Apple rolls out a new product, software update, and quite new things. This happens in an annual event that happens nearly around the same time every year. To be specific, Apple calls this event WWDC which is mostly held between June and July. While Apple have more other events except this, but it’s probably the most important and most interesting one that users wait. This event probably introduces new apps, products, softwares and more. What’s the most interesting part for Mac users is the macOS update. In this post, I’ll show how to Install macOS Catalina on Unsupported Mac.
Dosdude Catalina Patch
- Please only file an issue here for code-related problems. This is not an issue system for resolving issues with using the compiled binaries, or discussing functionality issues with Catalina on your unsupported machine.
- DosDude Catalina Patcher is a third-party tool, meaning Apple does not develop the tool. It’s made by an individual developer instead. Keep in mind that just because you can make your old Mac run Catalina, it doesn’t necessarily mean it will always be a good thing to do.
While every computer needs an operating system like Windows for PC, Macs also need an operating system. In this case, Apple made macOS for Mac. Since Apple has launched Mac, Apple has also rolled out macOS like Windows for PC. So Apple started rolling out versions of macOS and after versions of macOS, now Apple has rolled out macOS Catalina. First, we’ll know-hows macOS Catalina and what’s new in it.
A permanent fix to disable the defective dedicated AMD GPU on 2011 MacBook Pro models.
The macOS Catalina is the new version after macOS Mojave. From macOS Mojave to macOS Catalina, Apple says it provides more of what a user needs and even better the experience. The hugest update which has come to macOS Catalina is the operating of the most popular iTunes app. The most common and most used app that every user knows about is iTunes. It has now been separated to three popular and specific apps that are Apple Music, Apple TV, Apple Podcast. While before this, iTunes was managing all these three functions, but now Apple has made specific app for specific purpose.
macOS Catalina
The Mac is now more powerful with the new macOS. With the iTunes being used for a pretty while now, there’s no iTunes anymore. iTunes is now officially disappeared from Mac and instead, three apps have taken its place. All of these apps are amazing and is designed to make the experience better. All of your data is now split into its relative app like music into Apple Muisc, movies into Apple TV and podcasts into Apple Podcast. Moreover, iCloud will now sync across your devices as typical and you can take backup, do a restore, sync and do whatever you’d in iTunes before.
With the most music possible, Apple has put around 60 million music and songs into the Apple Music. While it’s probably not free but has a enough trail to check and see if it’s worth in your eyes. The most beautiful feature is, yo can create playlist and importantly download the songs offline officially. Like this, the Apple TV is now much updated and users are able to do more than iTunes.
The Apple TV let us watch and download it offline and also discover and see what’s trending. And you can do these things across your device such as start a movie in your iPhone and continue playing it in your Mac. The only thing which is required is that you’ll need an Apple ID. With that, you do not need much else except the subscription.
These are the most massive updates that have come to the macOS but they are definitely not the only update.
macOS Catalina Supported & Unsupported List
With the release of macOS High Sierra and even before, Apple started to take down older Macs. That means, Apple started discontinuing support for older Macs, so they can’t install the new version of macOS. Like when macOS High Sierra was released, Apple released the list of the uncompatible list that they can’t install macOS High Sierra on. The same is with macOS Catalina and is continuing. With the macOS Catalina, Apple increase and is also increasing the list of unsupported Macs.
Now most users call for support and ask Apple to continue support. But Apple responded with a sorry message, stating they can’t because older Macs aren’t able to install. They have a lack of power and performance. That’s why we have did this. This makes sense because as Apple is improving and adding new things and features, it’s requires more resources and power to work with those.
On the other hand, Windows users can install macOS Catalina and other versions of macOS on VMware and also install macOS Catalina on VirtualBox. Regardless of their operating system and even computer, they are able to install macOS on Windows. Instead, Mac users can’t install macOS due to the Apple support. In this post, I’ll show how to install macOS Catalina on unsupported Mac.
DosDude Catalina Patcher
While you can’t install macOS Catalina officially on your unsupported Mac but thanks to the Catalina Patcher third-party tool. The macOS Catalina Patcher tool will definitely work fine to install macOS on the above unsupported Mac. This problem is occurring for thousands and maybe a million Mac users, so there’s a should be a solution.
Like we described, it helps us install macOS Catalina on unsupported Mac. This particularly patches macOS like macOS Unlocker on VMware and makes it possible to install macOS Catalina. It’s somehow similar to installing macOS Catalina officially but has some changes but overall, it’s pretty easy to do. This is the only solid solution for this and there’s no other way as of now to install macOS Catalina on unsupported Mac. Anyway you install macOS Catalina on these unsupported Mac and how it work really depends on the hardware of your Mac.
The macOS Catalina Patcher works on the following list of unsupported Mac.
- Early-2008 or newer Mac Pro, iMac, or MacBook Pro:
- MacPro3,1
- MacPro4,1
- MacPro5,1
- iMac8,1
- iMac9,1
- iMac10,x
- iMac11,x (systems with AMD Radeon HD 5xxx and 6xxx series GPUs will be almost unusable when running Catalina.)
- iMac12,x (systems with AMD Radeon HD 5xxx and 6xxx series GPUs will be almost unusable when running Catalina.)
- MacBookPro4,1
- MacBookPro5,x
- MacBookPro6,x
- MacBookPro7,x
- MacBookPro8,x
- Late-2008 or newer MacBook Air or Aluminum Unibody MacBook:
- MacBookAir2,1
- MacBookAir3,x
- MacBookAir4,x
- MacBook5,1
- Early-2009 or newer Mac Mini or white MacBook:
- Macmini3,1
- Macmini4,1
- Macmini5,x (systems with AMD Radeon HD 6xxx series GPUs will be almost unusable when running Catalina.)
- MacBook5,2
- MacBook6,1
- MacBook7,1
- Early-2008 or newer Xserve:
- Xserve2,1
- Xserve3,1
What You’ll Need
To get started, we need the following files.
- At least 12GB or 16GB USB Flash Drive
- macOS Catalina File
- Backup of your Mac
How to Install macOS Catalina on Unsupported Mac
Installing macOS Catalina on a supported Mac will work pretty fine but how it performs on an unsupported Mac really depends on your Mac. Specifically how much old your device is and what are the specs. In terms of the installation, we may show the steps but we never advice to do or not to so you may do it at your own risk.
Step One – Install macOS Catalina Patcher Tool
With those said, when you’ve filled the requirments, make the files ready and proceed with the steps.
After you’ve macOS Catalina Patcher Tool, fire it up. Then click Continue.
At this point, you’ll need macOS Catalina DMG file. If you have already downloaded, browse it and select it. But if you don’t select Download a copy.
While I chose the Download a Copy so I’ll select the Start Download. This will download macOS Catalina installer file.
After its done, you’ll see three methods of installation. Now connect a USB and select the create a macOS Catalina bootable USB installer method and click Start.
When the USB drive is created, connect the drive into the unsupported Mac you want to install macOS Catalina. Switch on the Mac and hold down the Option key. When you’ll enter into the startup manager, select the bootable USB drive with the arrow key and click Return.
In this screen, select Disk Utility and format the drive as APFS. This is particularly for if you’re upgrading from the older versions of macOS which doesn’t have APFS.
When you’re done, close the window and on the window, select Reinstall macOS now. After this step, the macOS Catlaina installation will be there so it’s quite easy to proceed with that.
The installation will be done then. During that, it will reboot so after the restart, when you’re in the macOS Recovery environment, click on macOS Post Install. The patcher will automatically install the relevent patch so click on Apply Patches and let it install completely.
Once its done, it will reboot so let it do and you should be now able to set up Mac like normal.
Congrats on installing macOS Catalina on your unsupported Mac. The macOS Catalina should work fine if your Mac is enough powerful to run macOS. Just like I said, the older Mac which runs older Macs doesn’t require much power and resouces but macOS Catalina requires some resource. While this isn’t a permenant solution but it’s probably a limited and worth trying solution. And when a newer version of macOS Catalina is released, it might fail or damage the installation.
That’s all to there it is. With this trick, you should have macOS Catalina in hands but if you don’t let us know in the comments.
DeMux
Firmware to disable the defective dedicated AMD GPU on 2011 MacBook Pro models. A permanent solution for radeongate.
NOW WITH NATIVE BACKLIGHT CONTROL! (See details)
Please read this page in its entirety before purchasing to understand what is required.
We are accepting mail-ins! The base rate is $60+SH for a flash. Only $40+SH if you already bought a key. Please contact us if you would like to do a mail-in.
If you have already got everything set up, you canPurchase A License Key (If you would like to do a bulk order please contact us before purchasing, we may be able to give you a discount.)
Important Notes
(Seriously, these are important.)
- For those with repeated failed flashes, please complete the following steps while flashing:
- Short PLT_RESET_L from Pin 1 of R2881 to any GROUND using a jumper wire (a reference grounding point is shown in the below images).
- Power on the machine. (While still shorting PLT_RESET_L)
- Proceed to flash normally. (While still shorting PLT_RESET_L)
- Remove jumper wire.
- Hard reboot machine.
15' PLT_RESET_L Diagram
17' PLT_RESET_L Diagram - If you are getting errors saying a DLL is missing please install the following Microsoft Redistributable (it is also packaged with the DeMux download as 'vcredist_x64.exe'):
Microsoft Visual C++ 2012 Rev4
Please make sure you are installing the 64-bit version by selecting it in the menu that comes up when you click 'Download'. - DisplayPort is a functionality of the dedicated GPU only, disabling the dedicated GPU will also disable the DisplayPort.
Table of Contents
- A Lattice HW-USBN-2A ICSP FPGA Programmer (you can get one cheaply here)
- Wires and connector to connect from the Lattice programmer to the MacBook logic board.
- A copy of the DeMux flashing software
Dosdude Catalina Patcher
Installing the software
Installing the software comes in three steps. First, download the package, and extract it. You should then connect your programmer and install the programmer drivers. After this is done, you can purchase a flash license from us and use it with the DeMux utility to flash your gMux IC. These steps are covered in further detail below.
Downloads
A 64 Bit Windows system is required to use DeMux.
Download one of the following packages:
Download PGP Signed VersionMirrorOnce the package is downloaded, go ahead an extract it somewhere safe. You are now ready for the next step.
Drivers
Once the package has been extracted, plug your Lattice HW-USBN-2A ICSP programmer into a USB port on your computer. Then, open the driver installer executable, and use it to install the USB driver. The program will tell you if it was successful.
License keys
If you don't yet have a license key, you'll need to purchase one. Keys cost $20 each, and are good for one gMux IC flash. Once purchased, save the key in a safe place, as it will be needed later. (If you would like to do a bulk order please contact us before purchasing, we may be able to give you a discount. A discount table is available on the purchasing page.)
DeMux client
Next, open up the DeMux flashing application. Here, you will need to enter the license key you purchased. If it's a valid key, the program will indicate so. Once the license has been verified as valid, you can proceed to the next steps.
- Please note that once a license key is verified as valid on one machine, it CANNOT be used on another.
Preparing your programmer
In order to prepare the hardware for gMux flashing, you will need to correctly connect your Lattice programmer to the gMux IC JTAG header of your MacBook logic board. This will require either soldering wires to each pad of the header, or using our custom pogo-pin solderless connector (coming soon).
When soldering the wires on a 15' board, please be sure to route them away from or around the large black inductor, located just to the right of the JTAG header. This inductor will interfere with the data lines if they are routed overtop of it. This leads to a failed flash.
Soldering
Important note: Only use a temperature controlled soldering iron or you WILL remove pads which are required for the flash to work. Most of the pads are ONLY available in this ONE place. The loss of a pad will PERMANENTLY ruin your ability repair the board.
To solder the JTAG wires to the logic board, start by tinning each of the 6 header pads with fresh solder. Then, strip and tin 6 wires that you can connect to your Lattice programmer. Solder each wire to the respective pin, as shown in the diagrams below (click image for higher definition):
There is now a video detailing these steps available:
No soldering
We are selling the adapter in limited quantities as a pre-release to high volume customers only. You must meet the following requirements to be able to purchase:
- Flash a minimum of 25 machines a month.
- Are a repair shop of some kind.
- Will continue to have a use for the adapter after its initial use.
No other customers will be considered at this time.
Flashing
Lastly, once your Lattice programmer is properly connected to the logic board, and you have a valid license entered in the DeMux flashing utility, you are ready to proceed with flashing. To flash, perform the following steps:
- Apply power to the logic board. To do so, simply connect the machine to power, and turn it on. It is recommended that you disconnect all hard disks during this process, to prevent the machine from booting into an OS. When the machine is powered on, the status LED on your Lattice programmer will turn from amber to green.
- Once the LED is stable solid green, you are ready to press the 'FLASH GMUX' button in the DeMux flashing utility. This process will take a bit to complete, so be patient.
- Do NOT disconnect the Lattice programmer, close the DeMux flashing utility, or power off the machine during this process.
- If the process fails, check your JTAG connections and try again. If successful, turn the machine off and back on, and you should now be running only off Intel HD Graphics, indicating that the DeMux firmware was flashed successfully. You can verify this in System Report by selecting 'Graphics/Displays' and checking that 'gMux Version' is:
d0.51.ab
Backlight Control
DeMux now supports native backlight control. How this is done depends on the version of macOS you plan to run on your system.
- For macOS < 10.13 High Sierra - Out of the box support, simply flash and use.
- For macOS 10.13 High Sierra - Follow these steps:
- Reboot the machine while holding CMD+R.
- Once recovery mode is booted open the terminal and enter the following:
csrutil disable - Reboot the machine.
- Install this package (mirror).
- For macOS > 10.13 High Sierra - utilize a dosdude1 Patcher to install the 'Backlight Control Patch' via Patch Updater.
- For Linux - Natively supported.