macOS 10.15 Catalina on Unsupported Macs

[Larsvonhier]

So I updated an old 2008 MacBook to Catalina using dosdude1's patch several months ago. It's on 10.15.6. But I've noticed that under Software Update, it never offers 10.15.7 as an update option, much less the recent supplemental update patches. I can't find anything on his site addressing this, but am I supposed to go download the standalone update file for future point upgrades or is there a setting I'm missing that would allow it to pull them like normal under Software Update?

Yes, you missed the frequently mentioned (sic!) CatalinaOTAswufix.app that you ought to run in order to get all the latest updates, including supplemental and security updates, right now up to build 19H1009 of 10.15.7
It´s a two-step procedure but you will be guided by the fine piece of software.
APFS boot capability should be patched prior to this, at best with dosdude1´s APFS ROM patcher.

 

[TitanTiger]

Yes, you missed the frequently mentioned (sic!) CatalinaOTAswufix.app that you ought to run in order to get all the latest updates, including supplemental and security updates, right now up to build 19H1009 of 10.15.7
It´s a two-step procedure but you will be guided by the fine piece of software.
APFS boot capability should be patched prior to this, at best with dosdude1´s APFS ROM patcher.

There are almost 550 pages to this thread. Could you point me to a post or reprint here how to go about this?

 

[K two]

There are almost 550 pages to this thread. Could you point me to a post or reprint here how to go about this?

There are almost 550 pages to this thread. Could you point me to a post or reprint here how to go about this? Start around p.521 for a blow-by-blow.

That's a very early MCP79 Mac, you stand a fair chance of turning the MacBook into a recyclable using the APFS ROM Patcher unless you know how to find the EEPROM IC on the MBO to read the p/n? Otherwise you'll need these >go to attached below> two excellent @jackluke apps. The USBOpenCoreAPFSloader3.app can be installed on the smallest partition you can make on your @dosdude1 v1.4.4 USB. Both partitions will appear as separate items in the Finder and as bootable in the Start-up Manager via restart hold<option/alt>.

Instructions are built-in. Read them carefully.

 

[Grindhouse]

I have a noob question about the Catalina patch Does the patch make any changes on the Mac Pro 5.1 Hardware? (other then the HD). Cheers!

 

[K two]

I have a noob question about the Catalina patch Does the patch make any changes on the Mac Pro 5.1 Hardware? (other then the HD). Cheers!

Nope.

 

[wire_]

@TitanTiger:

The basic gist is to search for CatalinaOTAswufix.app, as provided by K too a couple posts ago, so that you can get updates to appear in SW Update. The SW update fix has two steps (buttons):

Step-1 to get updates to appear, which can be confusing because this includes a Catalina Beta channel, so you need to consider what update you want.

Step-2 gets the SW update to properly prep an update installer partition that will boot to complete the update. If your Mac can boot APFS partitions, this will happen automatically.

If your old Mac firmware can't boot an APFS partition, you need a loader that it can boot. OpenCore is a new generation of 3rd party boot loader that can start the update installer. Search for USBOpenCoreAPFSloader3.app, to add an OpenCore loader to a USB drive. The app offers you the choice to add the loader alongside an existing partition, such as one that contains the DosDude installer/patcher, so you have both together for future needs.

By searching for the above apps, you will come across all the posts needed to succeed.

Pitfalls:

• After SW update fix step-1, it's a bit of a mystery about when the desired update will appear. Consider your goals and don't just try to install anything that appears in the list. If it says Beta update is available, that might not be — or it might be — what you want. Also, after update completes, stuff might appear in list then disappear. So some patience is needed.
• The SW Update fix step-2 needs to be applied at a specific phase of the SW update process: in the middle of an update d/l. This means clearing /LibraryUpdates, finding the desired update in SW Update pref-pane, starting the d/l then canceling the d/l mid-way, applying SW update fix step-2, then restarting the update. If these don't happen in the right way, you might not get a bootable update partition. After step-2, you request the update, wait for it prep the update partition (shutdown progress bar) then when boot chime happens, be able to Option key to bring up OpenCore loader and use its menu to choose "macOS Install" (Or whatever a future update may be called in list). Once the updater has booted and run, you Option-boot again to reapply DosDude post-install.
• If using OpenCore to kick-off the update installer, you need to know the name update installer partition (for example "macOS Install"). There might be various items in the OpenCore boot menu with vague names.
• You may need to reset Software Update settings in the pref-pane to get it work as needed. This can be done using Advanced button and the "Details" link under the Gear in the SW update pref-pane, which may not always appear, which is also a bit of a mystery.
• Your chosen flash drive for the OpenCore boot loader might not work for mysterious reasons. This happened to me with and old 8GB Lexar I could never make work.
• If you find yourself waiting through an install progress-bar then back at the same release as you started from, steps need to be retraced.
• You may have to repeat the process for future updates, if any.

/wire

 

[K two]

@TitanTiger:

The basic gist is to search for CatalinaOTAswufix.app, as provided by K too a couple posts ago, so that you can get updates to appear in SW Update. The SW update fix has two steps, one to get updates to appear, which can be confusing because this includes a Catalina Beta channel which you likely don't want, and the second to get the SW update to properly prep a partition that OpenCore will help you boot (if needed by your Mac) to complete the update.

If your old Mac firmware can't see an APFS partition, you need OpenCore, which is a new generation of 3rd party boot loader — search for USBOpenCoreAPFSloader3.app, which you can use to add an APFS-capable bootloader to a drive along with DosDude installer/patcher — so you can see and boot the update installer.

By searching for the above apps, you will come across all the posts needed to succeed.

Pitfalls are:

• The SW Update fix part-2 needs to be applied at a specific phase of the SW update process: in the middle of an update d/l which means clearing /LibraryUpdates, finding the desire update in SW Update pref-pane, starting the d/l then stopping the d/l mid-way, applying SW update fix part-2, then restarting the update. If these don't happen in the right way, you won't get a bootable update partition.
  
  Edit: it's a bit of a mystery about when the desired update will appear after the fix. Don't just try to install anything that appears in the list. If it says Beta that might not be what you want. Also, after update, stuff might appear in list then disappear. So some patience is needed
  
  Edit: If you find yourself waiting through an install then back at same release as you started, then steps need to be retraced.
• You need to know the name of the update installer partition ("macOS Install") so you can differentiate it from all the other partitions you might have laying around
  
  Edit: Basically, after fix part-2, you request the update, wait for it prep the update partition (shutodwn progress bar) then when boot chime happens, be able to Option key to bring up OpenCore loader, and use its menu to choose "macOS Install" (Or whatever a future update may be called in list). Once the updater has bootted and run, you will reapply DosDude post-install.
• You may need to reset Software update settings in the pref-pane to get it work as needed. This can be done using Advanced button and the "Details" link under the Gear in the SW update pref-pane, which may not always appear.
• Your chosen flash drive for OpenCore boot loader might not work for mysterious reasons. This happened to me with and old 8GB Lexar, I could never make work.
• You may have to repeat the process for future updates, if any.

/wire

The Beta channel has produced very stable and reliable updates, consistently. Build 19H1009 runs fine as reported by many.

 

[TitanTiger]

@TitanTiger:

The basic gist is to search for CatalinaOTAswufix.app, as provided by K too a couple posts ago, so that you can get updates to appear in SW Update. The SW update fix has two steps, one to get updates to appear, which can be confusing because this includes a Catalina Beta channel which you likely don't want, and the second to get the SW update to properly prep a partition that OpenCore will help you boot (if needed by your Mac) to complete the update.

If your old Mac firmware can't see an APFS partition, you need OpenCore, which is a new generation of 3rd party boot loader — search for USBOpenCoreAPFSloader3.app, which you can use to add an APFS-capable bootloader to a drive along with DosDude installer/patcher — so you can see and boot the update installer.

By searching for the above apps, you will come across all the posts needed to succeed.

Pitfalls are:

• The SW Update fix part-2 needs to be applied at a specific phase of the SW update process: in the middle of an update d/l which means clearing /LibraryUpdates, finding the desire update in SW Update pref-pane, starting the d/l then stopping the d/l mid-way, applying SW update fix part-2, then restarting the update. If these don't happen in the right way, you won't get a bootable update partition.
  
  Edit: it's a bit of a mystery about when the desired update will appear after the fix. Don't just try to install anything that appears in the list. If it says Beta that might not be what you want. Also, after update, stuff might appear in list then disappear. So some patience is needed
  
  Edit: If you find yourself waiting through an install then back at same release as you started, then steps need to be retraced.
• You need to know the name of the update installer partition ("macOS Install") so you can differentiate it from all the other partitions you might have laying around
  
  Edit: Basically, after fix part-2, you request the update, wait for it prep the update partition (shutodwn progress bar) then when boot chime happens, be able to Option key to bring up OpenCore loader, and use its menu to choose "macOS Install" (Or whatever a future update may be called in list). Once the updater has bootted and run, you will reapply DosDude post-install.
• You may need to reset Software update settings in the pref-pane to get it work as needed. This can be done using Advanced button and the "Details" link under the Gear in the SW update pref-pane, which may not always appear.
• Your chosen flash drive for OpenCore boot loader might not work for mysterious reasons. This happened to me with and old 8GB Lexar, I could never make work.
• You may have to repeat the process for future updates, if any.

/wire

Thanks for all of that. Can I ask a dumb question?

What happens if I just go to Apple's site and download and manually install the 10.15.7 combo update? Does that wreck everything I already did with dosdude1's stuff to get this thing on 10.15.6?

 

[wire_]

Thanks for all of that. Can I ask a dumb question?

What happens if I just go to Apple's site and download and manually install the 10.15.7 combo update? Does that wreck everything I already did with dosdude1's stuff to get this thing on 10.15.6?

You can always reapply patches.

The combo updaters don't include supplemental and security updates for the minor version, e.g. ".7" They are the point-in-time of the first production release of the minor.

There are options for getting the latest full installer using other tools from this community, documented in previous posts. Of course, DosDude patcher has always been able to pull down a late build, and there's also another tool — I forget name which goes one more step. But historically there are always release increments beyond any full installer point-in-time, which brings you around to the SW Update fix.

 

[hvds]

Successfully updated my MP3,1 to 19H524 just a few moments ago. Took about 20 minutes, including running post-install patches.
View attachment 1728029

Updated my MBP5,2 to 19H524.
OTA from H512. Like in post #13,564 but to internal SSD this time, so there was no need for the OC step.

 

[roysterdoyster]

I need help to update my MBP4,1 Early 2008 17-inch from MacOS 10.15.7 (19H15) to the latest build.

Would someone be so kind to post a step-by-step instruction or point me to the post# in this thread, where it might already be explained? I am not that savvy but can follow step-by-step.

Thanks very much in advance

 

[K two]

I need help to update my MBP4,1 Early 2008 17-inch from MacOS 10.15.7 (19H15) to the latest build.

Would someone be so kind to post a step-by-step instruction or point me to the post# in this thread, where it might already be explained? I am not that savvy but can follow step-by-step.

Thanks very much in advance

Read all of #13,628 because it applies to your Mac. D/L the two apps and follow the built-in instructions, carefully. enjoy 19H1009

 

[Kostaban]

Full Catalina 10.15.7, build 19H15, installer 15.7.03 is now up. Just downloaded it using-
gibMacOS-Master folder on GitHub

Thank you for the recommendation!

 

[jacksbikes]

Relative novice at MacOS hacks here.

I’ve been running Catalina Patcher 10.15.7 for a couple of months without issue [late-2009 21.5” iMac 10,1, 500GB SSD, 8 GB RAM] and decided to attempt to use the CatalinaOTAswufix.app to update with the latest Supplemental Updates. Didn’t work and I’m stuck.

Something glitched while I attempted to install the update patches from my original Catalina Patcher USB; I had it stuck in the USB slot throughout. Among other things: programs won't open, my bluetooth mouse is not working, Spotlight doesn’t open System Preferences, Bluetooth or Security to give permission to run the PatchInstaller, and the Apple menu is a light gray.

Restarting — and restarting while holding each of Cmd-R, opt-cmd-R , cmd-opt-P-R, shift, C — only boots off the internal SSD and gets me to and past my login screen followed by “ ‘Patchupdaterd’ cannot be opened because the developer cannot be verified“ even though the Patcher USB is not inserted.

How can I get to a reboot either from Recovery so I can re-install from my recent Time Machine backup or reboot from my external HD which has the original High Sierra so I can start over ?

 

[amstel78]

Relative novice at MacOS hacks here.

I’ve been running Catalina Patcher 10.15.7 for a couple of months without issue [late-2009 21.5” iMac 10,1, 500GB SSD, 8 GB RAM] and decided to attempt to use the CatalinaOTAswufix.app to update with the latest Supplemental Updates. Didn’t work and I’m stuck.

Something glitched while I attempted to install the update patches from my original Catalina Patcher USB; I had it stuck in the USB slot throughout. Among other things: programs won't open, my bluetooth mouse is not working, Spotlight doesn’t open System Preferences, Bluetooth or Security to give permission to run the PatchInstaller, and the Apple menu is a light gray.

Restarting — and restarting while holding each of Cmd-R, opt-cmd-R , cmd-opt-P-R, shift, C — only boots off the internal SSD and gets me to and past my login screen followed by “ ‘Patchupdaterd’ cannot be opened because the developer cannot be verified“ even though the Patcher USB is not inserted.

How can I get to a reboot either from Recovery so I can re-install from my recent Time Machine backup or reboot from my external HD which has the original High Sierra so I can start over ?

Boot from the DosDude Catalina installer and run the post-install patches again. Make sure you force a cache rebuild otherwise the patches may not hold.

 

[jacksbikes]

Boot from the DosDude Catalina installer and run the post-install patches again. Make sure you force a cache rebuild otherwise the patches may not hold.

I've just tried several options of holding down the Command key (and every other nearby key, just for fun) while restarting/starting to get to choosing a different startup disk, but Mac boots from internal SSD everytime.

 

[Ausdauersportler]

So I updated an old 2008 MacBook to Catalina using dosdude1's patch several months ago. It's on 10.15.6. But I've noticed that under Software Update, it never offers 10.15.7 as an update option, much less the recent supplemental update patches. I can't find anything on his site addressing this, but am I supposed to go download the standalone update file for future point upgrades or is there a setting I'm missing that would allow it to pull them like normal under Software Update?

Updates never came through Software Update with unsupported systems. This is one of the things which defines "unsupported". Apple blocks you from installing an unpatched macOS installer and it blocks your Mac from getting updates.

But you may just read the last few pages back about some add ones to get it done. Unfortunately there will be now single push button solution (unless you are willing to some spend time on OpenCore and make a Hackintosh out of your Macintosh)

 

[Ausdauersportler]

I've just tried several options of holding down the Command key (and every other nearby key, just for fun) while restarting/starting to get to choosing a different startup disk, but Mac boots from internal SSD everytime.

tried the alt/option key? from the very beginning while pressing the power button.

 

[Ausdauersportler]

There are almost 550 pages to this thread. Could you point me to a post or reprint here how to go about this?

BTW: There is a search button on top of the page. The internet has billion of pages, how did your find your way to this thread

 

[jacksbikes]

tried the alt/option key? from the very beginning while pressing the power button.

Yes, again just now a couple of times. Still takes me to login screen off of internal SSD

 

[amstel78]

Yes, again just now a couple of times. Still takes me to login screen off of internal SSD

You using a wireless keyboard by any chance? Or, are you using a keyboard plugged into a 3rd party PCIe card? If so, plug it into a factory USB port. If wireless, grab a wired keyboard.

 

[jacksbikes]

You using a wireless keyboard by any chance? Or, are you using a keyboard plugged into a 3rd party PCIe card? If so, plug it into a factory USB port. If wireless, grab a wired keyboard.

(don't know what a 3rd party PCIe card is!!) Macally XKEYLED wired keyboard, plugged into USB on back of imac. Command key works (at least when I type my password on the login screen, then cmd-A, cmd-C and it looks like it copies all)

 

[amstel78]

(don't know what a 3rd party PCIe card is!!) Macally XKEYLED wired keyboard, plugged into USB on back of imac. Command key works (at least when I type my password on the login screen, then cmd-A, cmd-C and it looks like it copies all)

Ok. I asked because some Macs (like my Mac Pro) allow the user to install a third party USB 3.0 card. The drivers aren't loaded until Mac OS actually starts up so keyboards plugged into those ports won't work until you see the login screen.

I didn't realize you were using an iMac though, so it's a moot point. Back to your issue though, are you sure you're holding down the ALT key as soon as the boot chime is heard?

 

[jacksbikes]

Ok. I asked because some Macs (like my Mac Pro) allow the user to install a third party USB 3.0 card. The drivers aren't loaded until Mac OS actually starts up so keyboards plugged into those ports won't work until you see the login screen.

I didn't realize you were using an iMac though, so it's a moot point. Back to your issue though, are you sure you're holding down the ALT key as soon as the boot chime is heard?

thanks for sticking with me! just tried several permutations again, including holding down as soon as I hear the chime. I've done that, hold before, hold and release, hold all the way thru, waiting for the apple -- trying with both the command and the option key (individually). All end up at my login screen.

 

[trifero]

thanks for sticking with me! just tried several permutations again, including holding down as soon as I hear the chime. I've done that, hold before, hold and release, hold all the way thru, waiting for the apple -- trying with both the command and the option key (individually). All end up at my login screen.

Just plugin the USB installer, and choose it as boot drive in the System Preferences.