Downloading macOS Mojave on Supported & Unsupported Models

[pigoo3]

As many of us know...the next version of the macOS is due to be released soon. Very likely macOS 10.15 (Catalina) will be released sometime October 2019.

We at Mac-Forums always like to remind everyone to download the latest version of the macOS ("Mojave" at this time)...if they haven't already...so that even if they aren't going to install Mojave right now...they will have the Mojave installer handy if & when they need it.

For Mac-Forum veterans you know the reason why this should be done...but if you're new to Mac's or the macOS upgrading process (or just aren't sure why this should be done)...here's why. When Apple releases a new version of the macOS...the previous/older version is removed from the Apple servers (App Store). When this happens...if you've never downloaded Mojave before...it will be unavailable to you.

If you haven't downloaded the macOS 10.14 Mojave installer already...and you want a copy of the macOS Mojave installer for possible future use...sometime soon would probably be a good time to do this (before macOS 10.15 Catalina is released October 2019).

Now here's a bit of a wrinkle for some users. With each release of a new macOS version...sometimes a bunch of Macintosh models are not compatible.

In this example for Mojave...the following list of Macintosh models are compatible with Mojave:

* MacBook (Early 2015 or newer)
* MacBook Air (Mid 2012 or newer)
* MacBook Pro (Mid 2012 or newer)
* Mac mini (Late 2012 or newer)
* iMac (Late 2012 or newer)
* iMac Pro (2017)
* Mac Pro (Late 2013; Mid 2010 and Mid 2012 models with recommended Metal-capable graphics cards)

If your Apple computer is not on this list...then it is not officially compatible with Mojave. If you go to the Apple App Store...and try to download Mojave with an Apple computer that is not Mojave compatible...the App Store will not allow you to download Mojave. So you're sort of stuck at this point.

Fortunately there's a work-around that allows unsupported Mac's to download the full Mojave installer...so you have it available later in case you ever need it.

To do this...check out the article linked below. It explains how you download a patcher tool...and from within the patcher tool...there's an option to download the full installer version of Mojave.

How to Download a Full Size MacOS Mojave Installer

If you read further in the article...it goes on to explain how to install Mojave on some unsupported Apple computer models. THIS IS NOT THE PURPOSE OF THIS MESSAGE. The main purpose of this message is to explain to members how to download a full installer version of Mojave on an unsupported Mac...since this is not possible directly from the Apple App Store.

I followed the procedure myself on my 2011 MacBook Pro (an unsupported macOS Mojave model)...all worked fine (now have the full 6gig Mojave installer).

- Nick

Warning: If you decide to attempt to install Mojave on an unsupported Apple computer...you do so at your own risk. The main purpose of using the patcher tool mentioned in this post...is it obtain a full installer of macOS Mojave for computer models that cannot download Mojave from the Apple App Store.

 

[Bill Gates Jr.]

I downloaded the macOS Mojave Patcher.app to a flash drive. My mid 2011 Mac would not me open it since it is from an unidentified developer. How can I get pass that?

 

[IWT]

@Bill Gates

I think the problem is that your iMac is not compatible with macOS Mojave.

The purpose of Admin Nick's post, as I understand it, was to advise people of a method by which they could acquire a bootable USB installer of macOS Mojave even though their Mac was not supported to run that OS.

It looks like you succeeded in doing this. Well done. But it will not install or be recognised by your iMac.

Ian

 

[Bill Gates Jr.]

First off, I did not realize that newer versions of an OSX could not be downloaded to older machines. I usually downloaded the latest as the App store recommended. Thanks for the post explaining that. Maybe that's why I was never prompted to download Mojave or Catalina. Didn't really pay attention to what I was running. I am running HS 10.13.6. (I assumed I was running Mojave and was holding out on downloading Catalina). HS works fine for my modest needs. Guess I am limited to that unless I purchase a newer iMac. I see no need to do that unless my iMac breaks down. Is there a time when HS will no longer be supported by Apple? Does Apple usually announce that ahead of time?

- - - Updated - - -

No, all I installed was the Mohjave patcher app. No need for Mojave now.

 

[chscag]

Is there a time when HS will no longer be supported by Apple? Does Apple usually announce that ahead of time?

Generally, Apple supports a version of macOS for approximately three years. However, Apple has been known to provide support for longer periods of time. Apple does not usually announce support-non support for versions of macOS, but they do announce that for their hardware.

 

[Bill Gates Jr.]

Thank you. Have a few more questions, so bear with me. 1) What do OSX HS users generally do after 3 years or so, buy new machines? 2) If Apple stops supporting HS does that mean HS may become more vulnerable to malware as time goes on? 3) I can buy a new machine easily, but HS works for my modest needs. 4) If I do buy a new iMac, who would possibly want to buy my older iMac since it is limited to HS? 5) When did HS first come out?

Pete

 

[pm-r]

1) What do OSX HS users generally do... ...

You don't need to worry about Apple dropping any "OSX HS" support, and I'm sure it'll be well supported even after you and I have passed on to another life.



- Patrick
======

 

[chscag]

Any version of macOS that gets out of date may be vulnerable to malware. Generally macOS has been safe from viruses that plague Windows but there are various forms of malware that can cause problems with older versions of macOS. However, the greatest threat to older versions of macOS is that newer apps may not be supported.

As far as selling your older Mac if you wish to buy a new one, you can always check eBay, Craig's List, and local sellers there in Vegas to see what the going prices are for your model.

 

[Slydude]

@Bill Gates Jr I don't think your problem is that it's an unsupported Mac. The purpose of that patch is to run Mojave on unsupported machines. To do that you have to be able to download it. If I recall correctly I used a 2008 MacBook Pro to download Mojave update.

I think your problem is that the Gatekeeper security protocol is keeping the patch program from running and completing the download. To fix that you have to temporarily disable Gatekeeper. That method requires a brief trip to Terminal. I think it can be done without using Terminal but I don't remember the specific steps.

 

[Rod]

Hi Pete, just to address your questions; 1. No, Mac users do not and do not need to buy new machines every three years or so because a 2011 device, such as my wife's old MBP, was quite capable of running macOS right up to High Sierra so it was upgradeable for about 7 years. Given that the average expected life span of a HDD is about 5 years that's pretty good.
2-3. Apple generally supports the two previous macOS, meaning High Sierra will be supported until the release of the next macOS, after Catalina. So if my wife had stuck with her old MBP it would still be supported by security updates until late 2020, just the same as yours. Thats a total of 9 years of support.
After the OS becomes unsupported you will not receive periodic security updates from Apple which may make your device more vulnerable over time to breaches, dependant on your personal security measures, browsing habits and maintenance. For example if you use a malware scanner, run on a VPN, use anti tracking extensions like Ghostery or only visit trusted web sites etc.
4. There are many uses for a working iMac other than browsing the internet. If the device is not intended to be the primary device for a buyer then security ceases to be an issue. It could be used for music library management and playback for example.
5. HS was released on September 25, 2017.

 

[IWT]

@Bill Gates Jr I don't think your problem is that it's an unsupported Mac. The purpose of that patch is to run Mojave on unsupported machines. To do that you have to be able to download it. If I recall correctly I used a 2008 MacBook Pro to download Mojave update.

I think your problem is that the Gatekeeper security protocol is keeping the patch program from running and completing the download. To fix that you have to temporarily disable Gatekeeper. That method requires a brief trip to Terminal. I think it can be done without using Terminal but I don't remember the specific steps.

Hi Sly

In a strange way I both agree and disagree with you

Where I agree is in regard to your statement about Gatekeeper and SIP.

But if you read Nick's Post #1, he said - and strenuously -

Fortunately there's a work-around that allows unsupported Mac's to download the full Mojave installer...so you have it available later in case you ever need it.

and -

If you read further in the article...it goes on to explain how to install Mojave on some unsupported Apple computer models. THIS IS NOT THE PURPOSE OF THIS MESSAGE. The main purpose of this message is to explain to members how to download a full installer version of Mojave on an unsupported Mac...since this is not possible directly from the Apple App Store.

He was not advocating the installation of macOS Mojave on an unsupported Mac - he was saying how you could download a full version of macOS Mojave and create a Bootable USB Installer on a Mac that could not officially run that OS.

Then use that Installer on an appropriate & supported Mac.

I was very clearly under the impression that member Bill Gates was aiming to do just that - and was not attempting to try it out on his mid-2011 iMac which cannot run macOS Mojave.

If I've misinterpreted Bill Gates' intention, then he can disable SIP via Terminal and use the Installer to try and get macOS Mojave on his unsupported iMac - entirely at his own risk - as numerous problems have been posted around the web following this approach.

Ian

 

[Slydude]

@Ian I think I didn't explain things as well as I could have.

I understood that the intent of Nick's post was to illustrate a method for downloading the installer on an unsupported Mac. I also understood that this is exactly what Bill Gates Jr wants to accomplish. In fact, IIRC the directions that Nick linked to appear to be the same ones I used to put Mojave on my MB Pro.

I made the comment that I did because the software mentioned in the article has to be able to run in order to complete the download. In other words, whether you intend to install the software is irrelevant. The download is accomplished by the installer and there is an opportunity to stop the process without installing.

Whether the goal is downloading only, or downloading and installation, you have to bypass Gatekeeper.

 

[Rod]

Just to put the cat amongst the pigeons there is a donation ware utility out there called, "macOS Mojave Patcher Tool for Unsupported Macs" which claims to be able to allow 2008 model onwards Macs to run Mojave.
Let me make it clear I am not promoting use of this utility on anything other than a test device. I am not in a position to test this utility myself so if anyone wanted to try it on a spare older Mac and was prepared to restore that device should everything go sideways it would be interesting to get some feedback about it's usefulness or lack of.

 

[Slydude]

Rod, it looks like then article Nick linked to ultimately has a link to the site with that tool.

J used that tool to put Mojave on a 2008 MacBook Pro (obviously unsupported). It's not an overly difficult process but it's not something for the faint of heart either. I started a thread summarizing the process and my experiences.

 

[Rod]

Cool, I'll check it out.

 

[Rod]

Sly, that is one great article and answers all my questions as well as demonstrating what you mean by, " it's not something for the faint of heart".

Lots of steps which I'm sure take less time to complete than it did for you to write them down. Ambiguity can be so difficult to avoid and I think you have done that very well.

Thank you so much for trying the tool out and documenting the process in plain English. You have answered the most important question, does it work?

Although it's of no practical use to me personally at the moment I'm sure it would be useful to many. Mojave was in my opinion one of the better macOS with few if any major bugs or glitches while still retaining the 32bit app option so important to some OP's.
I can see a lot of people sticking with Mojave especially if they have not already upgraded their portable devices to iOS/iPadOS 13 and even if they have.

If I had a fully functional 2008 MBP for example I would be very happy to upgrade to Mojave and stay there till the device expired.