Independent guide. Not affiliated with Dortania or the OpenCore Legacy Patcher project.Official project on GitHub
OCLP Field Guideoclp.dev
OCLP 2.5.1/3.0.0 RC5

Check my Mac

How to update an old Mac

When Software Update says your Mac is up to date but your apps say macOS is too old, you have more options than you might think. Start with what Apple still offers, then decide whether to go further with OpenCore Legacy Patcher.

Checked against OCLP 2.5.1 and 3.0.0Updated 3 min read
On this page 5 sections
  1. Step 1: Get the newest macOS Apple allows
  2. Why your Mac stopped getting new versions
  3. Step 2: Go further with OpenCore Legacy Patcher
  4. Other options
  5. Common questions

Short answer

First install the newest macOS Apple offers for your Mac (Apple menu > System Settings or System Preferences > Software Update; older versions are on the Mac App Store or Apple's download links). If that is still too old, OpenCore Legacy Patcher, a free open-source app, can install newer macOS versions (up to macOS Tahoe) on most Intel Macs from 2008 to 2017 and the 2019 iMac. 2018–2020 Macs with the T2 chip cannot go beyond Apple's own support.

    Step 1: Get the newest macOS Apple allows

    1. Back up with Time Machine.
    2. Open Software Update: on macOS Ventura and newer, Apple menu > System Settings > General > Software Update; on older versions, Apple menu > System Preferences > Software Update (or the App Store's Updates tab on High Sierra and earlier).
    3. If it shows an upgrade to a new macOS version (“Upgrade Now”), install it. If it only shows updates for your current version, install those too.
    4. If nothing is offered, look up your Mac in the Mac Checker to see the last version Apple supports, and download that version from the Mac App Store or Apple's support page “How to download and install macOS”.

    Doing this first matters even if you plan to use OCLP: Apple's installers also update your Mac's firmware, and OCLP works best on the newest firmware.

    Why your Mac stopped getting new versions

    Apple drops older Macs every year, mostly because of their graphics and Wi-Fi hardware, and, since 2020, as part of the move to Apple silicon. macOS Tahoe 26 supports only four Intel models, and macOS 27 supports none. Apple keeps releasing security updates for the two previous macOS versions for a while, then stops.

    Usually the hardware is still capable. What is missing is drivers: Apple removed the code for older GPUs and Wi-Fi cards from newer macOS. That is what OpenCore Legacy Patcher puts back.

    Step 2: Go further with OpenCore Legacy Patcher

    OpenCore Legacy Patcher (OCLP) is made by the open-source group Dortania. It has three parts: a bootloader (OpenCore) that lets a newer macOS start on your Mac, Apple's own macOS installer, and “root patches” that restore drivers after the install. It runs on real Macs only and installs the same macOS Apple ships.

    Your MacApple's last macOSWith OCLP
    MacBook Pro 2012–2015Catalina or Big Sur/MontereyUp to Tahoe
    MacBook Air 2012–2017Catalina to MontereyUp to Tahoe
    iMac 2012–2017Catalina to VenturaUp to Tahoe
    Mac mini 2012–2014Catalina or MontereyUp to Tahoe
    2008–2011 MacsEl Capitan or High SierraUp to Tahoe (Monterey recommended)
    2018–2020 T2 MacsSonoma, Sequoia or TahoeNot supported

    Read Is OCLP safe? and Is it worth it? before you decide. Then follow How to install OpenCore Legacy Patcher.

    Other options

    • Stay on Apple's last version and use a browser that still supports it (Chrome and Firefox support older macOS versions longer than Safari updates do).
    • Install Linux or ChromeOS Flex, which run well on many older Macs. See What to do with an old Mac.
    • Upgrade the hardware first. An SSD and more memory make any macOS version faster, patched or not.

    Common questions

    Is my Mac too old to update?

    Too old for Apple's newest version, probably; too old for a newer macOS, often not. If your Mac is from 2008 or later and has no T2 chip, OCLP can likely run a newer version. Check it above.

    Can I update a Mac without the App Store?

    Yes. Apple publishes direct download links for older macOS installers on its support site, and OCLP downloads installers directly from Apple's catalog.

    Why can't I update my old MacBook Air?

    Apple supports MacBook Air models for about seven years. A 2017 MacBook Air stops at Monterey. With OCLP it can run Sequoia and Tahoe. See MacBook Air 2017.

    Will updating make my old Mac slower?

    Newer macOS versions need more memory and a faster disk. With an SSD and 8 GB of memory, most 2012–2017 Macs run Sequoia comfortably; on a spinning hard drive any modern macOS feels slow.

    Keep going

    Mac compatibilityEvery Intel Mac and the macOS it can run, with and without OCLPHow to installThe complete step-by-step guide for OCLP 3.0What to do with an old MacEvery option for an old Mac, compared

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