Today marks the release of Mac OS Sonoma 14.0 to the public. Many of you are likely wondering about the status of the OpenCore Legacy Patcher. we’ll briefly overview its quality and the release schedule for version 1.0.0, a major feature release.
Sonoma Release and OpenCore Legacy Patcher Challenges
Before we dive in, it’s essential to heed some warnings before considering upgrading to Mac OS Sonoma. Sonoma was released on September 26 at noon Central Daylight Time, a bit earlier than expected, and this posed some challenges for the developers working on OpenCore Legacy Patcher, which ideally aims for day-one support.
Release Planning and Challenges
However, a detailed document by Dina K and Nicola on GitHub outlines the release planning and ongoing issues for OpenCore Legacy Patcher’s Sonoma support. The developer McCullough mentioned that they were initially hoping for an October release, aligning with Apple’s past releases, except for Big Sur, which came out in November. Ventura and Monterey were released in October, allowing developers more time to work on the Patcher. However, Sonoma’s early September release cut into the development time.
Major Feature Release: OpenCore Legacy Patcher 1.0.0
Nevertheless, the exciting news is that OpenCore Legacy Patcher’s major feature release, version 1.0.0, is set to launch on October 2, just a week away, providing primary support for Mac OS Sonoma. It’s crucial to note that version 0.6.8 does not support Mac OS Sonoma, so attempting a direct update could lead to numerous issues, as we’ll discuss later.
Expanded Support for Non-Metal Machines
Furthermore, OpenCore Legacy Patcher initially offered support for metal systems only, but in the past two weeks, they extended support to non-metal machines, albeit in the early stages. This is excellent news, particularly for users with 2011 and older Macs who felt left out. The developers have always had these machines in mind, and their inclusion is a testament to that commitment. Some Hackintosh-related work for Broadcom cards is also in progress, catering to Hackintosh enthusiasts.
Testing and Warnings
To experiment with Sonoma, you must use the beta version of OpenCore Legacy Patcher and the latest nightly build. However, waiting until the public release before considering Sonoma for your primary machine is essential.
Moving on to some warnings, if you have a Mac running OpenCore Legacy Patcher 0.6.8, you may see a tempting software update prompt for Sonoma. Please resist the urge to upgrade until the major support release 1.0.0 is out. Don’t even attempt it on your main machine. If you have a test Mac, you can try the nightly version, but it’s best to wait for production use.
Changes in Software Update Display
Apple has altered how updates are displayed in the Software Update section, expanding the department to include multiple updates, making it easier to miss the Mac OS Sonoma update. To find it, you’ll need to scroll down past all the fixes and features. This change applies not only to Sonoma but also to Monterey, Ventura, and Pixar. Keep a close eye on software updates and ensure you select the correct one.
Conclusion
With that said, this provides some clarity regarding Mac OS Sonoma and OpenCore Legacy Patcher. We’re just a week away from the major release.
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