macOS 11 Big Sur on Unsupported Macs Thread

[justperry]

I don’t mean to clog up this thread anymore but I signed up for the forums just to say a big THANKS to everyone involved in getting this to work. I’ve today installed Big Sur on my Late 2012 iMac 27” (purely a test machine with a mechanical HDD and it is running very well so far. Cannot understand why Apple excluded these models from the update. I did have trouble with the WiFi initially but the patch has fixed that.

I have a Late 2013 iMac 27” and a Mid 2012 MacBook Pro 15” to install it on yet, but I’m confident from my experience today that they should also go smoothly.

Once again, a big thanks to all involved and also to justperry for the simplified instructions in this thread!

Glad you just registered to say thanks to all the ones involved in getting Big Sur installed on unsupported Macs.

Most of the credit goes to the ones getting this to work, as in coders and tinkerers.
Big thanks to them.

 

[nitinnk]

Type one line at once:

diskutil mount disk1s2

mount -uw /Volumes/Preboot/

cd /Volumes/Preboot/

rm -r *.beforewifikexts

Type one line at once:

diskutil mount disk1s2

mount -uw /Volumes/Preboot/

cd /Volumes/Preboot/

rm -r *.beforewifikexts

it finally works. thank you so much for the big help

 

[jackluke]

Hello,

@jackluke
@ASentientBot

Thanks a lot for your work you and all the contributors !

I have the same machine like you.
I wonder if graphics acceleration works under BigSur for you ?
If so, where can I find in this "long ;-)" thread a "How to - steps" install it on my macbook7,1 from Mojave ?
I didn't install Catalina yet.

Thanks !

That machine is capable to boot BigSur with Wifi, Sound and graphics framebuffer that makes it barely usable (brightness control works too), achieving non Metal acceleration ASentientBot work was very hard on Catalina, but on BigSur is even harder mainly due to the frameworks binary exec embedded in dyld_shared_cache .

You could try BigSur for fun, I also made somewhat a minimalist patcher, but for clearer steps use the micropatcher.

 

[0403979]

For those of you still wondering: No, unfortunately, I will not be making a Patcher for Big Sur, for the following reasons:

- Achieving full graphics acceleration with a non-Metal GPU has so far been unattainable under Mac OS Big Sur. As such, any machines that have a non-upgradeable, non-Metal GPU (such as 2011 and older MacBook models) will not be able to run Big Sur at a usable level. While I could make a disclaimer about this on my webpage and/or the tool itself, I know from experience that the vast majority of users will ignore such a warning, and then message me asking why their machine is running like complete garbage once installed (the post above mine as a prime example).

- The tool would need to be almost completely re-engineered, due to the completely different installer implementation Apple has done for Big Sur. While this normally wouldn't be a problem for me, it does take quite a lot of time to produce something that looks nice, is user-friendly, and works relatively reliably. Unfortunately at this time, due to other projects and obligations, I don't have quite as much free time as I used to.

- There are at least a few other Patchers developed by other people that work very well on the machines that I would support if I were to make a Patcher of my own (2012/2013 machines, and older models upgradeable to Metal GPUs only). An additional patcher would be redundant, as it would not offer any extra support than what is available in other Patchers.

With all that said, I will most likely make a patcher for the next major version of macOS released in the future. After developing, maintaining, and updating my patchers over the past 4 years, I really just need a bit of a break. I apologize if this is disappointing news to some, but don't worry, there are many other talented developers working on Big Sur patchers, and I can assure you that you won't be let down.

In case you missed it, I won't be making a Patcher for Big Sur either, for most of the same reasons. I can't thank you enough for the work you've done for the community!

 

[rumormiller]

I think this is why iMac 2013 is not supported
Lots of issues with borders and shadows (widgets, dock, windows, notifications, etc)

View attachment 1665194

This is Big Sur 11.0.1 Beta on my late 2013 iMac. I don't have any graphical issues. I use the resolution 1280x720 HiDPI set with RDM Retina Display Manager.

 

[alphascorp]

I have a 2012 MacPro 5,1 and followed these instuctions for a fresh install, but after step 17 it just goes into a reboot loop and never comes out. I've tried on an SSD and HHD, reinstalled Opencore 0.6.3. Anyone had this issue, or can point me in the right direction? Thanks. KK

Hi @KingKongUser

I have the same cMP5,1 as you and with RX580

I stopped at step 6 while preparing with Barry's Patcher 0.5.1. On our cMP4,1/5,1 it is not necessary to go beyond step 6.

I tried step 7 but it causes me problems waking up from sleep (on all my Mojave, Catalina and BigSur volumes) during my previous test with Beta 10 I had to redo everything from zero.

1- Re-formatting the USB key and creating a new installer - (steps 1 to 5 of the Barry's Patcher explanations)

2- USB installer patch with "micropatcher.sh" script - (step 6 of the Barry's Patcher explanations)

3- PRAM reset (alt + cmd + P + R)

4- Boot on the USB key and open Terminal (DO NOT START ON THE "EFI boot" USB VOLUME)

5- Definition of the argument "-no_compat_check" in the nvram with the command:

sudo nvram boot-args = "- no_compat_check"

6- Disabling SIP with these 2 commands: "csrutil disable" and "csrutil authenticated-root disable"

csrutil disable
csrutil authenticated-root disable

7- Exit Terminal and install BigSur normally

 

[8mir]

This is Big Sur 11.0.1 Beta on my late 2013 iMac. I don't have any graphical issues. I use the resolution 1280x720 HiDPI set with RDM Retina Display Manager.
View attachment 1666125
View attachment 1666129

this my imac Please help me how you do it ?

 

[page3]

This is Big Sur 11.0.1 Beta on my late 2013 iMac. I don't have any graphical issues. I use the resolution 1280x720 HiDPI set with RDM Retina Display Manager.

That looks interesting. Do you have a link to the exact software?

 

[mear.idean]

High All.
Unfortunately I don't have enough time to read all posts and of course replies because I'm in hurry, then I started to read some of them so it finally reached to micropatcher from someone I don't know the name from GitHub... But my problem was that I installed it Correctly (I think) but the KEXT part I mean the "Patched Sur" inside my Application's folder won't work at all. What should I do then to make it work?!

Now I don't have WiFi neither Ethernet or any communication to the internet I meant , and this is my Sister's Notebook I'm trying to solve the problem so I have to give it back to her as soon as possible. Please Be Helping Me !!! ASAP. or refer me to a thread where can I find something!

Thanks In Advance.

P.S. I run MBP early 2011 and of course the graphics and other kexts are not working well as well.

 

[I Need a Drink]

I asked this a few pages back, but I didn't really get a real answer from anyone, other than a comment from one user who didn't address the question.

I want to install Big Sur on my 2013 27" iMac. It's on my other Macs, and since this computer is my main system, it's going to bug me, in the back of my head, being a release behind and looking different than my other machines. I would like to avoid spending $2,000 on a new Mac right now when this one is perfectly fine for my needs, other than that itch that needs to be scratched of it being "outdated" in the software department.

I am not a programmer and I have very limited knowledge of what is in these patchers. Is there any reason to worry about malware, keyloggers, whatever, that could be in one of these installer packages? Thanks for any help.

 

[mear.idean]

Hey

I asked this a few pages back, but I didn't really get a real answer from anyone, other than a comment from one user who didn't address the question.

I want to install Big Sur on my 2013 27" iMac. It's on my other Macs, and since this computer is my main system, it's going to bug me, in the back of my head, being a release behind and looking different than my other machines. I would like to avoid spending $2,000 on a new Mac right now when this one is perfectly fine for my needs, other than that itch that needs to be scratched of it being "outdated" in the software department.

I am not a programmer and I have very limited knowledge of what is in these patchers. Is there any reason to worry about malware, keyloggers, whatever, that could be in one of these installer packages? Thanks for any help.

man don't worry just do it.
Actually I have done with no mistake with this Patcher named BonSova or something like that, Finally I have installed it but the kext part wont working ... But I have the macOS Big Sur now on my system.
Don't worry and just do it! There is no malware or what as far as I have tried...

 

[Moka.sOnkel]

Thanks a lot to Barry K. Nathan!!!

Using the big-sun-micropatcher (Version 0.5.1) I successfully installed Big Sur on my MacBook Pro (Retina, 13", late 2012).

Thanks for this great work!

 

[justperry]

High All.
Unfortunately I don't have enough time to read all posts and of course replies because I'm in hurry, then I started to read some of them so it finally reached to micropatcher from someone I don't know the name from GitHub... But my problem was that I installed it Correctly (I think) but the KEXT part I mean the "Patched Sur" inside my Application's folder won't work at all. What should I do then to make it work?!

Now I don't have WiFi neither Ethernet or any communication to the internet I meant , and this is my Sister's Notebook I'm trying to solve the problem so I have to give it back to her as soon as possible. Please Be Helping Me !!! ASAP. or refer me to a thread where can I find something!

Thanks In Advance.

P.S. I run MBP early 2011 and of course the graphics and other kexts are not working well as well.

Smart to install this on your sisters 2011 Mac which is known not to run that well on Big Sur and needs to be returned ASAP.

Also, if you have a problem then try to explain it better, I and probably more people can't figure out what you mean.

I am not a programmer and I have very limited knowledge of what is in these patchers. Is there any reason to worry about malware, keyloggers, whatever, that could be in one of these installer packages? Thanks for any help.

Don't worry so much about it, it's fine.
It's open so all people can see the code, we would have known for months if there was malicious code in it.

 

[oldmacs]

Now the longer version

This is for a 2012 Mac Mini and almost sure for the MBP from the same year, others, especially earlier macs need extra steps, for that read the manual on micropatcher page.

1. Have a USB stick handy, or an external disk, or a dedicated partition.
2. Download the full installer from here.
3. Download Micropatcher from here.
4. Open Terminal.
5. sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Big\ Sur.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/Install\ macOS\ Big\ Sur\ Beta --volume /Volumes/***
*** is the disk label you install the Installer onto, so the USB stick, I dragged and dropped my USB stick onto the terminal, the path will be automatically added.
6. Input your password.
7. It will erase your disk so be aware not to chose the wrong one.
8. Input "Y" if asked to erase.
9. Wait until it's finished, could take a while dependable of what kind of media you use.
10. Unzip the downloaded micropatcher, drag the micropatcher.sh file onto the Terminal window, then enter.
11. In Terminal type sudo and then a space, next drag the install-setvars.sh onto the Terminal window, hit enter.
12. Restart after it is finished.
13. Hold Option key right after restart, keep holding it until you see the bootpicker.
14. Chose the EFI disk, it will instantly shut down.
15. Start up again and again hold the option key for the bootpicker.
16. Chose the USB installer, wait for the installer to open.
17. Chose the disk you want Big Sur installed onto.
18. Wait for probably an hour or so (Have a coffee or a beer in the meantime 🍺 ) if you install from a USB stick, probably half of that if the installer resides on a SSD medium.
19. Restarts multiple times.
20. Almost done.
21. The next step is for WIFI, Wifi does not work OOTB on a 2012 Mini or 2012 MBP....
21a. Restart for the last time after it booted into Big Sur, you may restart before login or after login, makes no difference.
21b. Hold the Option key again to get into the USB installer, there are other ways but this one is the easiest, chose the USB installer, next open terminal from the menu.
21c. Input "/Volume/Image\ Volumes/patch-kexts.sh /Volumes/***" and hit enter, when finished enter "reboot", both without the quotes.
*** Is your disk label

Voila...done...a working Big Sur OS.🍺🍺

Edit: Do not forget to thank Barry K. Nathan

This might be a really stupid question... but can this install be done as an upgrade to Catalina? Or does it need to be done as a clean install?

 

[Ausdauersportler]

I asked this a few pages back, but I didn't really get a real answer from anyone, other than a comment from one user who didn't address the question.

I want to install Big Sur on my 2013 27" iMac. It's on my other Macs, and since this computer is my main system, it's going to bug me, in the back of my head, being a release behind and looking different than my other machines. I would like to avoid spending $2,000 on a new Mac right now when this one is perfectly fine for my needs, other than that itch that needs to be scratched of it being "outdated" in the software department.

I am not a programmer and I have very limited knowledge of what is in these patchers. Is there any reason to worry about malware, keyloggers, whatever, that could be in one of these installer packages? Thanks for any help.

We spent months of preparation to bring in a Trojan horse into your system - what a great idea

You should spend some time on post #1 and check out the patching options. Currently I would recommend the micro patcher.

 

[justperry]

This might be a really stupid question... but can this install be done as an upgrade to Catalina? Or does it need to be done as a clean install?

OS X/MacOS has always had the option to install in place...aka...your files stay intact.

Short answer, Yes you can.

 

[ses2008]

Hi all,

could a kind soul clarify 2 things?

I have tried to read most of the stuff here but can't find the correct answer.
Maybe there isn't just one …

Given
MacPro 4,1 early 2009 flashed to 5,1 -- > Bootrom 144.0.0.0.0
CPU Quad-Core Intel Xeon 2x 2,26 GHz aka Nehalem --> No Hyper-threading
RAM 48GB DDR3 ECC 1066 MHz
No Wifi Card, just Bluethooth
GPU AMD Radeon RX 580 8 GB --> Metal: Supported, feature set macOS GPUFamily2 v1
MacOS Catalina 10.15.7 --> No Patch!
nvram boot-args="-no_compat_check"
SIP disabled

Updates were done successfully removing SSD and install externaly with a compatible Machine. Put back in. Voila.

Now the 2 questions:
1. Is it still possible to update or freshly install 10.11.01 aka Big Sur on a SSD externaly, put it back in and run it with the boot-args?
2. Would this Machine with its Processor without Hyper-threading options run OpenCore with the possibilitiy of "normal" updating?

Any hint, link to thread or even clear answers would be awesome.
Thanks in advance.

To answer myself – at least the FIRST question – and maybe help others:

I was able to Update from Mojave to Big Sur by JUST trick the original Installer with the Hax.dylib method.

If you have the conditions I described in this post, there is NO need to patch anything in the system.
Just convince the Installer to do its job.

Updating though has to be done externaly on a machine which is officaly supported.
EDIT: Or Hax.dylib can do the trick with an Update Installer too …

If you have question just ask.
Cheers

 

[Georgijus]

Hi. Is there a way to enable graphics acceleration on 2013 Imac ? Specs are in signature . Top menu not transparent either when compared to new MBP. It looks like everything what should be transparent it just black color and dock has that white line . I upgraded from Catalina .

 

[oldmacs]

OS X/MacOS has always had the option to install in place...aka...your files stay intact.

Short answer, Yes you can.

I know it always has had the option, but I just wondered if due to the unsupported nature of this install if it wasn't the case this time around .

 

[BeatCrazy]

Has anyone successfully used this new installer on a iMac 11,1 (Late 2009 27" i7-860) + K2100M?

I got Big Sur working a few weeks ago, but was without Brightness, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc. @jackluke gave me good guidance here, but I was a bit worn out mentally to try this method So I'm back on High Sierra for the time being.

Would love to give it another go, if my particular iMac would be more stable or straightforward. I also have a Mac mini 5,1 (Mid 2011, HD3000 graphics) en route. Wondering how tricky that one might be to go from High Sierra to Big Sur?

 

[gase]

I have not been able to get Wi-Fi working on Macbook Air 2012. I tried from the Installer, before booting and after boot: in both cases I get a kmutil.KMError error 13.

Anyone able to help?

PS Here the detailed story. I should say that I first partitioned the internal disk in 2 APFS partitions (not volumes), say A and B. I let all my stuff on partition A. I installed big sur on partition B and I managed with trial and error to have WiFi.
After that I decided to erase partition B and installed from scratch on the left partition A, on which I had Catalina 10.15.7 and my files.
This time I was not able anymore to get Wi-Fi working.

I FORGOT: macOS 11.0.1 (20B29)

 

[il-rollino]

Hi people!

Yesterday I've performed the BS installation on my MBP 15" Retina OG, all works fine! Got an upgraded BT/WiFi card, so: wifi, handoff, Watch unlock and everything works great!

Only issue (known, as it was reported in the micropatcher readme): discrete GPU is active all the time (as you can see in the screenshot) and battery drains fast due to that.

Thanks to barrykn and all the people involved in the developing!

I can't recall where i found this workaround, anyway you have to stop "displaypolicyd" process and use a software like gfxCardStatus, that will let you to select between the gpu you want to use or the dynamic switching.
Since the displaypolicyd starts at every boot, you have to repeat the workaround at every boot too (or use Automator to create an app to do this for you). There are other ways to to that probably, but this is all I know about.
Anyway i don't do that anymore, since using an external monitor prevents from switching to the integrated gpu.

 

[justperry]

Thanks for your instructions. I have been installed Big Sur on my Mac Mini 2012 successfully.
But there is something interesting about the Wi-Fi network. My Wi-Fi name is "sudo rm -rf /*", and when I select this Wi-Fi, it shows the network can not be found. So, it may be a bug in Big Sur or only for patches?

View attachment 1666060

I had this behaviour in a lot of earlier betas, after that I didn't really check if I got the same, it connected to my home network so I saw no reason to check, I am also connected through a network cable, so again no need to check.

But...I just did and got the same error, IIRC I could change the wifi network inn System Preferences by moving the preferred network down the list, next switch off Wifi and on again and then it actually did connect.

Odd behaviour, I know it's been reported on supported macs, so I guess networking is buggy, in fact pretty sure it is buggy, Downloading seems a lot more buggy on a Gb connection, should get wel over 100 MB/s, sometimes it crawls to a hold, or starts up from either really slow speeds and slowly improves or higher speeds and gets worse.

 

[miztom]

Hi, today I was offered Mac OS Big Sur on a Macbook Air mid 2012 - I know it's not compatible and I don't have any profile installed…, but can't install it on this computer during installation ??? Does anyone know why it is offered for an incompatible machine ??? Thanks for the reply.

Screenshots:

https://ibb.co/w4jKBZ9

Bez-na-zvu1 hosted at ImgBB

Image Bez-na-zvu1 hosted in ImgBB

ibb.co

Bez-na-zvu hosted at ImgBB

Image Bez-na-zvu hosted in ImgBB

ibb.co

 

[Jack Neill]

Hi, today I was offered Mac OS Big Sur on a Macbook Air mid 2012 - I know it's not compatible and I don't have any profile installed…, but can't install it on this computer during installation ??? Does anyone know why it is offered for an incompatible machine ??? Thanks for the reply.

Screenshots:

https://ibb.co/w4jKBZ9

Bez-na-zvu1 hosted at ImgBB

Image Bez-na-zvu1 hosted in ImgBB

ibb.co

Bez-na-zvu hosted at ImgBB

Image Bez-na-zvu hosted in ImgBB

ibb.co

That would get my hopes up so hard seeing that notification...