What macOS can my Mac run?

#Find your Mac's model identifier

Many Macs share a name and a year but have different hardware. The model identifier (for example MacBookPro9,2) tells them apart, and it is what OCLP uses.

> sysctl hw.model
hw.model: MacBookPro9,2

#Every Intel Mac and the macOS it can run

One row per model identifier, from Catalina to macOS 27. Hover a status to see the root patches OCLP applies. Filter by name, year or identifier.

• Apple supported by Apple, no patcher needed
• OCLP runs with OpenCore Legacy Patcher
• Legacy runs with OCLP; older “legacy Metal” GPU, more patches
• No Metal runs with OCLP; GPU without Metal, apps that need Metal fail
• No not possible

“Apple” columns come from smbios_data.py in the OCLP source, plus Apple's compatibility lists for the 2018–2020 Macs that the source marks as still supported. “OCLP” columns come from running OCLP's own patch-set detection for each model and macOS version. Generated from OCLP 3.0.0 (commit a1c74ce) on November 5, 2026.

#How we pick a version for each Mac

“Our pick” is a recommendation for a typical person who uses the Mac every day. It follows four published rules, applied in order:

1. If Apple supports macOS Tahoe on it, use Tahoe from Apple. No patcher needed.
2. If Apple still supports Sequoia on it, stay on Sequoia from Apple. OCLP can add Tahoe, but then every macOS update depends on the patcher.
3. If its GPU has no Metal support, pick Monterey (or the newest version Apple supports, if that is newer). Non-Metal Macs run newer versions, but more apps fail without Metal, and from Ventura 13.3 app permission prompts need a workaround (Dortania, Non-Metal issues).
4. Otherwise, pick Sequoia with the stable OCLP 2.5.1. It is mature, it gets Apple security updates, and it is what most patched Macs run. Tahoe is shown as the newest possible version: it needs OCLP 3.0, which is new.

When OCLP 3.0.0 has been stable for a while, rule 4 will move to Tahoe. We will update this page and say so on Releases.

#Why some Macs cannot be patched

T2 Macs (2018 to 2020)

MacBook Pro 2018–2020, MacBook Air 2018–2020, Mac mini 2018, iMac Pro and Mac Pro 2019 have Apple's T2 security chip. OCLP does not support them; Apple's own support is their limit. More on T2 Macs.

Macs from 2006 and 2007 with 32-bit firmware

The first Intel Macs (Core Duo and early Core 2 Duo) cannot boot 64-bit macOS. OCLP's list starts with the iMac7,1 (mid 2007) and the 2008 models.

PowerPC Macs

Different processor family. OCLP is for Intel Macs only.

Apple silicon Macs

Apple supports them with every current macOS, so there is nothing to patch.

macOS 27 on any Intel Mac

macOS 27 Golden Gate requires Apple silicon, and the OCLP team has no plans to bring it to Intel Macs. Details.

#Memory, storage and graphics limits

• Memory: Macs with 2 GB of memory cannot install macOS Sonoma or newer (Dortania, Supported Models). 4 GB is the practical minimum for Monterey and newer; 8 GB is comfortable.
• Storage: a spinning hard drive makes any modern macOS feel slow. An SSD is the single best upgrade for an old Mac. Fusion Drives are not supported by macOS Tahoe's installer (reported on the MacRumors Tahoe thread); split them or install to a single drive.
• Graphics: the graphics class decides how good the experience is. Metal GPUs (2012 and later, plus upgraded Mac Pro and some iMac cards) are the best; non-Metal GPUs (most 2008–2011 Macs) run with limitations. The root patching page lists every patch set.
• Firmware: update the Mac to the newest macOS Apple offers it before you use OCLP, so the firmware is current (Dortania recommends this for every model).

#Common questions

Something wrong or out of date on this page? Email hello@oclp.dev and we will fix it (see our corrections policy).