Updating a patched Mac

#The update order

1. Update the OCLP app

   Recent versions check for updates and show the changelog. Accept, or download the newest OpenCore-Patcher.pkg from GitHub. After updating, the app asks whether to update OpenCore and the root patches: choose Yes unless you want to change settings first.

2. Rebuild and install OpenCore

   Build and Install OpenCore, then install to the internal disk. This brings the bootloader and its kexts up to the new version. Settings you change in the app only apply after this step.

3. Update macOS

   Minor update: Software Update. Major upgrade: make a USB installer in OCLP and boot it through OpenCore; do not erase the disk in Disk Utility if you want to keep your data. Major upgrades from Software Update may work but Dortania does not recommend them.

4. Re-apply root patches

   After the update, OCLP prompts you, or open Post-Install Root Patch and click Start Root Patching. Graphics, Wi-Fi and audio may not work until you do.

#Turn off automatic downloads

Apple changed how updates work: a downloaded update is already being staged onto the system volume. On a patched Mac that can leave the system between two versions, which OCLP detects as “build version mismatch” and refuses to patch. Dortania strongly recommends turning off automatic downloads:

• Ventura and newer: System Settings > General > Software Update > the (i) button next to Automatic Updates > turn off Download new updates when available.
• Big Sur and Monterey: System Preferences > Software Update > Advanced > turn off Download new updates when available.

From Sequoia 15.4, macOS asks again after each update; decline each time.

#Wait a few days

Apple sometimes changes something that breaks a patch. Dortania advises waiting a few days after a macOS update to see whether patches still work, and checking the OCLP releases before updating.

#Check what you are running

> nvram 4D1FDA02-38C7-4A6A-9CC6-4BCCA8B30102:opencore-version
> nvram 4D1FDA02-38C7-4A6A-9CC6-4BCCA8B30102:OCLP-Version

Or in the app: Settings > App > Booted Information. The root patch status and date are in Post-Install Root Patch.

#Why macOS updates are so large

Root patching breaks the seal of the system volume. macOS then treats the volume as damaged and downloads a full copy of macOS for each update instead of a small delta (Dortania FAQ). Expect 10 GB or more per update.

#Common questions

Something wrong or out of date on this page?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