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Install guide

How to install macOS with OpenCore Legacy Patcher

Follow the same order the patcher expects: create the installer, build OpenCore, boot from EFI, install macOS, then apply the patches your Mac needs.

Download OCLP Check compatibility
The OCLP app is the starting point for creating installers and building OpenCore.

Recommended USB size

The installer docs recommend a 32GB USB drive for newer Sonoma and Sequoia installers because 16GB may not fit the installer and patches.

Configurations are hardware specific

If building OpenCore for a different Mac, select the target model in Settings before building.

Post-install is required

Many Macs need root patches after booting into the new macOS install.

On this page

Installation steps

  1. Step 1

    Download OpenCore Legacy Patcher

    Get the app from the release page and open it on a supported base OS.

  2. Step 2

    Create the macOS installer

    Choose Create macOS Installer, download the target macOS installer, then write it to a USB drive. The entire USB drive will be formatted.

  3. Step 3

    Build and install OpenCore

    Select Build and Install OpenCore, build the hardware-specific configuration, then install OpenCore to the USB EFI or target drive.

  4. Step 4

    Boot through EFI

    Restart while holding Option, select EFI Boot with the OpenCore icon, then choose Install macOS in the OpenCore picker.

  5. Step 5

    Finish macOS setup

    Install macOS like a normal macOS installation. If setup loops after a reboot, hold Option again, select EFI Boot, and choose the macOS Installer or target disk entry.

  6. Step 6

    Apply post-install volume patches

    After booting the installed system, run OCLP and install root patches for graphics, WiFi, Bluetooth, camera, USB, Touch Bar, and other affected hardware.

Choose Create macOS Installer when preparing USB media.
OCLP can list available macOS installers for download.
Build OpenCore after the installer is ready.
When the build completes, install OpenCore to the selected EFI target.

Disk and erase warnings

If you use a brand-new disk, the boot guide says to choose View > Show All Devices in Disk Utility and format the entire disk to avoid a missing internal EFI later. For T1 Macs installing Sonoma or newer, do not erase the entire drive if you need to preserve T1 functionality; erase only the operating system volume.

Backup required

USB creation and macOS installation can erase disks. Verify every selected disk before formatting.

Select the downloaded installer before writing it to USB.
OCLP will format the selected USB drive during installer creation.
Hold Option and select EFI Boot to start through OpenCore.
After EFI Boot, choose the macOS installer or installed macOS volume in OpenCore.

Post-install root patching

Post-install volume patches restore support for hardware that newer macOS versions no longer support natively. Root patches can include graphics drivers, WiFi, Bluetooth, Touch Bar or T1 drivers, built-in camera drivers, USB 1.1 drivers, and other compatibility patches.

  • Root patches are wiped by macOS updates and must be reinstalled after updates.
  • Some Sequoia systems may require MetallibSupportPkg during root patching.
  • AMD legacy GCN GPUs on Ventura or newer may require Apple's Kernel Debug Kit through KDKSupportPkg.
Check patch status after the installed system boots.
Reboot after root patching completes.

Install support pages

Update guide

Prepare OCLP, OpenCore, and root patches before macOS updates.

macOS versions

Choose the right target before creating a USB installer.

Troubleshooting

Resolve common boot, app, root patch, and update issues.

Uninstall

Understand how to revert root patches and remove OpenCore.