Install newer Mac OS on older unsupported Macs >>>>>>>
You can now install newer later versions of Apple Mac OS on unsupported mac hardware. I have personally used it on my older 2008 15 inch MacBook Pro and 2012 21-inch iMac. They were both stuck with Mac OS 10.x. With this new process I was able to upgrade to Mac OS 13x and 15x. Pretty easy process. Have fun and God Bless !!!
***I just wanted to add, your performance on these older macs is limited because of the old mechanical hard drive. If you can upgrade to a newer SSD or even use an external SSD, it will increase the performance.
***It saved everything when I did the process; however as always, please perform a backup.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: VBVAGUY,
"Always legally conceal carry. At the right place and time, one person can make a positive difference."
February 15, 2026, 08:36 PM
vthoky
Neat! Thank you for that. My 2012 Mac is sort of “stuck in the past."
Politicians seem to have forgotten that they work for us, not the other way around. — — — — — — — — — — — — God bless America.
February 15, 2026, 09:24 PM
P250UA5
What's performance like on the older one? My wife has a pre-2010 MB that could use an upgrade
The Enemy's gate is down.
February 15, 2026, 09:26 PM
VBVAGUY
quote:
Originally posted by P250UA5: What's performance like on the older one? My wife has a pre-2010 MB that could use an upgrade
The performance is fine. Please note that on the older macs the performance is usually limited by the old mechanical hard drive. If you can can upgrade your hard drive to an SSD or even use an external SSD it will help with the speed and performance. God Bless
"Always legally conceal carry. At the right place and time, one person can make a positive difference."
February 15, 2026, 09:59 PM
rizzle
Does it save everything from the old operating system? Or do you use Time Machine to reinstall applications. I might of missed it, but saw no mention of it.
February 15, 2026, 10:49 PM
sjtill
Hmmmmm....
I have a 17 inch MacBook Pro from 2007. Unfortunately I think I got rid of the battery as I was going to recycle the laptop. May be worth looking into; wouldn't mind having one machine with a bigger screen. But then I have an add-on LED Viewsonic screen too.
_________________________ “Remember, remember the fifth of November!"
February 16, 2026, 06:52 AM
VBVAGUY
quote:
Originally posted by rizzle: Does it save everything from the old operating system? Or do you use Time Machine to reinstall applications. I might of missed it, but saw no mention of it.
It saved everything when I did the process; however as always, please perform a backup. God Bless
"Always legally conceal carry. At the right place and time, one person can make a positive difference."
February 16, 2026, 07:35 AM
vthoky
quote:
Originally posted by VBVAGUY:
quote:
Originally posted by P250UA5: What's performance like on the older one? My wife has a pre-2010 MB that could use an upgrade
The performance is fine. Please note that on the older macs the performance is usually limited by the old mechanical hard drive. If you can can upgrade your hard drive to an SSD or even use an external SSD it will help with the speed and performance. God Bless
Similar story here. Shortly after I bought my 2012 (used, in 2016), I swapped the spinner for a solid-state drive. That was a HUGE upgrade.
(Here's where I thank downtownv and Leeann for their help with the swap and my first OS upgrade.)
Politicians seem to have forgotten that they work for us, not the other way around. — — — — — — — — — — — — God bless America.
February 16, 2026, 10:14 AM
architect
quote:
Originally posted by rizzle: Does it save everything from the old operating system? Or do you use Time Machine to reinstall applications. I might of missed it, but saw no mention of it.
The usual macOS install/upgrade does save existing data, including user accounts and Apps, Since the final step in the process shown in the video is the same as that you would do with an official release, I would expect no difference. Realize that some of the installed apps will not like the new OS and might have to be upgraded or discarded. I know of no way to determine which ones will suffer in advance.
I have not performed this procedure yet, but I have a couple of candidates (iMac and MacBookPro) I will do when I get the time. I don't think it will work on my ancient Motorola-chip MacBook!
February 16, 2026, 10:19 AM
P250UA5
quote:
Originally posted by VBVAGUY:
quote:
Originally posted by P250UA5: What's performance like on the older one? My wife has a pre-2010 MB that could use an upgrade
The performance is fine. Please note that on the older macs the performance is usually limited by the old mechanical hard drive. If you can can upgrade your hard drive to an SSD or even use an external SSD it will help with the speed and performance. God Bless
Thanks, This one, my wife just wants to back everything up & do a wipe & clean slate. Then give it to our daughter for school use.
The Enemy's gate is down.
February 16, 2026, 10:26 AM
rizzle
quote:
Originally posted by architect:
quote:
Originally posted by rizzle: Does it save everything from the old operating system? Or do you use Time Machine to reinstall applications. I might of missed it, but saw no mention of it.
The usual macOS install/upgrade does save existing data, including user accounts and Apps, Since the final step in the process shown in the video is the same as that you would do with an official release, I would expect no difference. Realize that some of the installed apps will not like the new OS and might have to be upgraded or discarded. I know of no way to determine which ones will suffer in advance.
I have not performed this procedure yet, but I have a couple of candidates (iMac and MacBookPro) I will do when I get the time. I don't think it will work on my ancient Motorola-chip MacBook!
Thank your the information. I know just enough about Macs to be a hazard . Just wondering why Apple doesn't have this available, must be planned obsolete stuff so you have to buy new. I seem to be skeptical of third party patch programs when I see them, prolly just me though.
February 16, 2026, 04:20 PM
VBVAGUY
quote:
Originally posted by rizzle:
quote:
Originally posted by architect:
quote:
Originally posted by rizzle: Does it save everything from the old operating system? Or do you use Time Machine to reinstall applications. I might of missed it, but saw no mention of it.
The usual macOS install/upgrade does save existing data, including user accounts and Apps, Since the final step in the process shown in the video is the same as that you would do with an official release, I would expect no difference. Realize that some of the installed apps will not like the new OS and might have to be upgraded or discarded. I know of no way to determine which ones will suffer in advance.
I have not performed this procedure yet, but I have a couple of candidates (iMac and MacBookPro) I will do when I get the time. I don't think it will work on my ancient Motorola-chip MacBook!
Thank your the information. I know just enough about Macs to be a hazard . Just wondering why Apple doesn't have this available, must be planned obsolete stuff so you have to buy new. I seem to be skeptical of third party patch programs when I see them, prolly just me though.
I have been playing with *** Hackintosh *** on and off since 2008. Apple did not expect the numerous popular work-around hacks when they migrated to Intel CPU's. From my understanding this is why they moved to their own M1, M2, etc series CPU's and the latest Mac OS Tahoe will probably be the last Mac OS to support the Intel CPU's. However I can always be wrong. God Bless
"Always legally conceal carry. At the right place and time, one person can make a positive difference."
