How to Fix iMac Late 2013 27“ won’t boot from 3. Party SSD on macOS
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AWDL, Continuity and Location Services problems usually come from chipset support, kext pairing, privacy settings or network-location corruption. On Hackintosh systems, Location Services and Continuity depend on working Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AWDL and correct AirportItlwm or itlwm/HeliPort behaviour.
Quick Checks
- Backup current state: Save a copy of your working EFI and run a full system backup before changing settings.
- Identify hardware components: Note down your exact CPU, GPU, Wi-Fi card, and motherboard/laptop model.
- Ensure utility alignment: Keep OpenCore, OCLP, and ProperTree updated.
Fix Steps
- Create a rollback point: Make a Time Machine backup and keep a copy of your last working EFI folder before editing OpenCore, kexts or root patches.
- Confirm the exact chipset: Identify the Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Ethernet controller from System Information, Hackintool or Linux/Windows device manager.
- Use the correct network stack: Match AirportItlwm, itlwm, HeliPort, IntelBluetoothFirmware and BlueToolFixup to the exact macOS version.
- Reset macOS network state: Remove the current Wi-Fi service, reboot, add it again, then reconnect to a simple WPA2 network before testing advanced features.
- Check privacy permissions: Open System Settings and confirm Location Services, Maps, Weather and system services are enabled.
- Test Apple features separately: Verify normal internet first, then Bluetooth, then AirDrop/Continuity. Do not debug all three at the same time.
Do Not Continue If
- Do not continue if: you do not have a working EFI backup, a Time Machine backup, or another bootable macOS installer.
- Stop and capture evidence: if the machine stops booting, take a photo of the last verbose line before changing more settings.
Verify It Worked
- Maps can locate you without falling back to a stale location.
- Wi-Fi reconnects after reboot and sleep.
- Bluetooth remains available after a cold boot.
- Console no longer shows repeated wireless or location daemon errors.
Rollback
- Restore the previous EFI if Wi-Fi disappears completely.
- Switch from AirportItlwm to itlwm + HeliPort, or the reverse, if the issue is specific to one driver path.
- Use Ethernet or USB tethering while testing so you do not lose access to downloads.
Next Action
- Test now: reboot twice, reproduce the original problem, and confirm whether the same symptom returns.
- If it still fails: record the Mac model, macOS build, OpenCore or OCLP version, GPU, Wi-Fi/Bluetooth chipset, and the last visible error.
- Read next: use the related searches below for the nearest OpenCore or OCLP fix before making another change.
Related iATKOS Searches
- OpenCore · OCLP · EFI · kexts · config.plist · macOS troubleshooting
Original Question: "iMac Late 2013 27“ won’t boot from 3. Party SSD"
Hi guys, I got a free iMac Late 2013 27" that came with a HDD. I had to remove the hard disk for destruction. So I disassembled the iMac, installed a third party nvme ssd with adapter and realized that the firmware is too old to boot from. The hard drive was recognized by the Sonoma installer I created with OCLP, but the installer with the grey hdd icon did not show up even after many attempts.
I read on the internet that firmware can only be updated with original Apple SSDs. Luckily, I still had one lying around from a 2015 MacBook Pro that I successfully upgraded.
So I took the damn thing apart again, installed the original SSD and finally I was able to install Sonoma and boot normally. Now I have installed the third party ssd again and the same problem persists.
I actually wanted to use the Mac for Linux, but even there, I can't boot.
Please save me from wasting countless more hours. I hope you can help me.
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