macOS 15 Sequoia on Unsupported Macs Thread

[makra]

I plan to get a (2012 or 2013) iMac 27", if i don't plan to open up the iMac to replace the HDD with an SSD, what is the latest recommended MacOS i should install with OCLP?

I am not sure if this is true or not but I read that some later versions of MacOS only runs well on SSDs, is that true?

Asking because I am still thinking weather I should update it to sequioa or should i stick with a lower version of MacOS

(if so, which version of MacOS is best for a spinning HDD)?

If a spinning HDD is not some kind of fetish for you, go for fusion at least! 😇 I think they began to put them in in late 2012. I installed SSDs in quite a few MacBooks and iMacs - and also the iMacs really were worth the while.

Then Sequoia shouldn't be a problem.

 

[jackson6]

If a spinning HDD is not some kind of fetish for you, go for fusion at least! 😇 I think they began to put them in in late 2012. I installed SSDs in quite a few MacBooks and iMacs - and also the iMacs really were worth the while.

Then Sequoia shouldn't be a problem.

That is a good idea! So do i need to do anything special in order to turn a regular mac into a fusion drive? and I don't know if I can find the space nor an extra connector to fit in an aftermarket 2.5" SSD:

This first link is just to show that there is very little space inside (I actually don't need to replace the fan):

iMac Intel 27" EMC 2639 Fan Replacement

Replace a broken or noisy fan in your iMac. Before beginning any work on your iMac: Unplug the computer and press and hold the power button for ten...

www.ifixit.com

Here is how to replace the HDD:

iMac Intel 27" EMC 2639 Hard Drive Replacement

Replacing the hard drive requires separating the display and removing the left speaker. This guide also includes steps to upgrade your iMac's hard...

www.ifixit.com

 

[makra]

That is a good idea! So do i need to do anything special in order to turn a regular mac into a fusion drive? and I don't know if I can find the space nor an extra connector to fit in an aftermarket 2.5" SSD:

This first link is just to show that there is very little space inside (I actually don't need to replace the fan):

iMac Intel 27" EMC 2639 Fan Replacement

Replace a broken or noisy fan in your iMac. Before beginning any work on your iMac: Unplug the computer and press and hold the power button for ten...

www.ifixit.com

Here is how to replace the HDD:

iMac Intel 27" EMC 2639 Hard Drive Replacement

Replacing the hard drive requires separating the display and removing the left speaker. This guide also includes steps to upgrade your iMac's hard...

www.ifixit.com

Sorry, that wasn't clear enough. Either you get hold of an iMac that was shipped with a fusion drive. With help of this list you can identify which model has an HDD or a Fusion Drive (which is a HDD with a small SSD inside to store the OS and the apps):

Identify your iMac model - Apple Support

Use this information to find out which iMac you have, and where it fits in the history of iMac.

support.apple.com

Alternatively you can open an HDD iMac as iFixit shows you and install any 2,5" SSD (!). Unfortunately you need to get hold of a set of adhesive tape to put the display back in place.

 

[TOM1211]

everyone still experiencing the Mac needs to cool down in photos? it’s not always bad and does sync eventually but wondered if it had got better for anyone.?

 

[Steve Gosselin]

everyone still experiencing the Mac needs to cool down in photos? it’s not always bad and does sync eventually but wondered if it had got better for anyone.?

I use Photos frequently. I have never seen this “warning.”

 

[xboxbml]

I found my order. It was from iFixit.
MacBook Pro Unibody (Early 2011-Mid 2012) AirPort/Bluetooth Board
Used / Bluetooth 4.0

MacBook Pro Unibody (Early 2011-Mid 2012) AirPort/Bluetooth Board

Replace a 802.11n AirPort Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Board compatible with Early 2011 to Mid 2012 Unibody MacBook Pro laptops. Part #661-5867. Model #BCM94331PCIEBT4AX. Bluetooth 2.1.

www.ifixit.com

You have to do the pulldown and select the BT4.
That's the one I got. I just found the original card. On the shield its printed:
Model BCM94331PCIEBT4
FCC ID: QDS-BRCM1055
IC: 4324A-BRCM1055

Not sure I want to spend that money to replace it again... I might..

I did it... wasted another 70$ on a wifi/BT card.. Installed it then reset SMC then loaded fresh Catalina on it.. worked for about a day, then BT died again.. I give up. There has to be some stray voltage or something going on there coming from the main board.. oh well. Not wasting any more money on this toy.

 

[TOM1211]

I use Photos frequently. I have never seen this “warning.”

 

[Steve Gosselin]

If Apple mentions it in its support section. According to Reddit and Apple forums, other users are also talking about it (non-OCLP). "I guess that's normal."

If your iCloud Photos are not syncing

 

[TOM1211]

If Apple mentions it in its support section. According to Reddit and Apple forums, other users are also talking about it (non-OCLP). "I guess that's normal."

If your iCloud Photos are not syncing

Wow ok hadn’t seen that didn’t know it was a “feature” on my “old” MacBook I thought it was acceptable but wouldn’t expect to see it on a newer model the old switch on 2 minute job is lost when looking at the cool down message for a while and it being quicker to airdrop the photos but it also doesn’t always show and sync instantly instead. (This is more of Apple annoyance it seems).

 

[macpro_mid2014]

Wow ok hadn’t seen that didn’t know it was a “feature” on my “old” MacBook I thought it was acceptable but wouldn’t expect to see it on a newer model the old switch on 2 minute job is lost when looking at the cool down message for a while and it being quicker to airdrop the photos but it also doesn’t always show and sync instantly instead. (This is more of Apple annoyance it seems).

My wife uses Photos a lot on her MBA7,2 (same Mac in my sig). Until Sequoia 15.5 (actual version), she had to plug in her iPhone to be able to sync the photos, otherwise they would not sync and the Mac showed that message.
If you have patience, they will end up synching but it takes a while, sometimes more than 24hrs. I'm not sure if it is related to "Unsupported Mac" or not.

 

[houser]

... and 15.6 is out + the usual OS updates..

 

[K two]

Apparently, build 24G84 aka Beta 4 and RC is also the release build for MacOS 15.6. final. 🧐
So, if you have 24G84 installed, Software Update will not provide a 15.6 update. 😲

 

[MacinMan]

Mr. Macintosh posted on X today that Ventura is now end of life, so that leaves Sonoma, and Sequoia for actively supported updates now. Sequoia is too unstable for my setup, so. I might try Sonoma again, or just stick to Monterey. Ventura, wouldn't be any better at this point after it's dropped off support.

 

[winxmac]

I have a 15" MacBook Pro 2015 with 16GB RAM and 1TB storage and no discrete graphics currently running macOS 10.15 Catalina. Should I wait for Open Core update compatible with macOS 15.6 Sequoia or go with macOS 15.5 Sequoia and just update once it's available?

I'm also thinking of upgrading my iPhone 11 Pro Max from iOS 17.7 to iOS 18.6

 

[houser]

Successful upgrades from 15.5 to 15.6 using OCLP 2.4.0:
* MBA 3,2 from 2010 OTA
* MBA 6,2 from 2013 via USB installer.

Safeboot was required to install root patches on 6,2.
As expected, no network available for either after upgrade, so using the Ugreen USB ethernet adapter that @rehkram recommended a while back here for OCLP to connect to git and download needed KDK and metal libs where applicable.
YMMV FWIW

 

[MacinMan]

Successful upgrades from 15.5 to 15.6:
* MBA 3,2 from 2010 OTA
* MBA 6,2 from 2013 via USB installer.

Safeboot required to install root patches on 6,2.
As expected, no network available for either after upgrade, so using the Ugreen USB ethernet adapter that @rehkram recommended a while back here for OCLP to connect to git and download needed KDK and metal libs where applicable.
YMMV FWIW

If it's a 2.5G adapter from UGreen, I suggested it, and @rehkram said he was going to get one, and try it out. I never heard back from @rehkram to see if it worked for him.

 

[macpro_mid2014]

I have a 15" MacBook Pro 2015 with 16GB RAM and 1TB storage and no discrete graphics currently running macOS 10.15 Catalina. Should I wait for Open Core update compatible with macOS 15.6 Sequoia or go with macOS 15.5 Sequoia and just update once it's available?

I'm also thinking of upgrading my iPhone 11 Pro Max from iOS 17.7 to iOS 18.6

There will be no new OCLP compatible with 15.6. The actual version, 2.4.0, is already compatible with Sequoia 15.6.
If you are planning on updating to Sequoia, I suggest you first update to the latest version supported by your Mac, which I think is Monterey, and only then, install OCLP. Installation of Sequoia 15.6 can be done through Software Update after you install OCLP.

If you like the visual, iOS 26 Public Beta is awesome! I would go straight to it.

 

[F1Mac]

Is there new root patches for 15.6? When I start the OTA update from 15.5 I don't get the usual notification to download the new KDK...

 

[rehkram]

If it's a 2.5G adapter from UGreen, I suggested it, and @rehkram said he was going to get one, and try it out. I never heard back from @rehkram to see if it worked for him.

See my post here where I did give you the credit for finding it. It's a great device, I have added UGreen to my mental list of quality vendors.

 

[Neon Ball]

Is there new root patches for 15.6? When I start the OTA update from 15.5 I don't get the usual notification to download the new KDK...

Apple hasn't released a 15.6 KDK and also KDK does not equal root patches.

 

[TOM1211]

Safari 26 beta on sequoia works no worse than safari that’s on 15.6 maybe that’s a good sign. interestingly it has the themes on safari 26 which has given me the homepage background on iOS 18.6 lol.

 

[F1Mac]

Apple hasn't released a 15.6 KDK and also KDK does not equal root patches.

Yeah indeed. Should have formulated more clearly. Thanks though for letting me know

 

[MacinMan]

See my post here where I did give you the credit for finding it. It's a great device, I have added UGreen to my mental list of quality vendors.

Glad it did well for you. I must have totally missed that post. As this is the first time I've seen it.

 

[makra]

MBA6,2, MBP10,2 and MBP14,3 successfully updated to 15.6. 👍

 

[macpro_mid2014]

Safari 26 beta on sequoia works no worse than safari that’s on 15.6 maybe that’s a good sign. interestingly it has the themes on safari 26 which has given me the homepage background on iOS 18.6 lol.

The only annoyance I've been having with Safai 26 beta is that outlook.com (my official work e-mail provider) keeps signing me out on a daily basis. I've tried deleting the cache with no luck.