GUIDE How to Backup Clover or OpenCore EFI

How to Backup Clover or OpenCore EFI​

This guide describes how to backup Clover or OpenCore EFI for a latter use. By following this guide, you'll be able to backup Clover or OpenCore EFI for a latter use. The guide supports both, Clover and OpenCore bootloaders along with Legacy and UEFI boot.

STEP 1: Creating a Backup​

Legacy
1. Create a directory with the name Working EFI Backup to your preferred location.
2. Mount your ESP.
3. Copy the EFI from the ESP and place it to the same location that your created before for latter usage.


NOTE: To make the Legacy EFI bootable, you'll have to write to the desired disk.

UEFI​

If your system has UEFI support, and you have configured the EFI for UEFI boot, follow the steps below to backup your EFI:

1. Create a directory with the name Working EFI Backup to your preferred location.
2. Mount your ESP.
3. Copy the EFI from the ESP and place it to the same location that your created before for latter usage.

STEP 2: Creating a Bootable USB Flash Drive​

The next step is to create a bootable USB with the backed up EFI. Follow the steps below to create the bootable media:

If your USB Flash Drive is less than 128GB:

1. Insert your USB Flash Drive to your computer.
2. Open Disk Utility. The Disk Utility is located at /Applications/Utilities.
3. Click on View and then select Show All Devices:

4. Select your USB Flash Drive in the left pane and click on Erase button. A popup will appear asking you to erase the drive. Use the following parameters to erase your drive:

Name: EFI
Format: MS-DOS (FAT)
Scheme: Master Boot Record

5. Once erased, click on Done and close Disk Utility. You can click on Show Details to verify if the USB has been erased with HFS+ format.
6. Copy the backed up EFI to the root of the USB Flash Drive.
7. Once you're done with the copying, eject the USB Flash Drive.


If your USB Flash Drive is larger than 64GB, follow the steps below:

1. Insert your USB Flash Drive to your computer.
2. Open Disk Utility. The Disk Utility is located at /Applications/Utilities.
3. Click on View and then select Show All Devices:

4. Select your USB Flash Drive in the left pane and click on Erase button. A popup will appear asking you to erase the drive. Use the following parameters to erase your drive:

Name: EFI
Format: Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
Scheme: GUID Partition Map


NOTE: Do NOT use any other format other than Mac OS Extended (Journaled) to erase the USB.

5. Once erased, click on Done and close Disk Utility. You can click on Show Details to verify if the USB has been erased with HFS+ format.
6. Mount your ESP.
7. Copy the backed up EFI to the root of the USB Flash Drive.
8. Once you're done with the copying, eject the USB Flash Drive.

NOTE: If you already have an existing macOS Bootable, just mount the USB's ESP and replace the EFI with the working one.

 

[pro]

Off topic question.

Do you think you'll ever make another guide for using macOS inside of VMware using an AMD? The latest ISOs don't seem to work on there, and could only get Monterey to actually load, but everything so outdated. I've read a lot of guides and watched a bunch of YouTube videos but could never fix the problem. One ISO would give me the "Your computer restarted because of a problem" screen, while another would be stuck in a bootloop, and I can't figure it out for the life of me.

 

[EliteMacx86]

Off topic question.

Do you think you'll ever make another guide for using macOS inside of VMware using an AMD? The latest ISOs don't seem to work on there, and could only get Monterey to actually load, but everything so outdated. I've read a lot of guides and watched a bunch of YouTube videos but could never fix the problem. One ISO would give me the "Your computer restarted because of a problem" screen, while another would be stuck in a bootloop, and I can't figure it out for the life of me.

Are you referring to VMware ESXi or VMware Workstation?

The guide will be for both as soon as possible. Currently, don't have any ETA but hopefully anytime soon.

 

[pro]

Are you referring to VMware ESXi or VMware Workstation?

The guide will be for both as soon as possible. Currently, don't have any ETA but hopefully anytime soon.

I meant in regards to running the latest MacOS on VMWare Workstation with the use of AMD especially. It's definitely a daunting task to say the least, and I really look forward to reading your guide/ watching your YouTube video on it if you decide to make one.

 

[EliteMacx86]

I meant in regards to running the latest MacOS on VMWare Workstation with the use of AMD especially. It's definitely a daunting task to say the least, and I really look forward to reading your guide/ watching your YouTube video on it if you decide to make one.

Yes, its on the list and there will be a guide and video very soon.