macOS Catalina Patcher

Name: macOS Catalina Patcher
Rating: 4.4615 (20 reviews)

Version 1.4.7

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Free

Absolutely Free

Download (221.6 MB)

macOS Catalina Patcher overview

macOS Catalina Patcher lets you install macOS Catalina on Mac computers that are no longer officially supported. It can help you create a bootable USB drive that can be used to install macOS Catalina on Mac computers older than mid 2012.

Important disclaimer

MacUpdate team strongly suggests not to install macOS Catalina if you only have one computer or if it is your main machine. Also consider creating a Time Machine backup before proceeding with an installation and look through System Compatibility section. Do not attempt to install macOS Catalina on computers that are in the Not Supported list.

Important Info

APFS BootROM Support: If you have a machine that supports High Sierra natively, you MUST ensure you have the latest version of the system's BootROM installed. If you have NOT previously installed High Sierra, you can download and install this package to install the latest BootROM version. When installing, ensure your system is plugged in to power, or the update will not be installed.

System Compatibility

Early-2008 or newer Mac Pro, iMac, or MacBook Pro:

MacPro3,1
MacPro4,1
MacPro5,1
iMac8,1
iMac9,1
iMac10,x
iMac11,x (systems with AMD Radeon HD 5xxx and 6xxx series GPUs will be almost unusable when running Catalina.)
iMac12,x (systems with AMD Radeon HD 5xxx and 6xxx series GPUs will be almost unusable when running Catalina.)
MacBookPro4,1
MacBookPro5,x
MacBookPro6,x
MacBookPro7,x
MacBookPro8,x

Late-2008 or newer MacBook Air or Aluminum Unibody MacBook:

MacBookAir2,1
MacBookAir3,x
MacBookAir4,x
MacBook5,1

Early-2009 or newer Mac Mini or white MacBook:

Macmini3,1
Macmini4,1
Macmini5,x (systems with AMD Radeon HD 6xxx series GPUs will be almost unusable when running Catalina.)
MacBook5,2
MacBook6,1
MacBook7,1

Early-2008 or newer Xserve:

Xserve2,1
Xserve3,1

Machines that ARE NOT supported:

2006-2007 Mac Pros, iMacs, MacBook Pros, and Mac Minis: MacPro1,1 MacPro2,1 iMac4,1 iMac5,x iMac6,1 iMac7,1 MacBookPro1,1 MacBookPro2,1 MacBookPro3,1 Macmini1,1 Macmini2,1

The 2007 iMac 7,1 is compatible if the CPU is upgraded to a Penryn-based Core 2 Duo, such as a T9300.

2006-2008 MacBooks:

MacBook1,1
MacBook2,1
MacBook3,1
MacBook4,1

2008 MacBook Air (MacBookAir 1,1)

Known Issues

AMD/ATI Radeon HD 5xxx and 6xxx series graphics acceleration: Currently, it is not possible to achieve full graphics acceleration under Catalina on any machines that use a Radeon HD 5xxx or 6xxx series GPU. If you have a machine with one of these GPUs installed, I'd advise upgrading it if possible (can be done in 2010/2011 iMacs, iMac11,x-12,x), disabling the dedicated GPU if using a 2011 15" or 17" MacBook Pro (MacBookPro8,2/8,3, instructions to do so can be found here), or not installing Catalina. Running Catalina without full graphics acceleration will result in extremely poor system performance.
2008 Mac Pro 3,1 AMD GPU Support: FIXED as of Catalina Patcher 1.2.0.

Tutorial Video

What’s new in version 1.4.7

Updated on Sep 11 2022

Reverted and improved Library Validation Disabler patch
Fixed issue where built-in installer downloading implementation may not download the latest Catalina installer

Information

License

Free

Size

221.6 MB

Developer’s website

https://github.com/dosdude1/macos-catalina-patcher

Downloads

38771

App requirements

Intel 64
Mac OS X 10.6 or later

0.0

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Comments
User Ratings

rolfbron

Nov 7 2022

1.4.7

Version: 1.4.7

DosDude did a great job here again! My mid 2009 Macbook pro (with SSD, 8GB Ram running High Sierra patched) is running Catalina now without a problem. Making the installer disk was a breeze, and everything went smooth. The installer's disk utility converted my SSD to AFPS without data loss. There is a problem when you upgrade with Google Chrome not starting up, but that can be fixed by running terminal: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/macos-10-15-catalina-on-unsupported-macs.2183772/page-383?post=28325409#post-28325409 Thanks!

brokercl

Sep 20 2022

double-click on patch and nothing happend, mac late 2011

rrcuonline

Feb 5 2022

1.4.4

Version: 1.4.4

I tested out on two devices: 2009 (MBP 13") and 2012 MacPro 6C (metal GPU). Great that you can boot in Catalina but.... 1) Wifi card not usable on BOTH devices - only hotspot working 2) Google Chrome cannot load 3) MS365 struggles to load without first reporting issues and 2nd time round, would then open up the applications 4) Most "essential" Apple apps works The only advantage for me is that this patcher would enable MS365 support/updates on old devices beyond Mojave. Losing wifi capability is a user choice because you can still hardwire ethernet to the devices. The patcher is therefore a "give-n-take". I have not read anywhere people losing their wifi firmware support. Great idea and patch work for Catalina boot for non-supportive macs.

anna-warrington

Nov 10 2021

Currently: Mojave, 10.14.6 Mac pro - mid 2012 Processor: 2 x 3.46 Ghz 6-core Intel Xeon memory : 128GB 1333 Mhx DDR3 Startup disk SSD Graphics : Radeon RX 580 8 GB I have got so far: created the USB Bootable Installer ok. However, I am unable to get the discs connected showing on start up. I held down the Option key when the chimes sound - but nothing happens - screen stays black. If I let go the Opt key, it boots as normal. What am I missing?

hdmtnryder-1

Jun 27 2021

It worked on my mid 2011 mac, but it has virtually crippled the functioning of the graphics card, and slowed it to a crawl. Anyone know how to reverse the process? I don't really want to buy a new machine.

herwigevenepoel

May 3 2021

How do I apply that Bootrom support package if disk has been erased?

aliariai91

Aug 29 2020

i have a macbook pro 17" late 2011 , when i installing macos catalina patcher, its begin to warm up, but when i installing macos mojave patcher its not warming , i dont know whats the problem

Joe Deep

Jun 6 2020

I have a IMAC end 2011 (OS High Sierra).When starting the installation of the patch I have the msg that my Apple is not compatibel for Catalina. But I see in reviews that mac's from 2007 accept the patch.What's wrong ??

patrickfridh

Jun 2 2020

5.0

Saves my computer for another few years, lovely. And I bought the latest Logic Pro X release too so Apple you got something too.

Cannot install on my mac high-sierra

cgsquash

May 31 2020

Simple smooth installed with no issues on my 2011 MacBook Pro

peterbreis

4.0

My iMac 27" mid 2011 will be "almost unusable" due its AMD Radeon 6770M GPU so that simplified the choice for me. Seems that category does take in most of the potential audience for this patch. I do commend the author's initiative for making this available for the Mac users who can take advantage of the patch. I do NOT commend Apple for putting its much abused customers in the situation where they desperately look to such solutions. It's not like the customers demanded the hugely expensive crap GPU's, Fusion Drives and lack of vital ports that make sticking with Apple as much of a curse as a blessing. It is as though Apple, when it isn't treating its customers with utter contempt, is testing them for just how much they are willing to take before quitting. I haven't bought a Mac from Apple in almost 10 years and whilst I am periodically tempted, Apple does more than enough to convince me that it doesn't want to sell me another Mac.

Cattus-Thraex

May 30 2020

I do not see any reason for not granting the author five stars. Catalina is now running on my mid 2011 mini.

nathanaelrouillard

May 18 2020

1.4.3

3.0

Version: 1.4.3

Mostly works. However Brave browser no longer loads, and Zoom doesn't play back the video from my iSight on my 2009 iMac. It is unclear if that is due to the install, or baseline incompatibility between Catalina and my hardware.

Dominikhoffmann

Apr 28 2020

It looks like this package is very well maintained. I have also been impressed with how seamless all the patches that make the older hardware work with Catalina have been integrated. This developer obviously has very deep insight into how macOS Catalina works down to details.

Dannymontani

Apr 8 2020

1.4.1

Version: 1.4.1

Hmmm. Does anyone know if this will work with my mid 2007 MacPro....the one you couldn't run Maverics and higher on? It would be so helpfull. Or is there a version that is not Catalina, say Sierra even. Thanks.

OhEssex

Mar 30 2020

1.3.5

Version: 1.3.5

The security concerns I have with the depth of what's possible with software like this kind of scares me. The fact that it's free also plays into that somewhat...

Barry5p

Mar 26 2020

1.3.4

Version: 1.3.4

Have been using this Patcher for years now on my Mac 3,1 and it still runs the latest Mac OS Catalina. Thank you dosdude you are a genius.

Krupnix

I have used macOS Mohave patcher for several months and have nothing but good to say for the developer (dosdude1) who saved my 2008 Mac Pro from obsolescence. I run intensive Audio Production software and it all works without a hitch. (The only thing I can't do is the AppStore because of my choice in harddisk formatting). As far as I'm concerned the developer is doing the Apple community a massive service and gets a ton of gratitude from me. I am writing this because the Catalina Patcher has replaced the Mohave Patcher on MacUpdate and for hardware reasons I will not be updating to Catalina, but I wanted to reassure anyone who is feeling uncertain about whether it is worth it, for me, dosdude1's patch has been a lifesaver (as anyone who has glanced at the new Mac Pro price tag can understand.) Don't be afraid of saving your Mac from Apple's unnecessary obsolescence. I couldn't be happier.