Apple’s Intel era ends with macOS Tahoe, as it is the last system version that can still run on at least some Intel Macs. However, macOS 27 will then require an M-Mac – and with macOS 28 even Rosetta for running x86 apps will disappear. At the same time, a well-known project that has attracted attention in recent years is also coming to an end. OpenCore Legacy Patcher made it possible to install macOS versions that are no longer officially supported on the respective Intel Mac. Now there has been an announcement about the future of the OCLP. No more donations possible
We will no longer accept new donations and will also refund all donations from the last 30 days. The reason for this is obvious, because according to Tahoe the future of the project is uncertain. Relevance could arise again as soon as Apple no longer provides the first M-Macs with updates, but we don’t know when that will happen for the first time. In addition, it is impossible to say whether a patcher would then be feasible at all.
Team shrank
However, the project is not facing immediate cancellation, as the team expressly emphasizes that they will continue to work on Tahoe support. However, several developers have left the team, which has slowed down progress – and Tahoe has created additional hurdles with recent changes. That’s why no OCLP update for Tahoe is currently being promised. It’s just a hobby project with voluntary participation, which is why everyday life has to take priority.
An ambitious project – with many hurdles
On paper, it always sounded like great freedom to install current macOS versions even on ancient systems. In practice this often worked quite well, but not smoothly. However, the limits were always where Apple intervened deeply in the system architecture. The more drivers, graphics systems, security mechanisms or startup processes changed, the more difficult it became to provide a stable patcher. In addition, certain functions often only worked to a limited extent or not at all on old hardware. OCLP was able to circumvent a lack of support in many ways, but was not able to completely eliminate every technical hurdle.
