Big Sur on unsupported Mac
Installing Big Sur on an unsupported Mac can’t be done the regular way through System Preferences > Software update. However, if the machine’s not too old, there’s still a way to install Big Sur on an unsupported Mac using a specially developed patcher tool.
Big Sur Workaround
At first glance, it may seem impossible to install macOS Bug Sur on a machine that’s not supported. If you are using a Mac that’s too old and go to its Software Update section, you will see that you are simply not allowed to install the Big Sur upgrade. If, however, you are determined to get Big Sur on your Mac, it may still be done in a roundabout way, by using a specially-developed patcher that you can download from here.
Install macOS Big Sur on unsupported Macs with this Big Sur Patcher. A new tool called ‘Patched Sur’, currently in beta, allows users to download and install macOS Big Sur on unsupported Macs. MacOS 11 Big Sur is an advanced Macintosh operating system that you can install on your Mac. It has got tons of new features to enhance the user experience, like making safari browser 50% faster, new features of messages, Air Pods improvements, new-design sidebar in mail and photos, widgets in the notification bar, and many more.
Depending on how old your Mac is, the patcher may or may not enable you to install Big Sur – some Macs are just too old, and even the patcher cannot make it possible for the latest macOS to be installed on them.
On the linked page (from where you can download the patcher), you can find notes that show for which Mac models (and hardware compositions) the patcher is most likely to work and for which it’s not recommended to try it. Carefully look through those notes and if it turns out that your Mac doesn’t have the necessary prerequisites, it’s best if you don’t try the patcher as it will probably not work and may cause unnecessary complications that could be difficult to fix. There is a reason why the latest macOS isn’t supported on older Mac models. The system requirements of Big Sur are higher than what most of the older models can effectively handle and so, unless you are certain that your Mac can run on Big Sur (check the notes in the link), it would probably be best if you kept its current macOS, that it can run stably.
Important Note
Also, it is important that you back up your important data – even if your Mac model and hardware composition are compatible with the patcher according to the notes, you should still make sure that any important data you don’t want to lose is safely backed up.
Another thing to mention is that, if you are using FireVault, you need to have it turned off, or else the patcher will probably not work.
The last precaution before you start with the Big Sur installation is to download the current macOS that you have on your Mac/MacBook onto a USB stick so that, should there be a problem with the Big Sur installation, you can always install the older macOS onto the machine using the USB stick.
With all that out of the way, here’s how you can use the Big Sur patcher to upgrade your unsupported Mac to the latest macOS.
How to install Big Sur on unsupported Mac
To install Big Sur on an unsupported Mac, you must first create a bootable USB drive using a special patcher app. Then you need to use the USB drive to install Big Sur on the unsupported Mac, and, lastly, you must install the needed patches.
Creating a bootable USB stick using the Big Sur patcher.
The first phase of the process involves creating a bootable USB drive with the help of a special patcher, so here’s how to do that:
- Start by getting an empty USB stick with enough space on it – it is recommended the stick has at least 16 GB free storage space (the more, the better).
- Plug the empty USB stick into your Mac, go to Spotlight (the magnifying glass icon in the top-right), type Disk Utility, and hit Enter.
- Select the View icon in the top-left and select Show All Devices.
- Click on the USB drive from the left panel, and select Erase.
- In the Erase window, make sure that the format is set to Mac OS Extended and click on Erase.
- After the USB drive is erased, close the Disk Utility, open your browser, and go to the page where the patcher is (here is the link to it again). DO NOT remove the USB stick from your Mac – it must stay plugged into the computer during the next steps.
- Look at the right side of the page, where it says Releases (you may have to scroll down a bit), and select Latest.
- You will see the latest available patch and down below, under assets, you will see the download link/links for it. Click on the first link and download the file on your Desktop.
- Next, close the browser, open the patcher, and when a window pops up on your screen, double-click on the Patched Sur icon.
- When macOS asks you if you are sure you want to open the app, select Open and select Start from the newly-opened window.
- Next, the patcher will automatically detect what Mac model you are using and show you what Big Sur features will work on it and what features won’t be available – select Continue in that window.
- If you want, read the guide that appears on your screen and click Continue again.
- On the next page, make sure that the “Release” option is selected, and click on Continue.
- In the next screen, select Update, and then click Continue.
- Wait until the download finishes and then click on Download macOS 11.0.1 (or whatever macOS version is shown).
- Wait for the loading process to complete (it’s likely going to take quite a lot of time, so be patient), provide your Mac password, and click on Continue.
- Next, select the name of the empty USB stick and then select Continue, and Continue again on the next page.
- The following process could take quite some time, so be patient, wait for everything to be finished, and then close the window. Once the process is complete, macOS Big Sur will be downloaded onto the empty USB stick and will be ready to be installed on your Mac. To close the window, click on Patched Sur in the top-left and select Quit Patched Sur.
Installing macOS Big Sur
Once you have the bootable USB stick ready, it’s time to install Big Sur on your Mac.
- Shut down your Mac and when it powers down completely, start it back up, and immediately after pressing the power button, press and hold the left Option (Alt) key.
- Once you get a screen with three different options, select the one labeled Install macOS Big Sur. If you don’t get that screen and your Mac starts normally, repeat the previous step until you get the screen with the three options.
- When your Mac loads to a screen with four different options, do the following if the current macOS on the computer isn’t Catalina but one that is older. If your current macOS is Catalina, skip steps 4 to 7 and go directly to step 8.
- Select Disk Utility and then click on Continue.
- Click on the View icon from the top and select Show All Devices (like you did in one of the earlier steps).
- In the left panel, select the drive on which the current macOS is installed (should be the one shown at the top).
- Next, click on Erase, make sure that the format is set to APFS, and select Erase.
- Important!: this action will erase everything on the selected hard drive, so it is important to have previously backed up data you wouldn’t want to lose. If you haven’t done that, restart your Mac, back up your data, and then erase the drive.
- Once the drive is erased, go back to the screen with four options, select Install macOS Big Sur, and click Continue, and then Continue again.
- Agree to the Terms and Conditions, on the next page, select the drive on which you’d like Big Sur to be installed, and select Continue. This will begin the installation of Big Sur and, again, depending on a number of factors, this process could anywhere between 45 minutes to 3 hours (or more).
Patiently wait for the installation to complete and once your Mac starts again, you will have Big Sur installed onto it. If you have performed a fresh install of Big Sur (if you’ve first erased your previous OS, you will have to go through several normal setup steps that are very easy to complete).
Installing Necessary Patches
The last phase of the Big Sur installation is to install several important patches to make your Mac function properly.
- Once the computer starts after the Big Sur installation, and you complete any required setup steps (in case you’ve performed a fresh install of the OS), open the icon of the bootable USB drive.
- Open the Patched Sur app and select the Patch Kexts.
- Click Continue, enter your password and click on Continue again.
- Once the patches are installed, the app will ask you to restart your Mac, so click on the Restart to Finish option and wait for the computer to restart.
- If your Mac is a very old one, one thing that could help it run smoother is to go back to the Patcher, select Settings, and click on the Disable Animations option. We also recommend selecting the Clean Leftovers button to get rid of any unnecessary files and free up some space on the computer.
Once this is finished, your Mac will be ready for use with the macOS Big Sur installed on it. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask them in the comments section below.
Make your Mac invincible
In the virtual event called “One More Thing,” Apple finally said it out loud: macOS 11 Big Sur is here, with the public release scheduled on November 12. The tech giant debuted a completely redesigned macOS Big Sur — along with other major updates such as iOS 14, iPad OS 14, and Apple silicon — back in June 2020. And we couldn’t wait to get our hands on it since then.
In this article, we’ll guide you through Big Sur macOS compatibility, its main features and benefits, as well as explain how to download and install macOS 11 on Mac.
macOS Big Sur: All new features and tweaks
Apart from many functionality enhancements, macOS Big Sur makes history with its very name. By being officially introduced as macOS 11.0, the new version leaves the era of Mac OS X behind. Good or bad, this definitely marks a new start for the Apple community, which, in the light of a long-awaited shift to Arm-based chips, seems to make a lot of sense. Let’s take a look at the macOS latest version and see what’s in it for you.
Biggest design change in 20 years
Once we got on a call with my colleagues to discuss Big Sur after the Apple Keynote, the one thing people kept mentioning was “it looks soooo different.” Indeed, macOS 11 Big Sur features an overhauled look — and it’s fair to call it the boldest design move since the initial release of OS X around 20 years ago.
So what’s new? Here’s a quick dive into the Big Sur design:
New Control Center, with quick access to frequently used toggles and new controls for Dark Mode and music
Space-efficient sidebar and toolbar added to many apps
Notifications grouped by apps
New widgets in three different sizes you can switch between to customize the view
Widgets and notifications can be combined within one custom view
Translucent Dock icons and the menu bar
New rounded corners across windows and app icons.
And it’s not only the look that has changed. To match the new iOS-like interface, Apple redesigned system sounds and even brought back the classic startup Chime that was eliminated in the 2016 Mac lineup. So if you’ve missed the old good donnnnnng, with macOS 11.0 you no longer have to tweak the settings to enable it.
According to Apple, the redesigned macOS Big Sur “reduces visual complexity while keeping the focus on content.” It also definitely looks a lot more like iOS, which highlights Apple’s effort to improve consistency throughout the ecosystem.
Safari improvements
Beware, there might be a new twist to your Safari-Chrome jokes. With Big Sur, Apple overhauls its native browser, adding some unparalleled privacy, design, and translation enhancements. Best of all, it’s crazily customizable and can look exactly like you want it to.
Here’s why falling in love with new Safari is super easy:
Personalized start page. You can design Safari’s start page from scratch. Set a custom background picture and choose what should appear on it — anything from Reading List to Privacy Report works.
Tab preview. No such thing as too many tabs in the macOS Big Sur Safari. The new browser features an improved logo-first tab design as well as lets you hover over a tab to see a quick page preview.
New extension store. The App Store will now have a dedicated category for Safari extensions you can choose from. What’s more, Apple simplifies the migration of third-party extensions for developers.
Web page translation. Translate a web page between seven languages, in one click.
Privacy Report. Safari will protect your browsing by blocking cross-site trackers on any website you visit. Plus, you’re getting quick access to the full list of trackers via Privacy Report.
If new features don’t sound too exciting, here’s my last argument: Big Sur Safari is reportedly 50% faster than Chrome — so yes, the fastest browser on the planet.
Messages: New search, memojis, and inline replies
The top messaging destination on Mac looks handier on macOS Big Sur. With an overhauled Search that highlights the matching terms, it’s easier to find links and photos across all your conversations. The new Messages also features inline replies for group chats and the ability to pin conversations to the top of the list — so that nothing gets lost in the shuffle. More Memojis, trending GIFs and images, and group photos arrive to spice up your chats with awesome visuals.
Maps will guide you better
Another Big Sur update relates to Maps, an app that clearly shows ambition for becoming your favorite tour guide. On macOS 11.0, Maps will include a brand-new feature called Guides, which is a list of places worth visiting in a city. The app is redesigned for better navigation and covers support for Look Around and Indoor maps. If you’re a fan of green travel, you’ll love new cycling and electric vehicle routes.
Other macOS 11 updates and enhancements
This was the biggest macOS news — but there are also many more great tweaks to explore. We encourage you to test the beta to fully experience the new gems. For now, here’s a sneak peek into all macOS 11 updates:
AirPods device switching. Instead of linking to the last-connected device, AirPods will now auto-pair with the device that starts playing audio first. Apple also upgrades AirPods Pro with Spatial Audio for a more immersive sound experience.
Improved editing in Photos. This includes an enhanced ML-based Retouch tool and a few more tweaks for photo editing.
Smarter Siri. With the expanded web knowledge, Big Sur’s Siri will be ready to answer more questions than ever before.
HomeKit Secure Video upgrade. Apple adds Face Recognition and Activity Zones support to HomeKit Secure Video cameras.
For a detailed list of macOS 11 features, check out Apple’s Big Sur Preview.
How to get Big Sur macOS download
Ready to give it a try? Let’s dive in. Note that this guide explains how to get a public version of Apple’s latest macOS.
Back up your Mac with Get Backup Pro or Time Machine. This is something you should never ignore when it comes to macOS installations because you want to be sure your data is well-protected
Click on the Apple logo at the top left corner of your screen > About This Mac
In the Overview section, click on Software Update
Once the macOS 11 update is available, click on the Update Now button and wait for the installation to complete.
Get an app that makes macOS updates safe
Create automatic backups of your data with Get Backup Pro — avoid data loss and other nonsense while installing macOS Big Sur.
Make sure you have enough space on your Mac for the new macOS. Normally, it requires about 15GB of free space. So if you have any problems installing Big Sur, storage space is the first thing to check. Since Macs accumulate lots of system files, duplicates, and other clutter, we recommend cleaning up storage with CleanMyMac X regularly — and particularly before you install software updates. This app will run a quick scan on your computer and remove all the unneeded stuff, magically. ;
Big Sur macOS compatibility
Whether you’re willing to wait for the public release or want to try macOS Big Sur beta right away, make sure your Mac can take it. Here’s the full list of compatible devices:
MacBook (2015 or later)
MacBook Air (2013 or later)
MacBook Pro (2013 or later)
Mac Pro (2013 or later)
Mac Mini (2014 or later)
iMac (2014 or later)
iMac Pro (2017 or later).
macOS 11 release date
If you have a compatible device, you’ll be able to download and install a public version of macOS 11 Big Sur starting November 12. In their “One More Thing” event, Apple also announced the release of the long-awaited ARM-based Macs (MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Mac Mini). You can pre-order them on Apple’s website. The shipping will start on November 17. So if you want a brand-new macOS on a brand-new Mac, you know what to do. Also, here the article about how to clear scratch disk in photoshop.
Download Big Sur macOS wallpaper
Big Sur will include four static and two dynamic wallpapers. If you can’t wait to refresh your desktop and make it all trendy with the macOS 11 backgrounds, you can download them here.
You might also want to pick a few beautiful wallpapers to customize your Safari start page, or just in case you want something unique for your desktop. In that case, check out Wallpaper Wizard. It’s a Mac app with a curated 25k+ collection of desktop wallpapers in HD quality. Basically, a gold mine for those who take their Mac background seriously.
So that’s about it regarding the latest version of macOS. Whether you’re going to test the beta or wait until Big Sur is publicly available, we recommend getting your Mac ready. Like any other macOS, Big Sur 11 requires a good deal of storage space. Plus, you’ll want to create a data backup before running any installations.
Setapp has Get Backup Pro for data protection, along with other great utilities like CleanMyMac X and Disk Drill. So it’s essentially a one-stop toolkit that will do all the Mac housekeeping to prepare for Big Sur. With a 7-day free trial, it’s worth checking out.