

[Paolo-Sp]

I have original Mac Pro 5.1 with add Brodcom BCM94360CD and Radeon RX 850
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That finally sums up . @jackluke tsk. It seems another expense haha. The dead iMac seems to be asking for more. I rather just use Catalina without continuity /handoff feature. It isn't that important. As far as speed goes for a old machine I think the existing hardware should suffice. Tks mate for all help and inputs. 👍
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Could you tell me how much the card cost any link from where you got it? Can just inserting this card into existing wifi card slot will make it work or do I require to do more adjustments

See https://www.crystalidea.com/blog/classic-mac-pro-wifi-bluetooth-upgrade

 

[nekton1]

Easy peasy. xD
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7101-A is not a aimple bridge por Nvme modules. Not at all.

Yes, thanks, but I know that—it is actually an expensive ($300) card with its own PCI chip that produces Link speeds of 8 GT/s on the old MacPro PCIe Gen 1 bus. That's why I am using it! It worked fine with Mojave but Catalina has changed something. Never mind, the CCC option works.
http://www.highpoint-tech.com/USA_new/series-ssd7101a-1-overview.htm

 

[0134168]

Yes, thanks, but I know that—it is actually an expensive ($300) card with its own PCI chip that produces Link speeds of 8 GT/s on the old MacPro PCIe Gen 1 bus. That's why I am using it! It worked fine with Mojave but Catalina has changed something. Never mind, the CCC option works.
http://www.highpoint-tech.com/USA_new/series-ssd7101a-1-overview.htm

Yes, and I know all that too. Simply, I´m telling you why Installing may not work. I had one And I sold it.

 

[nekton1]

But you actually did not tell me that nor that installing may not work. You just said it is "not a aimple bridge por Nvme modules. ...", which was neither helpful nor informative.

Yes, and I know all that too. Simply, I´m telling you why Installing may not work. I had one And I sold it.

 

[0134168]

But you actually did not tell me that nor that installing may not work. You just said it is "not a aimple bridge por Nvme modules. ...", which was neither helpful nor informative.

Are you serious??? I just answered that you are wrong to your afirmation that Catalina cannot be installed on Pcie modules!

 

[timthomason]

i seem to be stuck @ mac osx 10.15.1, and am using the latest dosdude1 installer. it downloads mac osx 15.1 beta??
is there a diff. way of doing it now ??

 

[Macbookprodude]

there is a sse 4.2 limited emulator already released written by syncretic that lets the modern AMD GPU work in the Mac Pro 3,1. MouSSE.kext.

What abort the 2011 MacBook Pro ? My AMD GPU works great, no issues.

 

[zurika]

I have an early 2009 iMac with an Airport Extreme wifi card (pci14e4,43a0) and a Broadcom bluetooth 4.0 usb dongle.

Airdrop works well, however continuity sometimes fails when taking pictures or scanning documents.

The main problem is that personal hotspot doesn't work, it's not possible to connect to any hotspot.
It is also not possible to unlock with iwatch.

I appreciate any help to solve this problems.

output Terminal commands:

ioreg -l | grep "board-id" | awk '{print $4}'

<"Mac-F2218FC8">


ioreg -r -n ARPT | grep IOName

| "IOName" = "pci14e4,43a0"

system_profiler -detailLevel mini | grep "Card Type"


2019-12-06 19:33:00.815 system_profiler[763:19197] SystemInfo-AccessoryFW from dict - Teclado de zurika = 0x0141
2019-12-06 19:33:00.827 system_profiler[763:19197] SystemInfo-AccessoryFW from dict - Trackpad de System Administrator = 0x0160
2019-12-06 19:33:00.835 system_profiler[763:19197] SystemInfo-AccessoryFW - iPad Zurika: no firmware version info available
2019-12-06 19:33:00.835 system_profiler[763:19197] SystemInfo-AccessoryFW - iMac de Iker: no firmware version info available
2019-12-06 19:33:00.835 system_profiler[763:19197] SystemInfo-AccessoryFW - iPhone de Iker: no firmware version info available
2019-12-06 19:33:00.836 system_profiler[763:19197] SystemInfo-AccessoryFW - Apple Watch de Iker: no firmware version info available
2019-12-06 19:33:00.836 system_profiler[763:19197] SystemInfo-AccessoryFW - Iker: no firmware version info available
Card Type: AirPort Extreme (0x14E4, 0x135)


system_profiler -detailLevel basic | grep "Model Identifier"

2019-12-06 19:34:13.194 system_profiler[800:20177] SystemInfo-AccessoryFW from dict - Teclado de zurika = 0x0141
2019-12-06 19:34:13.203 system_profiler[800:20177] SystemInfo-AccessoryFW from dict - Trackpad de System Administrator = 0x0160
2019-12-06 19:34:13.211 system_profiler[800:20177] SystemInfo-AccessoryFW - iPhone de Iker: no firmware version info available
2019-12-06 19:34:13.211 system_profiler[800:20177] SystemInfo-AccessoryFW - Apple Watch de Iker: no firmware version info available
2019-12-06 19:34:13.211 system_profiler[800:20177] SystemInfo-AccessoryFW - iPad Zurika: no firmware version info available
2019-12-06 19:34:13.211 system_profiler[800:20177] SystemInfo-AccessoryFW - iMac de Iker: no firmware version info available
2019-12-06 19:34:13.211 system_profiler[800:20177] SystemInfo-AccessoryFW - Iker: no firmware version info available
Model Identifier: iMac9,1

 

[jackluke]

i seem to be stuck @ mac osx 10.15.1, and am using the latest dosdude1 installer. it downloads mac osx 15.1 beta??
is there a diff. way of doing it now ??

You should enroll in a free public beta access with your apple id: https://beta.apple.com/sp/betaprogram/

Or apply some sucatalog script patch as this for example: https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...lina-and-mojave-no-apple-id-required.2187881/
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I have an early 2009 iMac with an Airport Extreme wifi card (pci14e4,43a0) and a Broadcom bluetooth 4.0 usb dongle.

Airdrop works well, however continuity sometimes fails when taking pictures or scanning documents.

The main problem is that personal hotspot doesn't work, it's not possible to connect to any hotspot.
It is also not possible to unlock with iwatch.

I appreciate any help to solve this problems.

output Terminal commands:

ioreg -l | grep "board-id" | awk '{print $4}'

<"Mac-F2218FC8">


ioreg -r -n ARPT | grep IOName

| "IOName" = "pci14e4,43a0"

system_profiler -detailLevel mini | grep "Card Type"


2019-12-06 19:33:00.815 system_profiler[763:19197] SystemInfo-AccessoryFW from dict - Teclado de zurika = 0x0141
2019-12-06 19:33:00.827 system_profiler[763:19197] SystemInfo-AccessoryFW from dict - Trackpad de System Administrator = 0x0160
2019-12-06 19:33:00.835 system_profiler[763:19197] SystemInfo-AccessoryFW - iPad Zurika: no firmware version info available
2019-12-06 19:33:00.835 system_profiler[763:19197] SystemInfo-AccessoryFW - iMac de Iker: no firmware version info available
2019-12-06 19:33:00.835 system_profiler[763:19197] SystemInfo-AccessoryFW - iPhone de Iker: no firmware version info available
2019-12-06 19:33:00.836 system_profiler[763:19197] SystemInfo-AccessoryFW - Apple Watch de Iker: no firmware version info available
2019-12-06 19:33:00.836 system_profiler[763:19197] SystemInfo-AccessoryFW - Iker: no firmware version info available
Card Type: AirPort Extreme (0x14E4, 0x135)


system_profiler -detailLevel basic | grep "Model Identifier"

2019-12-06 19:34:13.194 system_profiler[800:20177] SystemInfo-AccessoryFW from dict - Teclado de zurika = 0x0141
2019-12-06 19:34:13.203 system_profiler[800:20177] SystemInfo-AccessoryFW from dict - Trackpad de System Administrator = 0x0160
2019-12-06 19:34:13.211 system_profiler[800:20177] SystemInfo-AccessoryFW - iPhone de Iker: no firmware version info available
2019-12-06 19:34:13.211 system_profiler[800:20177] SystemInfo-AccessoryFW - Apple Watch de Iker: no firmware version info available
2019-12-06 19:34:13.211 system_profiler[800:20177] SystemInfo-AccessoryFW - iPad Zurika: no firmware version info available
2019-12-06 19:34:13.211 system_profiler[800:20177] SystemInfo-AccessoryFW - iMac de Iker: no firmware version info available
2019-12-06 19:34:13.211 system_profiler[800:20177] SystemInfo-AccessoryFW - Iker: no firmware version info available
Model Identifier: iMac9,1

View attachment 881499

View attachment 881500

View attachment 881501

You have "0x14E4, 0x135" that is a Catalina supported Broadcom Wifi 802.11ac , and Bluetooth 4.0 usb dongle is correctly detected, I'd advise to use the stock Catalina IO80211Family*.kext without any Wifi Patches, and also check if from Catalina Terminal: open /System/Library/Frameworks/IOBluetooth.framework/Versions/A/Resources/

open with any plain text editor the SystemParameters.plist and search inside for your Mac-F2218FC8

that the Continuity Support is <true/>

<key>Mac-F2218FC8</key>
    <dict>
        <key>ContinuitySupport</key>
        <false/>
        <key>DID ProductCode</key>
        <integer>18953</integer>
    </dict>

also check that in System Preferences / General the "Allow Handoff between" is selected.

If still not work, try to sign-out and sign-in again from System Preferences / iCloud prefpane.

Moreover if you are using a third party Bluetooth 4.0 usb dongle try this patched file that should fix those continuity unstable features: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/macos-10-15-catalina-on-unsupported-macs.2183772/post-28016436

 

[techguy82]

Hi. The update went well (Macbook Pro Mid 2009) but I'm experiencing an iCloud Photos problem. I turned on loading all originals to my Macbook but all photos I'm adding either via icloud.com or via my iPhone are just being loaded as a blurry preview. After clicking a picture to view full size it is loading the picture completely. I think I already tried everything from turning off iCloud and loading the entire library again (which surprisingly worked) and rebuilding the library. Maybe anyone else experiencing these problems? Is it a specific problem only I'm having or is it related to the patch? Thanks in advance for helping me!

PS: I can also trigger the download of the full size image by selecting the images and starting a slideshow or exporting originals. Also on other devices edited items are not automatically being downloaded full size. Only the preview image updates.

 

[TimothyR734]

i seem to be stuck @ mac osx 10.15.1, and am using the latest dosdude1 installer. it downloads mac osx 15.1 beta??
is there a diff. way of doing it now ??

see post#6940

 

[DovF]

is it possible to boot unsupported mac in safe mode? Cause after hearing first chime sound I click to shift button but after APFS log I got prohibited sign.

Did you ever find an answer to this? I just installed that patch on my mac 2009 and it seems to be working fine. I just can't boot into safe mode. Do I hold the shift key as soon as I start the mac or after the patch finishes running? Does it make a difference?

Dov

 

[joevt]

Not exactly, apple in their IOBluetooth framework's SystemParameters.plist use only this xml tag

<true/> or <false/> there is no </something> or <something> tag to open the boolean.

I was describing a possible cause of the error. I said that he might have <true> </true> in his file if he edited it manually. That is not the correct way to set a boolean key as you explained.

I have attached the plist file.

I ran the following command:

plutil ~/Downloads/SystemParameters.plist
~/Downloads/SystemParameters.plist: Encountered non-empty <true> on line 604

Looking at the file's line 604, I see this:

        <true>

It should be changed to this:

        <true/>

 

[Dilli]

I was describing a possible cause of the error. I said that he might have <true> </true> in his file if he edited it manually. That is not the correct way to set a boolean key as you explained.

I ran the following command:

plutil ~/Downloads/SystemParameters.plist
~/Downloads/SystemParameters.plist: Encountered non-empty <true> on line 604

Looking at the file's line 604, I see this:

        <true>

It should be changed to this:

        <true/>

Okay I added the slash "/" after "true" which was missing and got no errors out of the terminal command. However, like @jackluke said I don't have the BT4.0 on the iMac as of now so I don't see any hands-off toggle in the preference settings. I will buy a cheap use 4.0 dongle to test it out by following full instructions by @jackluke on post #7029

Thanks to all for your valuable contributions. 👍

 

[dendkmac]

Have not had a chance to update to Catalina until now, on my MBP late 2009...thanks to the dedicated folks in this forum, amazing work.

 

[jackluke]

Did you ever find an answer to this? I just installed that patch on my mac 2009 and it seems to be working fine. I just can't boot into safe mode. Do I hold the shift key as soon as I start the mac or after the patch finishes running? Does it make a difference?

Dov

For "APFS safe mode" I usually typed this from a Terminal: sudo nvram boot-args="-no_compat_check -x"
(source: https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT201262)

but also this method worked: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/macos-10-15-catalina-on-unsupported-macs.2183772/post-27876807

on that @jowaju method I wrote a little script to autofix the APFS safe mode (holding ⇧ Shift key after power-on chime for about 15 seconds) valid for HighSierra, Mojave and Catalina APFS installations.

Note: safe mode is useful in case of troubleshooting because it ignores invalid patches, prelinkedkernel, LaunchAgents, third party kext typically in /Library/Extensions/ and also some Library settings, but graphically is very slow.

 

[Dilli]

@jackluke have ordered this dongle hope it will work

 

[timthomason]

You should enroll in a free public beta access with your apple id: https://beta.apple.com/sp/betaprogram/

Or apply some sucatalog script patch as this for example: https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...lina-and-mojave-no-apple-id-required.2187881/
[automerge]1575823189[/automerge]


You have "0x14E4, 0x135" that is a Catalina supported Broadcom Wifi 802.11ac , and Bluetooth 4.0 usb dongle is correctly detected, I'd advise to use the stock Catalina IO80211Family*.kext without any Wifi Patches, and also check if from Catalina Terminal: open /System/Library/Frameworks/IOBluetooth.framework/Versions/A/Resources/

open with any plain text editor the SystemParameters.plist and search inside for your Mac-F2218FC8

that the Continuity Support is <true/>

<key>Mac-F2218FC8</key>
    <dict>
        <key>ContinuitySupport</key>
        <false/>
        <key>DID ProductCode</key>
        <integer>18953</integer>
    </dict>

also check that in System Preferences / General the "Allow Handoff between" is selected.

If still not work, try to sign-out and sign-in again from System Preferences / iCloud prefpane.

Moreover if you are using a third party Bluetooth 4.0 usb dongle try this patched file that should fix those continuity unstable features: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/macos-10-15-catalina-on-unsupported-macs.2183772/post-28016436

i am enrolled in the beta program.. thxs for the info on the patch script.

 

[jackluke]

@jackluke have ordered this dongle hope it will work

View attachment 881625

The dongle will work on Catalina as a sender/receiver for any BT 4.0 BLE device (example the latest AirPods Pro, magic force touch trackpad 2 and so on) , but I can't guarantee that it will work as a continuity device because your iMac has a "Qualcomm Atheros Wifi card", from Catalina apple added AirDrop to continuity features (hence recent Broadcom Wifi cards), on Mojave it might work because AirDrop was a separate service.

 

[Dilli]

The dongle will work on Catalina as a sender/receiver for any BT 4.0 BLE device (example the latest AirPods Pro, magic force touch trackpad 2 and so on) , but I can't guarantee that it will work as a continuity device because your iMac has a "Qualcomm Atheros Wifi card", from Catalina apple added AirDrop to continuity features (hence recent Broadcom Wifi cards), on Mojave it might work because AirDrop was a separate service.

I finally got Catalina installed. All went smoothly. If I have to loose out to BT/wifi at the cost of Continuity/handsoff I will hold on for sometime as it would be by ordering a Broadcom wifi/bt combo card then wiring an adapter to a 3 volts usb circuit etc. which I would avoid for the time being.

But If I use your cmd for activating airdrop will it work . I will just try it though.

Could you make me a patch for my machine iMac 12,2 Board Id is Mac-942B59F58194171B for Airdrop.
So much of copy pasting I lost some files and feel confused. Tks

Update: I tried copying legacy Airdropinfoview file & even dropped whole contest of Mojave.zip folder in the location you posted on your post. After reboot I don't see any Airdrop on side bar.

 

[jackluke]

I finally got Catalina installed. All went smoothly. If I have to loose out to BT/wifi at the cost of Continuity/handsoff I will hold on for sometime as it would be by ordering a Broadcom wifi/bt combo card then wiring an adapter to a 3 volts usb circuit etc. which I would avoid for the time being.

But If I use your cmd for activating airdrop will it work . I will just try it though.

Could you make me a patch for my machine iMac 12,2 Board Id is Mac-942B59F58194171B for Airdrop.
So much of copy pasting I lost some files and feel confused. Tks

Update: I tried copying legacy Airdropinfoview file & even dropped whole contest of Mojave.zip folder in the location you posted on your post. After reboot I don't see any Airdrop on side bar.

On Catalina no AirDrop patch for "Qualcomm Atheros Wifi card 0x168C series", but only for Broadcom 0x14E4 , 0x9* or higher series.

 

[Dilli]

Oh ! So airdrop,continuity and hands off is now demanding new hardware for Catalina to work on imac 12,2.
Okay so that clears all my doubts. Tks @jackluke. 🤝

 

[Michael Mrak]

This might have been discussed here but I can not find it.

I am running Mojave 10.15.0 on a Mac Mini 3,1 with the latest patcher installed. Everything works great so far, even the night mode is now fully working. 🤗

Whats is the correct way to update to Mojave 10.15.1 (or later versions in the future)? Can You please advice?