macOS 11 Big Sur on Unsupported Macs Thread

[telepati]

We need more documentation on how kmutil (the new kextcache) macOS command works, I noticed from single user mode if mistype some argument for example: "kmutil create boot"

some additional shell manual popups, also typing "kextcache -i /" , apple message says "kextcache" is depreciated use kmutil to create a kext collection and they make an example with a long string containing /Library/Apple/System/Library/Prelinkedkernels/prelinkedkernel and --kernel /System/Library/Kernels/kernel

but this won't fit on a single user shell, because seems a too long string to type.

using kmutil -help
doesn't tell much just few arguments

the fact is until we don't figure out how to rebuild a kextcache or kernerlcollection from BigSur single user mode, can't make many attempts in patching the kext, because adding a wrong kext can easily make unbootable the system, I personally don't want to re-install because of a mismatched kernelcollection, it takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes on an SSD.

Touching SystemExtensitions

And Library extensions;

 

[hintzsche]

maybe i should try to remove the telemetry does someone know the terminal command for that?

 

[highvoltage12v]

What are the steps of installing this kext

First you need to unlock the system partition

spctl --master-disable
mount -uw /
killall Finder

then use something like Kext utility to place the kext in the correct spot, but note kext utility remains completely broken as all programs are,
then follow @ASentientBot steps here #173

anything else if you can't figure out, its too soon.

 

[h9826790]

WOW. This is amazing. Did you use a patcher to get Catalina on your machine? And how did you spoof the SMBIOS to think you had an iMac Pro 1,1? Is there a website/youtube video that has a more in depth guide on what you just showed?

1) install my OpenCore package

Activate AMD hardware acceleration

I created a new "easy to install package" as per many requested (based on the official OpenCore). [The attached package updated to 1.0.0] For those who only need HWAccel, post #594 has everything you need. This new package mainly offer HWAccel + boot screen. Also, this package should work in...

forums.macrumors.com

2) mod the config.plist to make your cMP ident as iMac Pro

OpenCore on the Mac Pro

—- Warning!!! This config may brick your Mac. Do NOT use it unless you know what you are doing. —- As a record. The following setting to simulate iMac Pro will cause black screen. [Update: fixed by using agdpmod=pikera] PlatformInfo Automatic Generic...

forums.macrumors.com

3) download, install, run Big Sur

P.S. Once Big Sur is running, you SHOULD revert the config.plist to make it ident as 5,1 again. If everyone use my sample code, all of you will have the same serial number. Which is a bad idea.

 

[ryanx30x]

I have working Wifi in a 2012 Mac mini with my kext, sound as well. Will verify the BCM94360 next with a 2015 MBA.

Late 2012 Mac Mini?

 

[pkouame]

@ASentientBot @jackluke @TimothyR734 @testheit @Larsvonhier @dosdude1 and many others... Glad to see the pros are still doing well and on the ball! Enjoying following this thread again. You are tenacious!

I lost access to my unsupported non-metal macs a while ago so I don't think will be able to make my (minor) contributions this time around. But more power to you all!

question: what are the current prospects of OpenGL compatibility/acceleration for non metal Macs with Big Sur (still not totally with it on the new name ughhh!) Looks like OpenGL backwards compatibility has been completely dropped this time!

 

[highvoltage12v]

Late 2012 Mac Mini?

Yes,
Which also means it will work on a 2012 MBP 2012/some 13 iMac's as well

 

[brandonsierra]

Don't appeal our Discord moderation decisions here.

where do I appeal then

 

[ryanx30x]

Yes,
Which also means it will work on a 2012 MBP.

I also have a late 2012 Mac Mini, and I was just wondering what all you did to get Big Sur on it.

 

[highvoltage12v]

I also have a late 2012 Mac Mini, and I was just wondering what all you did to get Big Sur on it.

Use a supported Mac to create the installation. Then boot to a recovery partition/stock installer (2012 mini) and enter

nvram boot-args="-no_compat_check amfi_get_out_of_my_way=1"
csrutil disable
reboot

Credit for this one goes to @jackluke on page 9.

This will allow you to boot past the Not prohibited sign. The rest of the Kext Installation is different now, requires you to read the thread.

 

[Martin Eastwood]

once macOS 11 is installed on macpro5,1 the opencore efi is no longer required. it boots natively

 

[MorMot]

Any news about MacPro 5,1 ?..
(Catalina can works but non-officially... so... you know...)

 

[highvoltage12v]

once macOS 11 is installed on macpro5,1 the opencore efi is no longer required. it boots natively

You could have boot flags stored in your NVRAM from a Catalina install allowing to to boot without OC. But yes mostly native.

 

[Martin Eastwood]

MacPro5,1 is working fine with Big Sur, no issues apart from wifi at the moment

i did a fresh install, only mojave was installed previously
all i have is no compat check added

 

[ASentientBot]

@pkouame OMG you're back! It's great to see you here again

I've only made a small amount of progress so far. With a basic installer patch, most of the same library replacements as on Cat, plus simple updates to my (horrifying as always) SkyLight/CoreDisplay wrappers, I've gotten WindowServer logs where it successfully creates an OpenGL context, but hangs just after showing the last-stage Apple logo. I'm working on figuring out why.

What do you mean about OpenGL? The drivers and framework still exist. (Minus most of the binaries, but that's because of the new dyld cache business.)

Did you ever make any progress on "partial" replacements of SkyLight/CoreDisplay or any more intelligent patches than just stuffing the whole things in there? I know you were working on that several months back.

Lastly, I think we would all love to have your expertise in the Discord server, if you want to join!

 

[MorMot]

MacPro5,1 is working fine with Big Sur, no issues apart from wifi at the moment

i did a fresh install, only mojave was installed previously
all i have is no compat check added

What I must do before moving from Mojave? =)
(loaders, flags, magic dance)

 

[TimothyR734]

@ASentientBot @jackluke @TimothyR734 @testheit @Larsvonhier @dosdude1 and many others... Glad to see the pros are still doing well and on the ball! Enjoying following this thread again. You are tenacious!

I lost access to my unsupported non-metal macs a while ago so I don't think will be able to make my (minor) contributions this time around. But more power to you all!

question: what are the current prospects of OpenGL compatibility/acceleration for non metal Macs with Big Sur (still not totally with it on the new name ughhh!) Looks like OpenGL backwards compatibility has been completely dropped this time!

Hello it is so nice to hear from you how did you lose access to your unsupported Mac any way I can . I am doing good so far and no I don't have Big Sur installed yet please keep in touch when you can

 

[GameRoof]

I have just uploaded a tutorial video for the basic steps to install Big Sur on an unsupported Mac, which can be found at
the below link. Premieres in 12 mins from the time of this message!

Tutorial video

 

[libneko]

We need more documentation on how kmutil (the new kextcache) macOS command works, I noticed from single user mode if mistype some argument for example: "kmutil create boot"

some additional shell manual popups, also typing "kextcache -i /" , apple message says "kextcache" is depreciated use kmutil to create a kext collection and they make an example with a long string containing /Library/Apple/System/Library/Prelinkedkernels/prelinkedkernel and --kernel /System/Library/Kernels/kernel

but this won't fit on a single user shell, because seems a too long string to type.

using kmutil -help
doesn't tell much just few arguments

the fact is until we don't figure out how to rebuild a kextcache or kernerlcollection from BigSur single user mode, can't make many attempts in patching the kext, because adding a wrong kext can easily make unbootable the system, I personally don't want to re-install because of a mismatched kernelcollection, it takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes on an SSD.

Run in terminal: man kmutil

 

[ryanx30x]

Use a supported Mac to create the installation. Then boot to a recovery partition/stock installer (2012 mini) and enter

nvram boot-args="-no_compat_check amfi_get_out_of_my_way=1"
csrutil disable
reboot

Credit for this one goes to @jackluke on page 9.

This will allow you to boot past the Not prohibited sign. The rest of the Kext Installation is different now, requires you to read the thread.

I'll just wait until Dosdude1 creates an app that will do all of this.

 

[pkouame]

@pkouame OMG you're back! It's great to see you here again

I've only made a small amount of progress so far. With a basic installer patch, most of the same library replacements as on Cat, plus simple updates to my (horrifying as always) SkyLight/CoreDisplay wrappers, I've gotten WindowServer logs where it successfully creates an OpenGL context, but hangs just after showing the last-stage Apple logo. I'm working on figuring out why.

What do you mean about OpenGL? The drivers and framework still exist. (Minus most of the binaries, but that's because of the new dyld cache business.)

Did you ever make any progress on "partial" replacements of SkyLight/CoreDisplay or any more intelligent patches than just stuffing the whole things in there? I know you were working on that several months back.

Lastly, I think we would all love to have your expertise in the Discord server, if you want to join!

Great to see you guys are still plugging away. I was just keying off of dude's opening statement on OpenGL backwards compatibility. Haven't downloaded/inspected the new release yet but if the drivers and framework still exist...there may be still be hope for acceleration on much older Macs. And no, your patches were never ugly as they surely saved the day for Cat!

haven't made much progress on CoreDisplay ... will check out discord... best.

 

[Martin Eastwood]

What I must do before moving from Mojave? =)
(loaders, flags, magic dance)

i used basic opencore efi, no quirks just smbios change

 

[Larsvonhier]

@ASentientBot @jackluke @TimothyR734 @testheit @Larsvonhier @dosdude1 and many others... Glad to see the pros are still doing well and on the ball! Enjoying following this thread again. You are tenacious!

I lost access to my unsupported non-metal macs a while ago so I don't think will be able to make my (minor) contributions this time around. But more power to you all!

question: what are the current prospects of OpenGL compatibility/acceleration for non metal Macs with Big Sur (still not totally with it on the new name ughhh!) Looks like OpenGL backwards compatibility has been completely dropped this time!

I´m glad to second that. Good to see the "brand names" here again. Hope that @0403979 reconsiders his plans (you can do both Linux and Apple geek ;-) and that @parrotgeek1 joins in at the right moment.
So. Next round with Big Sur.

TechQ: How do the BS* Apps react when they only have the FrameBuffer up&running and no metal and atm no OpenGL framework? Do they show blank/black content (as it was on the doubly unsupported MB 4,1 with Mojave) or has Apple changed it again and the fallback goes to CPU slo-mo rendering?

*fun fact. As many others I find it hard to believe that this escaped the marketing gurus at Apple, but I draw a smile out of the german meaning of BS: "BetriebsSystem" meaning operating system (!)

 

[pkouame]

Hello it is so nice to hear from you how did you lose access to your unsupported Mac any way I can . I am doing good so far and no I don't have Big Sur installed yet please keep in touch when you can

Glad you're doing well buddy! Old workhorses have been out on loan for a worthy cause. I may be able to retrieve them (pro 3,1 and mbp5.x mid 2009) in a few months. Meanwhile will follow and cheer on the sidelines

 

[highvoltage12v]

I'm having Sleep problems with the MacPro5,1, OS11, system wont enter an S3 state, LED pulses no devices spin down. Is there any known kexts from Catalina that would cause this?

Has anyone else tried OS11 sleep Natively booting on the 5,1?