How to install macOS Catalina on an older Mac
Apple updates its desktop operating system, macOS, on a yearly basis, introducing new features that further enhance the high-end experience on offer. macOS Catalina introduced Sidecar, a feature that uses your iPad to provide a dual-display experience, alongside Screen Time support, an upgraded Photos app and more, but what if your Mac is too old to get the update?
While there’s no official way to install macOS Catalina on an older Mac, there are third-party workarounds – we talk you through the best right here. If you want to simply clean install macOS, we coverhow to reset a Macseperately.
Is my Mac too old for macOS Catalina?
While you might want to upgrade to macOS Catalina, you might not be able to – it all depends on the model of Mac or MacBook that you have. Much like iOS, Apple only supports recent hardware in macOS Catalina, due to likely performance issues with the power-hungry OS running on older kit.
Here’s a complete list of macOS Catalina-compatible desktops and laptops:
This means that, essentially, if your kit was released earlier than 2012, you’re out of luck – or are you? While there’s no official way to get macOS Catalina on an older Mac, there’s a techy workaround that’ll get the system running on your older kit – although whether you should or not is a different question altogether.
How to get Catalina on an older Mac
The problem is that, if you’re running an older unsupported machine, macOS Catalina simply won’t be available to download via the App Store. Even if you did manage to get a copy via third-party means, code baked into the install will stop it from running on unsupported hardware, but there is a workaround.
The macOS Catalina Patcher was created by third-party developer DOSDude1, and although you’ll likely run into some problems from time to time, it does allow you to run Catalina on unsupported hardware – even if it does go against Apple’s terms and conditions. Admittedly, the workaround doesn’t work with every Mac, but there’s a large collection listed ondosdude1.comwith some going back to early 2008.
There is an in-depth video tutorial on the DOSDude1 website for those interested, but for those in a rush, we’ve simplified the steps right here:
You’ve now created a bootable macOS Catalina installer on your USB stick – next, you need to install it on your older Mac.
When your Mac restarts, it should boot into a fully-functioning version of macOS Catalina, ready for you to enjoy.
To get more out of your Mac, take a look athow to use an iPad as a second display,how to screen record on a Macandhow to zip files on a Mactoo.
Author: Lewis Painter, Contributor
Lewis Painter was once a Tech Advisor Senior Staff Writer. He covers everything from iPhone to AirPods, plus a range of smartphones, tablets, laptops and gaming hardware.
