While installing Mac OS X on a PC is a tricky process in itself, updating your 'Hackintosh' can be another challenge altogether. Apple rolls out system updates periodically, and if you want your Hackintosh to be running the latest and greatest versions of OS X, you're going to have to deal with these system updates at least a few times each year. While most of these updates are relatively harmless, every new version of Mac OS X has to potential to cause new problems with your hardware. This guide is here to help.
- Combo Update El Capitan Update
- Update El Capitan To Sierra
- El Capitan Os X Download
- El Capitan Combo Update
UPDATE (December 6, 2015): This guide is aimed at Hackintoshes that use Chimera or Chameleon bootloader to run Mac OS X. If your Hackintosh runs OS X 10.11 (aka 'El Capitan') or newer, it most likely uses Clover bootloader, which allows you to simply update OS X from the Mac App Store with relatively little trouble.
This comprehensive guide includes everything you need to know about Apple's OS X El Capitan, including features, requirements, upgrade options, software updates, and more. OS X 10.11.4 Combo Update Download Links. Finally, Mac users running earlier releases to OS X EL Capitan will find Security Update 2016-002 and Safari 9. A list of OS X 10.11 El Capitan 'combo' updates OS X 10.11 Combo Updates For more information on the difference between normal and 'combo' updates including recommended instructions for installing updates see this article. OS X 10.11.6 Combo Update; OS X 10.11.5 Combo Update; OS X 10.11.4 Combo Update; OS X 10.11.3 Combo Update.
1. Do your research
First and foremost, you need to do your research every time you update Mac OS X on a Hackintosh. Unless you have backed up your entire hard drive, you should never install a major Mac OS X system update on the first day of its release. Instead, it is best to wait a few days for the Hackintosh 'community' to test the update first.
The simplest source for keeping up to date with news on Mac OS X updates is tonymacx86.com. Every time there is a major system update, the administrators on tonymacx86 will make a news post on the front page of their website. As the community learns more about a particular system update, this news post will list all relevant information about the update in a convenient and sequential manner.
Most updates won't cause any major problems. However, there are always exceptions-- for instance, the OS X 10.8.2 update broke a hardware monitoring kext that caused certain Hackintoshes to become unbootable.
2. Install the combo update
There are two main ways to install a Mac OS X system update. The first method is to update your computer directly through the Mac App Store. However, this method is generally not recommended, as it doesn't give you a large measure of control over the updating process.
Instead, the preferred method of updating a Hackintosh is to install a 'combo update'. Combo updates are standalone installers for Mac OS X system updates, available for download from the official Apple website. The easiest way to find a combo update is to directly search for it through Google. For instance, if you're looking for the combo update to Mac OS X 10.8.4, simply search '10.8.4 combo update'. The official page from Apple tends to be the first search result. Alternatively, you can find a link to the combo update on tonymacx86-- the news post for each system update includes a download link to the combo update.
Once you have downloaded a combo update from the Apple website, simply open the downloaded DMG file, and run the PKG installer inside. This installation process will take a few minutes-- once the installer finishes, it will ask you to reboot. Don't reboot! There's no need to reboot yet. Instead, proceed to the next step.
NOTE: Another advantage of a combo update is that it allows you to skip intermediary updates. For instance, if you're running OS X 10.8.0 and want to update to OS X 10.8.4, all you have to do is install the OS X 10.8.4 combo update. You won't need to install the updates for 10.8.1, 10.8.2, or 10.8.3-- the combo update handles all of it for you.
3. Reinstall your drivers
A system update will probably overwrite a few of your Hackintosh's drivers. After installing the combo update, you'll need to reinstall these drivers. You can do this by re-running Multibeast (or whatever driver installation package you prefer).
Not everything will be affected-- for instance, you probably won't need to reinstall your bootloader, except for really big updates (such as the jump from Mavericks to Yosemite). However, you will have to reinstall the following every time you update Mac OS X:
- Audio drivers: This is the most common problem. If you're using a patched version of the AppleHDA audio kext, you will have to reinstall it every time you update. You won't have to reinstall your audio drivers if you're using the VoodooHDA audio kext.
- Patched AppleIntelCPUPowerManagement: If you're using a patched version of AICPM to enable sleep mode and speed-stepping on your computer, you need to reinstall it every time you update. However, every new version of Mac OS X requires a new patched version of AICPM, so you'll probably want to hold off from updating your Hackintosh until Multibeast is updated appropriately.
- TRIM Enabler: If you're using TRIM Enabler to enable TRIM on your computer's solid state drive, you need to reinstall it every time you update. However, every new version of Mac OS X requires a new version of TRIM Enabler, so you'll probably want to hold off from updating your Hackintosh until Multibeast is updated appropriately.
- SleepEnabler: If you're using SleepEnabler.kext to enable sleep mode on your computer, you'll need to reinstall it every time you update. However, every new version of Mac OS X requires a new version of SleepEnabler (Multibeast doesn't include SleepEnabler, so you'll need to find an updated version by yourself).
- Graphics drivers: If you have personally edited the built-in graphics drivers on your Hackintosh to work with your graphics card, you'll have to re-edit those drivers every time you update. If you installed official graphics drivers from NVIDIA, hold off from updating until NVIDIA releases a new version of those drivers.
macOS Big Sur elevates the most advanced desktop operating system in the world to a new level of power and beauty. Experience Mac to the fullest with a refined new design. Enjoy the biggest Safari update ever. Discover new features for Maps and Messages. And get even more transparency around your privacy.
Check compatibility
macOS Big Sur is compatible with the following computers. If your Mac isn't compatible, you might be able to install an old version of macOS instead.
MacBook introduced in 2015 or later
MacBook Air introduced in 2013 or later
MacBook Pro introduced in late 2013 or later
Mac mini introduced in 2014 or later
iMac introduced in 2014 or later
iMac Pro
Mac Pro introduced in 2013 or later
View the complete list of compatible computers.
If upgrading from macOS Sierra or later, your Mac needs 35.5GB of available storage to upgrade. If upgrading from an earlier release, your Mac needs up to 44.5GB of available storage. To upgrade from OS X Mountain Lion, first upgrade to OS X El Capitan, then upgrade to macOS Big Sur.
Download macOS Big Sur
If you're using macOS Mojave or later, get macOS Big Sur via Software Update: Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Software Update.
Combo Update El Capitan Update
Or use this link to open the macOS Big Sur page on the App Store: Get macOS Big Sur. Then click the Get button or iCloud download icon.
Install macOS Big Sur
After downloading, the installer opens automatically. Click Continue and follow the onscreen instructions.
Update El Capitan To Sierra
Please allow installation to complete without putting your Mac to sleep or closing its lid. During installation, it might restart and show a progress bar or blank screen several times. You might find it easiest to begin installation in the evening so that it can complete overnight, if needed.
El Capitan Os X Download
Stay up to date
El Capitan Combo Update
After installing macOS Big Sur, you will be notified when updates to macOS Big Sur are available. To check for updates, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Software Update.