macOS versions
Catalina, Mojave and older
OpenCore Legacy Patcher targets macOS Big Sur and newer. If you want Catalina or an older version on a Mac that Apple dropped, there is a different set of tools.
On this page 4 sections
Short answer
OCLP officially supports macOS Big Sur through Tahoe; for older versions, its README says “OpenCore may function; however, support is currently not provided from Dortania”, and recommends dosdude1's patchers for Mojave and Catalina. dosdude1 also made patchers for High Sierra and Sierra. They work differently from OCLP: they patch the installer and the installed system, with no bootloader.
Why would you want an older macOS?
- 32-bit apps: Catalina removed 32-bit app support, so Mojave is the last version that runs them.
- Very old or slow Macs where a lighter system feels better.
- Specific software that needs a version.
Which tool for which version
| Target | Tool | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Big Sur to Tahoe | OpenCore Legacy Patcher | Maintained; this site |
| Catalina, Mojave | dosdude1's Catalina / Mojave Patcher | Recommended in OCLP's README |
| High Sierra, Sierra | dosdude1's patchers | For Macs Apple dropped before Mojave |
| Big Sur, older method | Patched Sur, bigmac | Replaced by OCLP. Systems installed with them cannot be upgraded with OCLP without reinstalling (OCLP README) |
Which Macs stop at which macOS
Which older version you can choose depends on the last macOS Apple gave your Mac. This list is generated from OCLP's model data: the Macs whose last official macOS is Sierra, High Sierra, Mojave or Catalina, and how many of them OCLP also supports.
Last macOS High Sierra (10.13) 22 models · 22 supported by OCLP
- iMac (27-inch, Late 2009)
iMac10,1 - iMac (27-inch, Late 2009)
iMac11,1 - MacBook (13-inch, Late 2009)
MacBook6,1 - iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2010)
iMac11,2 - iMac (27-inch, Mid 2010)
iMac11,3 - MacBook (13-inch, Mid 2010)
MacBook7,1 - MacBook Air (11-inch, Late 2010)
MacBookAir3,1 - MacBook Air (13-inch, Late 2010)
MacBookAir3,2 - MacBook Pro (17-inch, Mid 2010)
MacBookPro6,1 - MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2010)
MacBookPro6,2 - MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2010)
MacBookPro7,1 - Mac mini (Mid 2010)
Macmini4,1 - iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2011)
iMac12,1 - iMac (27-inch, Mid 2011)
iMac12,2 - MacBook Air (11-inch, Mid 2011)
MacBookAir4,1 - MacBook Air (13-inch, Mid 2011)
MacBookAir4,2 - MacBook Pro (13-inch, Early 2011)
MacBookPro8,1 - MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2011)
MacBookPro8,2 - MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2011)
MacBookPro8,3 - Mac mini (Mid 2011)
Macmini5,1 - Mac mini (Mid 2011)
Macmini5,2 - Mac mini Server (Mid 2011)
Macmini5,3
Last macOS Mojave (10.14) 1 models · 1 supported by OCLP
- Mac Pro (Mid 2010)
MacPro5,1
Last macOS Catalina (10.15) 14 models · 14 supported by OCLP
- iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2012)
iMac13,1 - iMac (27-inch, Late 2012)
iMac13,2 - MacBook Air (11-inch, Mid 2012)
MacBookAir5,1 - MacBook Air (13-inch, Mid 2012)
MacBookAir5,2 - MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2012)
MacBookPro9,1 - MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012)
MacBookPro9,2 - MacBook Pro (Retina, Mid 2012)
MacBookPro10,1 - MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Late 2012)
MacBookPro10,2 - Mac mini (Late 2012)
Macmini6,1 - Mac mini Server (Late 2012)
Macmini6,2 - iMac (21.5-inch, Early 2013)
iMac13,3 - iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2013)
iMac14,1 - iMac (27-inch, Late 2013)
iMac14,2 - iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2013)
iMac14,3
A Mac can run any macOS between the one it shipped with and its last supported one without patching, so a Mac that stops at Catalina can also run Mojave natively. Patchers are only needed to go past the ceiling.
dosdude1's tools are on his website, dosdude1.com. They are free; check you are on the genuine site.
Security
Catalina and older have had no security updates for years. Use them offline, or with a current third-party browser, and be careful with downloads.Common questions
Can OpenCore Legacy Patcher install Catalina?
Is dosdude1's patcher safe?
Keep going
Something wrong or out of date on this page? Email hello@oclp.dev and we will fix it (see our corrections policy).