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dortania/OpenCore-Legacy-Patcher

A Python patcher that installs and runs recent macOS releases on older, Apple-unsupported Macs built as early as 2007.

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What is it?

OpenCore Legacy Patcher builds on Acidanthera's OpenCorePkg and Lilu to let unsupported Macs run macOS Big Sur and newer, with support for Macs as old as 2007. It handles the bootloader setup, kext injection and system patches that these machines need, and it is driven by a Python application that guides the user through creating a bootable installer and patching the system.

Beyond basic booting, the project covers graphics acceleration for both Metal and non-Metal GPUs, Wi-Fi and Personal Hotspot on supported wireless chipsets, and native OTA system updates. It also unlocks features such as Sidecar and AirPlay to Mac on Macs that Apple already supports, and it enables SATA and NVMe power management for non-Apple storage.

Only clean installs and upgrades are supported, and the project is offered as-is with community support through a Discord server. Usage details and a full guide are provided in the project's documentation site.

Key features

  • 01Runs macOS Big Sur through Tahoe on Macs as old as 2007
  • 02Provides graphics acceleration for both Metal and non-Metal GPUs
  • 03Supports Wi-Fi and Personal Hotspot on selected wireless chipsets
  • 04Delivers native over-the-air system updates
  • 05Unlocks Sidecar and AirPlay to Mac on supported Macs

Use cases

  • Reviving an older Intel Mac that Apple no longer supports
  • Keeping a Penryn-or-newer Mac on a current macOS release
  • Reinstalling macOS on an unsupported machine while keeping user data

Quick start

  1. 1

    Read the in-depth guide

  2. 2

    Run from source (see SOURCE.md)

Things to know

  • Only clean installs and upgrades are supported; previously patched macOS Big Sur installs from other patchers cannot be used.
  • Official support covers macOS Big Sur through Tahoe; older OSes may work but are not supported by Dortania.
  • Project is offered as-is with no guaranteed support.

Topics

#macos#opencore#hackintosh#bootloader#legacy-hardware#python#big-sur#patcher

FAQ

What is OpenCore-Legacy-Patcher?
A Python patcher that installs and runs recent macOS releases on older, Apple-unsupported Macs built as early as 2007. OpenCore Legacy Patcher builds on Acidanthera's OpenCorePkg and Lilu to let unsupported Macs run macOS Big Sur and newer, with support for Macs as old as 2007. It handles the bootloader setup, kext injection and system patches that these machines need, and it is driven by a Python application that guides the user through creating a bootable installer and patching the system.
Is OpenCore-Legacy-Patcher free to use? What license does it have?
OpenCore-Legacy-Patcher is open source under the Other license. Check the license terms before using it in commercial products.
Is OpenCore-Legacy-Patcher still maintained?
Actively maintained. The last commit to OpenCore-Legacy-Patcher was on Oct 11, 2026.
What can I use OpenCore-Legacy-Patcher for?
Reviving an older Intel Mac that Apple no longer supports Keeping a Penryn-or-newer Mac on a current macOS release Reinstalling macOS on an unsupported machine while keeping user data
How do I install OpenCore-Legacy-Patcher?
Read the in-depth guide Run from source (see SOURCE.md)
Where can I get OpenCore-Legacy-Patcher?
The source code and installation instructions are on GitHub: https://github.com/dortania/OpenCore-Legacy-Patcher

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