macOS 11 Big Sur on Unsupported Macs Thread

[jackluke]

After some minimal debugging I guess can give some hints on how to include the parrotgeek1 LegacyUSBInjector.kext that is required on "unsupported HighSierra Mac" to have IOUSB input and output devices responsive as for example: bluetooth mouse and keyboard, internal trackpad and keyboard, external usb mouse and keyboard, external usb hard disk and so on.

The USB BigSur Installer use this to load its recovery environment (or macOS Ramdisk):

/Volumes/USBLabel/BaseSystem/BaseSystem.dmg
/Volumes/USBLabel/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.boot.plist
/Volumes/USBLabel/System/Library/CoreServices/boot.efi (and PlatformSupport.plist)
/Volumes/USBLabel/System/Library/KernelCollections/BootKernelExtensions.kc

"PrelinkedKernels" folder is no more used, now seems apple use only BootKernelExtensions.kc
and for third party kext this other path /Library/KernelCollections/AuxiliaryKernelExtensions.kc

using kmutil can easily build (targeting the BigSur volume) a new BootKernelExtensions.kc

If instead the BootKernelExtensions.kc used is the one inside BaseSystem.dmg
then the path is "BaseSystem mounted"/System/Library/KernelCollections/BootKernelExtensions.kc
(I'd exclude that also BaseSystemKernelExtensions.kc is used for booting)

Then to make a new Patcher surely a modified BaseSystem.dmg should be made with something as:

make temporary "writeable" the BaseSystem.dmg

hdiutil attach -owners on BaseSystem.dmg -shadow

copying the patches or modified file to the BigSur BaseSystem and make read-only again

hdiutil convert -format UDZO BaseSystem.dmg -shadow

This maybe still won't let to install BigSur on "unsupported HighSierra Mac", but at least they can use the BigSur recovery environment, otherwise they should clone a BigSur installation from an "HighSierra supported Mac" or "Catalina supported Mac", but anyway they require a pre-build BootKernelExtensions.kc with USBLegacyInjector.kext embedded.

 

[jmbZ]

At least usb hotspot works. I tried to reboot to recovery for fixing the error 66 in terminal but it brings me to Catalina recovery. How do I fix this

 

[shaneXpro]

This is a small guide I wrote earlier for people on the "macOS on unsupported Macs" Discord server. I followed these steps and got a working and stable install on my MacBook Pro 9,1 (mid 2012 15 inch), but without Wi-Fi support for now.

1. Download pkg from http://swcdn.apple.com/content/down...kxzj3zjshu1srsh4n74a41n4/InstallAssistant.pkg
2. Download https://forums.macrumors.com/attachments/really-simple-installer-hack-zip.926156/
3. Copy hax.dylib to home folder
4. Boot into recovery
5. Run csrutil disable in Terminal
6. Reboot and run this in Terminal while on current OS - sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.security.libraryvalidation.plist DisableLibraryValidation -bool true
7. Run this in terminal launchctl setenv DYLD_INSERT_LIBRARIES $PWD/Hax.dylib
8. Open the InstallAssistant.pkg and open the Installer.app in Launchpad / applications folder
9. Wait for install to finish
Final step (only required if trying to boot on machine older than Mid 2012 (?)) - on Catalina or other OS that can access your APFS partition, delete telemetry from /System/Library/UserEventPlugins/com.apple.telemetry.plugin when complete.

I have my 13 inch mid 2012 MacBook Pro working swell, just with no Wifi. Ethernet and everything else works fine.

 

[nandor690]

2009 may require telemetry removal and a little bit different boot args, lurk on the first pages

Even if it’s flashed to a 5,1?

 

[AppleTalker]

I am currently using patched Mojave software and have used patched Catalina and High Sierra but in my experience, I needed to patch manually whenever there's new update available (and I prefer that way anyway, just for in case. If the software update method has risk messing around with the drivers, NVRAM or such, it will waste such a time to be figured out.)

I could either transfer my data from another Mac or create the time machine shadow and those two methods have restored my data perfectly so far - although it is just a personal opinion based on experience.

Question: how does one patch manually? I'm downloading the .pkg and simple installer hack file (basically everything from @GameRoof 's post), and after I run it, Big Sur is installed and all that jazz. But, after that...

Where do I go to patch update the official release of Big Sur (or even beta patches along the way and before the official release in the fall)? Or future security updates for Big Sur? This thread?

Sorry for all the questions, just need a bit more clarification. Thank you.

 

[shadowapple]

Great news, exactly what I've been waiting for. Thanks! Will join the party now with the @ASentientBot method.

These steps in the terminal are for the wifi to work on Big Sur Mac book 2012?

 

[mac_4eva]

I've finished my guide on making wifi work with "failed with 66" error.

DO IT ON YOUR OWN RISK. THERE IS HIGH CHANCE OF DAMAGING YOUR OS AND HARDWARE.

NEVER DO IT ON MACHINE THAT HAS IMPORTANT DATA.

I'M NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGES, IT ALL ON YOU.

THE PROCESS IS COMPLICATED.

Huge thanks to @mac_4eva, @jackluke and @highvoltage12v for their research and hints.

Enjoy: https://medium.com/@andv/making-wif...d-macs-with-failed-with-66-error-36c98e3f7965

You can make the whole process much safer by first creating a clean snapshot of the root volume. So if boot fails for some patched snapshot, you can revert to this clean snapshot by tagging it again in recovery.

 

[libneko]

You can make the whole process much safer by first creating a clean snapshot of the root volume. So if boot fails for some patched snapshot, you can revert to this clean snapshot by tagging it again in recovery.

It also may require backuping preboot, will add

 

[mac_4eva]

It also may require backuping preboot, will add

Haven't read everything on this thread but I wasn't expecting modifying Preboot to be necessary if modifying/adding kexts. I didn't have to do it to patch one at least (but then again I'm on a supported Mac so you would have a better idea): https://egpu.io/forums/postid/82134/

 

[libneko]

Haven't read everything on this thread but I wasn't expecting modifying Preboot to be necessary if modifying/adding kexts. I didn't have to do it to patch one at least (but then again I'm on a supported Mac so you would have a better idea): https://egpu.io/forums/postid/82134/

Without copying BootKernelExtensions, system refused to boot and stuck on HID: Legacy shim 2
[automerge]1593019854[/automerge]
Note: I wasn’t able to mount Live it as rw on OS itself, only via USB

 

[Alex-Microsmeta]

I got Big Sur installed on my Late 2012 Mac Mini. I used the A1425 guide. Everything seems to work except for wifi.

Why would you be installing Catalina Beta when this is Big Sur Beta?

Sorry ...Is only my mistake. Install macOS beta.app (Big Sur) Now I'm at the end of installation with PC USB mouse and keyboard not working on macOS 11 while perfectly working with Catalina. Any idea about how to fix this issue?

 

[BaltimoreMediaBlog]

I'm starting to think from reading this that my Mac Pro 4,1 flashed to 5,1 even with METAL graphics and a new WIFI/bluetooth card will now be stuck at Mohave.
I'm sure I could get Catalina working, but I'm not even sure I want the added problems and I don't see much benefit in losing all my 32 bit apps.

And from reading these pages, "Big Sur" must be a pseudonym for "Big Hurt."

 

[fireguy286]

Big Sur is up and running on my 2012 15in rMBP (10,1). As it was basically maxed at the time with an i7 and tons of RAM it's a shame it's not supported. After the 2nd restart it really is snappy and quiet, so no reason. Other than Wifi, everything is up and recognized and had no issues. Can't do the easy wifi method here as I get the 66, and I could follow those steps but for now, I'll admit I'm lazy. My current work around is just plugging my iPhone in as a hotspot, works fine.

 

[jhowarth]

I'm starting to think from reading this that my Mac Pro 4,1 flashed to 5,1 even with METAL graphics and a new WIFI/bluetooth card will now be stuck at Mohave.
I'm sure I could get Catalina working, but I'm not even sure I want the added problems and I don't see much benefit in losing all my 32 bit apps.

And from reading these pages, "Big Sur" must be a pseudonym for "Big Hurt."

If you have a GTX680 and a BCM94360CD, patched Catalina runs just fine on a MacPro 3,1 so a 4,1 should work even better. Note that most of the discussion here is stuff that is masked from you by the Catalina Patcher. Looking at the sausage being made can be a bit disconcerting.

 

[Alex-Microsmeta]

There was some info in the topic about kext required for it
[automerge]1593014968[/automerge]
Updated my mac mini 2012 guide with info about wifi:

How to install Big Sur to Mac Mini Late 2012

With the new release of Big Sur, apple have dropped my “brand new” Mac Mini Late 2012, so that’s how I made it work with the help of…

medium.com

Sorry I cannot find it, could you give me the link? Thank you. I'm almost on the Big Sur desktop but I cannot use keyboard and mouse...

 

[mac_4eva]

Without copying BootKernelExtensions, system refused to boot and stuck on HID: Legacy shim 2
Note: I wasn’t able to mount Live it as rw on OS itself, only via USB

What error did you get when mounting your live volume? Need to mount via diskutil mount.

 

[BaltimoreMediaBlog]

If you have a GTX680 and a BCM94360CD, patched Catalina runs just fine on a MacPro 3,1 so a 4,1 should work even better.

Well right now I've got a Radeon HD 7950, which I believe is about the minimum METAL compatible graphics, but I could get an RX580. The WIFI fix I've already got, the BCM94360CD so thanks for that info. i wasn't sure what would be the weakest link in my system. I've already got a 1TB SSD, 40GB of memory, so that part is doubtful as potential trouble. I do have a lot of legacy HDs though with every system going back to Mavericks, all of which still boot. Why do I keep the legacy MacOS's? Well, simple, some of the PRO software that came with my Mac Pro no longer works except in those systems. I don't do enough professional work with them to make the cost of buying new or upgrading worth it at this point.

 

[libneko]

What error did you get when mounting your live volume? Need to mount via diskutil mount.

Will check later, no electricity in my building

 

[kagharaht]

Oh well. I just missed it then. Late 2013 iMac. I purchased it early 2015 Apple Store as it was still selling as new.

 

[webg3]

Hello guys, when time? How are you?

Thanks to everyone for the procedures, I managed to install here

I still need to fix the Wi-Fi, I will follow the tutorial presented.


Macbook Air 11" 2012

 

[libneko]

You can make the whole process much safer by first creating a clean snapshot of the root volume. So if boot fails for some patched snapshot, you can revert to this clean snapshot by tagging it again in recovery.

Included these steps in my guide

 

[coolio2004]

I finally installed BS on my MBA mid 2012. I found an old USB Wifi adapter ac1200 and a driver for BigSur.It`s compatible for tons of cheap wifi adapter-see url

GitHub - chris1111/Wireless-USB-Big-Sur-Adapter: Drivers for Realtek 802.11n and 802.11ac USB Wi-Fi adapters. Packages for macOS

Drivers for Realtek 802.11n and 802.11ac USB Wi-Fi adapters. Packages for macOS - GitHub - chris1111/Wireless-USB-Big-Sur-Adapter: Drivers for Realtek 802.11n and 802.11ac USB Wi-Fi adapters. Pack...

github.com

Thanx so much for instructions.

 

[jhowarth]

Well right now I've got a Radeon HD 7950, which I believe is about the minimum METAL compatible graphics, but I could get an RX580. The WIFI fix I've already got, the BCM94360CD so thanks for that info. i wasn't sure what would be the weakest link in my system. I've already got a 1TB SSD, 40GB of memory, so that part is doubtful as potential trouble. I do have a lot of legacy HDs though with every system going back to Mavericks, all of which still boot. Why do I keep the legacy MacOS's? Well, simple, some of the PRO software that came with my Mac Pro no longer works except in those systems. I don't do enough professional work with them to make the cost of buying new or upgrading worth it at this point.

The Radeon HD 7950 should work fine. Especially since the MacPro 4,1 has SSE 4,2 support that the Radeon drivers in Catalina require.

 

[Dirty686]

I have a MacBook Pro 2009 and I can't get anywhere

Nothing after 20 minutes

 

[joanbcn91]

I've finished my guide on making wifi work with "failed with 66" error.

DO IT ON YOUR OWN RISK. THERE IS HIGH CHANCE OF DAMAGING YOUR OS AND HARDWARE.

NEVER DO IT ON MACHINE THAT HAS IMPORTANT DATA.

I'M NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGES, IT ALL ON YOU.

THE PROCESS IS COMPLICATED.

Huge thanks to @mac_4eva, @jackluke and @highvoltage12v for their research and hints.

Enjoy: https://medium.com/@andv/making-wif...d-macs-with-failed-with-66-error-36c98e3f7965

Thanks for the job. It's possible activate WiFi without all of these steps? it's more complicated for me and other users. Thanks! If not, i will buy an USB WiFi Dongle. THANKS!