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Guide: Step-by-Step Installation of macOS Sonoma 14.7.2 on Hackintosh

macOS Sonoma 14.7.2 is currently in pre-release, and installing it on a Hackintosh requires some adjustments, as it may not be as compatible with all hardware out of the box. Below is a step-by-step guide to help you get macOS Sonoma running on your Hackintosh, using the latest beta version.

Prerequisites:

• Compatible Hardware (Intel or AMD CPU, supported motherboard, GPU, etc.)
• A USB drive (16GB or larger) for the installer
• OpenCore or Clover bootloader (OpenCore is recommended for the best compatibility)
• macOS Sonoma 14.7.2 Full Installer (Using NR {censored} for the latest beta installer)
• Required Kexts:
  • Lilu.kext
  • WhateverGreen.kext
  • VirtualSMC.kext
  • AppleALC.kext (for audio support)
  • USBInjectAll.kext (if you are experiencing USB issues)

Step 1: Prepare Your USB Drive

1. Download macOS Sonoma 14.7.2:

   • Use NR {censored} to download the latest macOS Sonoma beta installer.
   • Alternatively, you can use the "FullInstaller App" via other trusted sources, but note the possible version discrepancies mentioned.

2. Format the USB Drive:

   • Connect your USB drive (at least 16GB) and format it using Disk Utility:
     • Select Mac OS Extended (Journaled) format.
     • Set GUID Partition Map.

3. Create the macOS Installer:

   • Open Terminal and use the following command to create a bootable macOS installer on the USB:

   bash
   Copy code
   sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Sonoma\ 14.7.2.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/YourUSB
   

   • Replace /Volumes/YourUSB with the actual name of your USB drive.

Step 2: Set Up OpenCore Bootloader (Recommended)

1. Download OpenCore:

   • Download the latest version of OpenCore from the official GitHub repository.

2. Prepare the EFI Partition:

   • Mount the EFI partition of the USB drive using a tool like MountEFI.
   • Copy the OpenCore EFI folder to the EFI partition of the USB.

3. Configure OpenCore:

   • Open the config.plist using a tool like ProperTree.
   • Add your system’s specific information (CPU model, SMBIOS, etc.) and ensure it matches the version of macOS you're installing (e.g., MacBookPro18,1 for Intel 11th gen).

4. Add Kexts to the EFI:

   • Place the necessary kexts inside the EFI/OC/Kexts folder:
     • Lilu.kext
     • WhateverGreen.kext
     • AppleALC.kext
     • VirtualSMC.kext
     • USBInjectAll.kext (if needed)

Step 3: Configure config.plist

1. Configure Device Properties:

   • Open config.plist in ProperTree.
   • Add the required device properties for your CPU, GPU, and USB devices. For example:

   xml
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   <key>PciRoot(0x0)/Pci(0x2,0x0)</key>
   <dict>
       <key>AAPL,ig-platform-id</key>
       <data>BwCbPg==</data> <!-- For Intel graphics -->
       <key>framebuffer-patch-enable</key>
       <data>AAEAAQ==</data>
   </dict>
   

2. Add Boot Arguments:

   • For Intel-based systems, add the following boot arguments:

     xml
     Copy code
     <key>boot-args</key>
     <string>-v dart=0 npci=0x3000</string>
     

   • This enables verbose mode (-v), disables VT-d (dart=0), and ensures PCI bus enumeration works correctly (npci=0x3000).

Step 4: Boot From USB

1. Restart Your PC and enter the BIOS settings.
2. Disable Secure Boot and enable AHCI for storage devices.
3. Set the USB Drive as the First Boot Device.
4. Boot into OpenCore (or Clover if you prefer), and choose the macOS Sonoma Installer.

Step 5: Install macOS Sonoma 14.7.2

1. Select the Target Disk:

   • Choose the disk where you want to install macOS Sonoma.
   • Format the disk (make sure it's set to APFS).

2. Proceed with the Installation:

   • Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.
   • The system will restart several times during installation.

Step 6: Post-Installation (Optional)

1. Install Additional Kexts (if necessary):

   • Install any additional kexts needed for Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or audio.
   • Add these kexts to the EFI/OC/Kexts folder and update the config.plist if necessary.

2. Configure Your Bootloader for Automatic Boot:

   • In OpenCore’s config.plist, ensure that the Booter section is configured to automatically boot into macOS after installation.

Final Thoughts

Installing macOS Sonoma 14.7.2 on a Hackintosh can be tricky, especially with pre-release versions. However, using the latest tools like OpenCore and configuring the right kexts should make the process smoother. If you face kernel panics or other issues, check your config.plist and make sure all hardware is supported.

Good luck, and make sure to back up your system if you're running a production environment!