Updating Sonoma on Unsupported Macs After Initial Install + Answered Questions & Clarifications

Learn how to perform incremental updates after installing macOS Sonoma on an unsupported Mac. Hear answers to viewer questions and concerns regarding unsupported macOS installs. See what I do to solve a frozen loading bar during the update process.

📋 Table of Contents

Intro: 0:00
Unsupported Sonoma performance: 00:16
Run post-install root patch: 00:32
OCLP installer compatibility: 00:59
The brutal truth: 01:25
Update OCLP: 02:31
Create an installer: 02:49
Initiate the update: 03:54
Frozen loading bar (safe mode): 04:24
Post-install setup: 04:50
Was it worth it?: 05:41

Unsupported Sonoma Upgrade Guide (text):

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🎥 Behind the Scenes

[AnsonAlexander]

Note: Bluetooth mice and keyboards may not work when selecting booting options

When updates go normally, unsupported installs via OpenCore Legacy Patcher work great but, when issues arise, updating can get time consuming and technical.

Thanks to all of my viewers for asking the right questions and helping to keep my information accurate!

[marcoantonio]

I am a linux user. I use it on several servers that I access via ssh. But for use on desktops and laptops, I still think the Mac solution is more robust. Not because of the system itself, but because of the drivers and applications. I use Microsoft Office a lot and I think it's incredible to be able to use it on my Mac. We are in 2024 and we still do not have a version of MS Office for Linux. I've already tried alternative software, but I had numerous formatting problems, which made me give up. And they are not the same. Excel is very good. Unfortunately, we are victims of the decisions made by Big Techs. What saves us are cool people who share amazing ideas on YouTube, like you. Thanks a lot!

[semperfideli]

I just installed 14.3.1 and it works great no issue! I simply follow instructions and I'm good to go! BIG THANKS TO ANSON

[nonplayablecharacter]

Early 2011 MacBook Pro 13” and it worked fine. Took a damn long time but it worked. I followed the vid, paused rewound step by step. Just updated my out of date chrome browser so… so far so good 🤷🏻‍♂️

[kendallwhite]

I followed your video of installing Sonoma and Holy moly... I am very pleased with this operating system. At first I was going to factory data reset my machine. Then, I stumbled onto your video. I figured I would give it a try.. I had the boot loop but was able to get in. I spent a whole day booting different modes and restoring SSD I had no internet because the install deleted connection files. Luckily the patcher fixed that and boom... Sonoma on a 2017 15" MacBook Pro!! On top of that the day I got it working, some blue MX cherry key switches and black pudding keycaps arrived for my Keychron K8 Pro. It's like I have a brand spanking new set up and I love it! This was a really cool DIY

[andretenenbaum-br]

I got a new Mac Suite and decided to Upgrade my 2015 iMac to Sonoma. Followed your tutorial and boom... Now I have an Intel iMac with 16gb or ram and a SSD internal drive running beautifully Sonoma.... And you know what I Think it actually got Thanks!!!!

[jamesbarringer]

I gave a Mac I once used sparingly (took it over from my 85 year old Dad, who no longer used it) to my son for college. The one thing I missed was messing with GarageBand, but I didn’t want to spring for a new Mac. So I bought a refurbed 2014 Mac Mini from 2014 for $180 on Amazon, used OCLP to upgrade to the latest version of Sonoma, and it works SUPERBLY as a dedicated GarageBand box. An Amazon refurb, it has 16 GB RAM and a 256GB SSD, so it’s well powered, and in great condition. Frankly, I had no idea the 2014 mini was “not supported” by Apple, and had I known at the time, I would not have bought it. But when I found - at first - I could not use GarageBand with it as is, I soon found OCLP. It struck me the process to upgrade to Sonoma using OCLP is a lot like booting into and installing Linux versions like UBUNTU. Anyway, for $180 I got a “like new” Mac that runs GarageBand like a champ.

[JimmyScooter]

Sincerely appreciating these videos. They are great

[uhlrbxg]

Thank you. Really appreciate you doing these follow ups.

[Stefaon]

Yes, I did it yesterday with your video, and it's great to have Sonoma on my mid 2012 Macbook Pro !

[ejchavez]

Great videos. First I followed your tips for initial Sonoma install on iMac 2015. Working well. Ran Post install patches afterwards only after seeing this newer video. My mouse was losing connection. Seems that was fixed now. Please keep this great content coming.

[tonyscaminaci]

Just a note on OCLP 1.3.0… it should automatically pull down the compatible kernel debug kit for the OS version you’re installing which will prevent that final boot hang. Holding down the shift key is the correct way to get the OS to recognize the new kernel debug kit as you showed.

Another note… there are still some graphics issues with the mid-2015 MacBook Pro laptops under all versions of Sonoma that OCLP 1.3.0 has not addressed yet. For these particular machines, rolling back to Ventura (all versions) will work fine.

Finally, OCLP 1.3.0 will download the latest version of Ventura (currently 13.6.4) but incorrectly references 13.6.2 during installation. It will install the desired release but the installation tool doesn’t seem to be aware of any Ventura releases beyond 13.6.2.

[danielpaivabr]

I've done it on macbook air 2017 i7 2.2ghz 8gbram 255ssd with no issues at all. Thank you!!!

[garbagepicker]

@AnsonAlexander ? i'm a little confused here, I followed your video to install sonoma 14.4 on my 2015 imac and everything installed great working great, now i'm getting a notification to upgrade to 14.41 can I just click in the OS to upgrade or is there a special thing to upgrade i'm not figuring out? Thank you Did I not see a video of yours talking about this ?

[milordd]

Late 2012 mbp here, I've just installed sonoma, so far so good!

[bhrrqdr]

Mid 2014 MacBook pro (upgraded machine with 1TB SSD - which is quicker than original) took less than 1 hour. Very straight forward. Looks to work fine.
I installed to make sure security updates were installed and to keep my brilliant MacBook pro 2014 secure - is this the reason i should keep updating the OS?
This MacBook is unbelievably reliable. I had to install a new battery 2 years ago, but it seems as quick as it ever was.

[chicagokush]

Really dope to see you with a atomik canvas 😎😎 I am now subbed ! Just watched your video tutorial and updated my mid 2012 mbp unibody. Thank you 🙏🏽 ☮️

[NOTATTS]

I upgraded my mac 2011 but I still can't download apps that require updated macs like capcut and new version of fcpx. Any help?

[davidpearson]

Thanks Anson for all your guidance. I now have my 'old' late 2014 Mac Mini running Sonoma 14.2.1 right next to the family M1 iMac running the same. That Mac Mini was going to be retired before I saw your video. Mind you, the install took over 4 hrs, with many odd reboots and strange 'stallings' along the way. Take a large patience pill is my advice. Worth the effort, though.

[MandyJmusic]

Thank you for the information in this video! Didnt realise i needed to keep open patcher all the time for each update… computer went haywire without it .. wouldn't connect to wifi screen white over screen saver ! All fixed now ! Cheers