Open Core Legacy Patcher ???

Jeepit · Nov 24, 2023

I stumbled on this and started to watch YT videos about it. By NO means am I a tech guy.

I have a 2017 (Late 2015) 27 inch 5K iMac that is fabulous. It is no longer supported by Apple. I still like using my iMac and don’t want to spend money on a Mac mini/Mac studio or new monitor in order to be able to continue editing.

From what I can gather, the Open Core Legacy Patcher, will allow older Macs to be upgraded to the latest operating system.

Does anyone have any experience with this Open Core Legacy Patcher? Or any others.

If so, can you please give me the good, the bad, and the ugly about it.

Thank you…

Rick

JPAlbert · Nov 24, 2023

Just because you have a Mac that won't update to Sonoma doesn't mean it's any less useful than it is on Ventura.

I don't use OCLP, but I've read numerous posts on the macrumors forum about folks who try using it, and then run into problems.

If you want to give it a try, go ahead. But be aware that if something goes wrong, it may affect the Mac's ability to boot and run (as it did before OCLP). I'm going to guess that if this happens, a complete erase and re-install of the OS will be necessary. I could be wrong.

I myself use a 2018 Mini as "my main Mac", and it's STILL running the OS it came with, 10.14 "Mojave". I couldn't care less that it's no longer "officially supported by Apple". It works for me and does what I need it to do.

Jeepit · Nov 24, 2023

JPAlbert said:
Just because you have a Mac that won't update to Sonoma doesn't mean it's any less useful than it is on Ventura.

I don't use OCLP, but I've read numerous posts on the macrumors forum about folks who try using it, and then run into problems.

If you want to give it a try, go ahead. But be aware that if something goes wrong, it may affect the Mac's ability to boot and run (as it did before OCLP). I'm going to guess that if this happens, a complete erase and re-install of the OS will be necessary. I could be wrong.

I myself use a 2018 Mini as "my main Mac", and it's STILL running the OS it came with, 10.14 "Mojave". I couldn't care less that it's no longer "officially supported by Apple". It works for me and does what I need it to do.

JP,

thank you for your input. A lot of value in what you wrote. I talked to an Apple rep and he informed me that trying to use a third party to update a Mac could ‘brick’ it and Apple would not assist in fixing it. He told me the test to see if Mac is no longer wise to keep is to try to sign into a secure website like your banking account. If you can’t get in it’s time to buy a new Mac. My 5k iMac is at the end of its supported life. He told me I probably have one more year of use then I need to start thinking about purchasing a new Mac.

Tom_N · Nov 24, 2023

Jeepit said:
I talked to an Apple rep and he informed me that trying to use a third party to update a Mac could ‘brick’ it and Apple would not assist in fixing it. He told me the test to see if Mac is no longer wise to keep is to try to sign into a secure website like your banking account. If you can’t get in it’s time to buy a new Mac. My 5k iMac is at the end of its supported life. He told me I probably have one more year of use then I need to start thinking about purchasing a new Mac.

You might want to consider installing a third-party Web browser. Some of them aren't as closely tied to the version of macOS you are running as Safari is.

If you are running Catalina or later, you could install the current version of Firefox.

https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/

If you are running Sierra, High Sierra, or Mojave, you could install Firefox 115 ESR.

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/firefox-users-macos-1012-1013-1014-moving-to-extended-support

Tom_N · Nov 24, 2023

Jeepit said:
I have a 2017 (Late 2015) 27 inch 5K iMac that is fabulous. It is no longer supported by Apple. I still like using my iMac and don’t want to spend money on a Mac mini/Mac studio or new

Apple may consider that Mac "Vintage" or "Obsolete" for hardware repair purposes – but an iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2015) can run anything up to Monterey – but no further. Monterey is still one of "the most recent three."

Jeepit · Nov 24, 2023

Tom_N said:
Jeepit said:

I have a 2017 (Late 2015) 27 inch 5K iMac that is fabulous. It is no longer supported by Apple. I still like using my iMac and don’t want to spend money on a Mac mini/Mac studio or new

Click to expand...

Apple may consider that Mac "Vintage" or "Obsolete" for hardware repair purposes – but an iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2015) can run anything up to Monterey – but no further. Monterey is still one of "the most recent three."

thank you for your reply, Monterey is what it’s currently running.

Abbott Schindler · Nov 24, 2023

Jeepit said:
. I talked to an Apple rep and he informed me that trying to use a third party to update a Mac could ‘brick’ it and Apple would not assist in fixing it. He told me the test to see if Mac is no longer wise to keep is to try to sign into a secure website like your banking account. If you can’t get in it’s time to buy a new Mac. My 5k iMac is at the end of its supported life. He told me I probably have one more year of use then I need to start thinking about purchasing a new Mac.

I’m currently running a pair of Mac Pros that can’t be upgraded beyond Mojave. I can do almost everything I need to on them, although at times they feel slow. I’m sure I’ll get at least a couple of years (probably more than that) of service out of them for most things.

To be fair, I did just buy a pair of M2 machines, because the image processing app I want to run requires at least Monterey. But the old machines still have software I use regularly and can’t (or won’t) upgrade for various reasons.

Bottom line: keep running the old machine until either it breaks (not likely), or you need an app that won’t run on its OS. Of course I think that we can both understand why Apple might tell you that your reliable old machine may need replacement relatively soon;-)

Mbruinsma · Nov 24, 2023

Jeepit, my 13 inch Mid 2012 MacBook Pro runs macOS Monterey via Open Core Legacy Patcher. It’s my internet machine and I have zero issues with it. In my case macOS Catalina was the latest official OS allowed by Apple.

To be sure that things don’t go wrong I would install the desired OS on an (new) empty drive and once running I would migrate the data from the old hard drive / SSD. This is also recommended by them.

I think that the Open Core Legacy Patcher Team is doing a wonderful job; they deserve a gold medal.

I wouldn’t hesitate. (Of course like always: you should have backups of your data.)

-Mark-

Duane Burleson · Nov 24, 2023

I also have mid-2012 MacBook Pros. I bought the second one used when the one I purchased new had a hinge fail after 7 years and I couldn't immediately find a replacement hinge. I needed a working MBP for my work as a photographer. I eventually fixed the hinge. Anyhow, I have a backup MBP now and am using it as a test of Open Core Patcher. Other than taking a quite some time to get it installed - download the patcher, downloading the OS, downloading the updates, install the patcher, install Ventura, install updates, etc., etc. it is working fine with Ventura. I am still using Catalina on my "work" computer and have no problems with that. I use Firefox as a browser, and neither Firefox (which still get updates) or Safari (which no longer gets updates) has failed to sign into any site. All my photo related software runs just fine on Catalina. The one program that would not work (or install) was Turbotax 2022. I had to switch to HR Block tax software. I'm going back to Turbotax on the Ventura machine this year. Eventually I will OCP my work computer.

Nick on the Baltic · Nov 25, 2023

Jeepit said:
JPAlbert said:

Just because you have a Mac that won't update to Sonoma doesn't mean it's any less useful than it is on Ventura.

I don't use OCLP, but I've read numerous posts on the macrumors forum about folks who try using it, and then run into problems.

If you want to give it a try, go ahead. But be aware that if something goes wrong, it may affect the Mac's ability to boot and run (as it did before OCLP). I'm going to guess that if this happens, a complete erase and re-install of the OS will be necessary. I could be wrong.

I myself use a 2018 Mini as "my main Mac", and it's STILL running the OS it came with, 10.14 "Mojave". I couldn't care less that it's no longer "officially supported by Apple". It works for me and does what I need it to do.

Click to expand...

JP,

thank you for your input. A lot of value in what you wrote. I talked to an Apple rep and he informed me that trying to use a third party to update a Mac could ‘brick’ it and Apple would not assist in fixing it. He told me the test to see if Mac is no longer wise to keep is to try to sign into a secure website like your banking account. If you can’t get in it’s time to buy a new Mac. My 5k iMac is at the end of its supported life. He told me I probably have one more year of use then I need to start thinking about purchasing a new Mac.

I'm running a late 2013 MBP with Big Sur 11.7.10. IIRC it received a security update last September, so I think you'll get more than the 'one more year' your Apple rep is suggesting.

From what I've read, OCLP is not really something for someone who is "by no means a tech guy", and just installing future security updates over it (which is the whole point of the exercise) is not trivial. If there's not a feature in newer OS versions that you really need/want, I would leave well alone. I certainly wouldn't experiment with something inherently risky on my only machine

If I were you I'd keep using the iMac as is, and start saving my pennies for a replacement in a couple of years.

For myself, I'm hoping my MBP will hold out until I can get an M3 Mac Studio, sometime next year.

JPAlbert · Nov 25, 2023

That Apple "support" guy was talking through his hat.

I reckon that one could easily get 10 years of good use from a 2017 iMac, provided it had an Apple SSD inside to keep it fast, and enough RAM.

A friend has a 2017 5k, I helped him set it up. Seems to run as good now as when it was brand new...

lightandaprayer · Nov 25, 2023

Since you say that you are not really a "tech guy" I recommend reading the Open Core installation and basic support information to see if you are up to it:

OpenCore Legacy Patcher The Mothership. . .

How to Install macOS Sonoma on Unsupported Macs, for Security Improvements

A slightly more user-friendly step-by-step published by Intego.

It uses the same screenshots as the above website but the author of the article offers helpful tips based on his own experience with Open Core. The information applies to Monterey and Sonoma installations.

Jeepit · Nov 26, 2023

lightandaprayer said:
Since you say that you are not really a "tech guy" I recommend reading the Open Core installation and basic support information to see if you are up to it:

OpenCore Legacy Patcher The Mothership. . .

How to Install macOS Sonoma on Unsupported Macs, for Security Improvements

A slightly more user-friendly step-by-step published by Intego.

It uses the same screenshots as the above website but the author of the article offers helpful tips based on his own experience with Open Core. The information applies to Monterey and Sonoma installations.

Thank you for your response.

I’m sitting on the fence whether it’s safe to use OCLP. If I use it and then have problems down the road later on, I’m not ‘tech’ enough to fix the problems.

Once someone uses OCLP is there computer still be able to receive Apple automatic updates?

if not; then is your computer wedded to OCLP for the updates?

lightandaprayer · Nov 26, 2023

To perform minor and major OS updates you will need to be sure to perform additional steps. "Automatic" updates should be disabled in the Software Update preference pane. You can download the updates automatically, just don't allow the actual updates.

Since I do not know whether it is safe to allow auto updates of system and security files, you will need to find that info in the support information. . .

Read the section Installing macOS updates (minor and major) in the second article I linked above. . .

Jeepit · Nov 26, 2023

lightandaprayer said:
To perform minor and major OS updates you will need to be sure to perform additional steps. "Automatic" updates should be disabled in the Software Update preference pane. You can download the updates automatically, just don't allow the actual updates.

Since I do not know whether it is safe to allow auto updates of system and security files, you will need to find that info in the support information. . .

Read the section Installing macOS updates (minor and major) in the second article I linked above. . .

Thank You for your assistance.

geni1105 · Nov 27, 2023

I have upgraded my Late 2014 iMac 5k with OpenCore Legacy Patcher a couple of weeks ago to Ventura, which was not supported natively anymore. So far everything runs fine …

I installed Ventura on an external SSD, so I have still the original installation as a boot option. Additional benefit of this setup: full SSD operation instead of the Fusion Drive. And I still run many applications from the old drive, gradually migrating them to the new one.

It seems (from their website) that Sonoma support of OCLP is not yet fully mature, though, but you might try out like I did, on an external SSD.

cyuill2007 · Nov 30, 2023

The family computer is a mid-2014 15” MBP that can officially only update to Big Sur. I had been planning on updating to Big Sur, but put that off to continue using software that won’t run on Catalina (and later) versions of macOS. I might still upgrade the main SSD to Big Sur and also install Ventura on an external bootable SSD, which is possible with Intel machines like mine. But I am tempted to just go ahead and update the main SSD to Ventura, which will be much easier for others to deal with. I like Macs, but the forced obsolescence of usable computers is one practice I wish Apple would abandon.

Nick on the Baltic · Nov 30, 2023

How has Apple made your computer obsolete? I have a late 2013 15" MBP that I use every day.

cyuill2007 · Nov 30, 2023

Nick on the Baltic said:
How has Apple made your computer obsolete? I have a late 2013 15" MBP that I use every day.

Nick on the Baltic · Nov 30, 2023

cyuill2007 said:
Nick on the Baltic said:

How has Apple made your computer obsolete? I have a late 2013 15" MBP that I use every day.

Click to expand...

It becomes obsolete when security updates stop and software you use stops working in the way you need it to and it cannot be updated. We are starting to find that some websites are no longer usable. I recently tried to download Google Chrome on a MBP running Mojave. Google wouldn’t allow it because it requires one of the recent macOS versions - Monterey and up. Adobe and Microsoft now require the same thing. Big Sur is the most recent I can officially go. Restrictions like this are pointless IMO, but they exist. And make the computer less and less useful as time goes on. If you cannot use a computer in the way you want or need it to work then it’s obsolete.

We will continue to use our perfectly functioning computer for now, but it would be nice if the company that made it wouldn’t artificially hamper its continued use.

Seems to me it's Google, Adobe and Microsoft who are causing your problem, not Apple.

Open Core Legacy Patcher ???

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