GUIDE How to Install macOS Big Sur on Unsupported Mac mini [Mac mini3,1 to Mac mini6,2]

[EliteMacx86]

I used the same MacMini 3,1 the first time to create the Big Sur micropatch installer, but it is running Catalina from APFS with DosDude1 patcher. could that ne the culprit? Do I have to prepare the USB on yje same MacMini 3,1 but running a native supported OSX version?

That shouldn't be any issue unless the SMBIOS is changed.

 

[dalquest]

How to Install macOS Big Sur on Unsupported Mac mini

An EliteMacx86 Exclusive Guide - This guide covers a clean installation of macOS Big Sur on Unsupported Mac mini, unofficially.

Overview
Recently, Apple announced their new macOS lineup i.e macOS Big Sur 11.0 which is Apple's newest and most awaited OS. Mojave adding massive updates and improvements from its predecessor, High Sierra.

Packed with new features and functionality, the most noticeable update can be seen and experienced is the new GUI. Featuring a much more "iOS" look and feel and as smooth as butter. With each release of macOS, Apple remove supports for old hardware.

Unfortunately, with the the release of macOS Big Sur, Apple has officially dropped support for Mac mini 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. Luckily, for our users and readers though, we're going to provide you a complete installation guide step-by-step.

If you've made and attempt to install macOS Big Sur before reading this guide, you've probably been greeted with the prohibited or no-entry sign immediately after booting from the Big Sur installer.

With this in mind, you'll have to use other way to get macOS Big Sur on your unsupported Mac Pro. Previously, Dosdude, did an excellent job for running macOS on unsupported Macs. From macOS Sierra to Catalina. As there's no any work for macOS Big Sur from Dosdude, a thread is available by him which is linked below.

macOS 11 Big Sur on Unsupported Macs Thread

This thread will be used to discuss advancements in getting macOS 11.0 Big Sur running on unsupported Macs. --- Compatibility List: [/SPOILER] --- FAQ: Q: What does unsupported mean for my old Mac? A: Three problems: Apple locks you out from running the stock installer...

forums.macrumors.com

macOS Big Sur Compatibility
Mac mini (Late 2014) and later Mac mini models supports macOS Big Sur, natively. Refer to the chart below to confirm the compatibility of your Mac mini.

Model	SMBIOS	macOS Big Sur Support
Mac mini (Early 2006)	Macmini1,1
Mac mini (Mid 2007)	Macmini2,1
Mac mini (Late 2009)	Macmini3,1
Mac mini (Mid 2010)	Macmini4,1
Mac mini (Mid 2011)*	Macmini5,1*
Mac mini (Mid 2011)*	Macmini5,2*
Mac mini (Server, Mid 2011)*	Macmini5,3*
Mac mini (Late 2012)	Macmini6,1
Mac mini (Server, Late 2012)	Macmini6,2
Mac mini (Late 2014)	Macmini7,1	✔
Mac mini (Late 2018)	Macmini8,1	✔

= Completely unsupported in any means.

= Unofficially supported

✔ = Officially supported.

Note:

• *Requires a Metal-compatible GPU or there will no Graphics acceleration.

Have another Mac model and want to run macOS Big Sur? You can find the complete list of supported Mac models for macOS Big Sur and check whether your Mac model is listed. The compatibility list is linked below.

macOS Big Sur Compatibility List

macOS Big Sur Compatibility List Following are the list of compatible Mac models which supports macOS Big Sur. To upgrade your Mac to macOS Big Sur, check the guide below...

www.elitemacx86.com

Have another Unsupported Mac other than a Mac mini and want to run macOS Big Sur? Check out our exclusive installation guide for Unsupported Mac Pro and iMac below.

For Unsupported Mac Pro

GUIDE - How to Install macOS Big Sur on Unsupported Mac Pro [MacPro3,1, Mac Pro4,1 and MacPro5,1]

How to Install macOS Big Sur on Unsupported Mac Pro An EliteMacx86 Exclusive Guide - This guide covers a clean installation of macOS Big Sur on Unsupported Mac Pro, unofficially. The guide supports Mac Pro3,1, Mac Pro4,1 and MacPro5,1. Overview Recently, Apple announced their new macOS...

www.elitemacx86.com

For Unsupported iMac

GUIDE - How to Install macOS Big Sur on Unsupported iMac [iMac 8,1 to iMac14,3]

How to Install macOS Big Sur on Unsupported iMac An EliteMacx86 Exclusive Guide - This guide covers a clean installation of macOS Big Sur on Unsupported iMac, unofficially. Overview Recently, Apple announced their new macOS lineup i.e macOS Big Sur 11.0 which is Apple's newest and most awaited...

www.elitemacx86.com

Requirements
Before you start with this guide, here are the requirements for setting up macOS Big Sur on your unsupported Mac mini.

Mac mini	Late 2009, Mid 2010, Mid 2011, and Late 2012
Boot ROM Version	Latest Boot ROM available
USB Flash Drive	At least 16GB

If you meet the above requirements, you're good to go and can start with the guide.

The next steps are continued in the post #2 of this thread for continuing with the preparing and patching the USB installer.

This process worked great for me. Just take your time and carefully read through all the posts and you'll be up on Big Sur in no time. Thank you so much EliteMacx86.

 

[EliteMacx86]

This process worked great for me. Just take your time and carefully read through all the posts and you'll be up on Big Sur in no time. Thank you so much EliteMacx86.

Glad that you got it working on your Mac!
Enjoy

Is Graphics acceleration working for you?

 

[bubbagump210]

Running a Mid 2010 Mac Mini 4,1. I get to post #3 where I am to boot into the installer. The installer hangs and shows a graphic of a magic mouse indicating I should pair it. I'm using an old Logitec USB mouse. I suspect that USB 1.1 is not loaded as the micropatcher README mentions a --2010 switch. So either I missed a step or the guide missed a step. Any thoughts?

 

[EliteMacx86]

Running a Mid 2010 Mac Mini 4,1. I get to post #3 where I am to boot into the installer. The installer hangs and shows a graphic of a magic mouse indicating I should pair it. I'm using an old Logitec USB mouse. I suspect that USB 1.1 is not loaded as the micropatcher README mentions a --2010 switch. So either I missed a step or the guide missed a step. Any thoughts?

USB ports are patched at the time of post installation. Try another ports.

 

[bubbagump210]

USB ports are patched at the time of post installation. Try another ports.

I think you are missing my point. The installer is missing the necessary kexts to load the USB 1.1 drivers in the installer itself. Therefore one has no mouse or keyboard ability within the installer - so one can't even get to the point to install anything seeing as there is no mouse or keyboard. I think this tutorial needs a caveat for a 4,1 Mac Mini. To reference the Micropatcher README:

Late 2009 white MacBook, Late 2009 21.5" iMac, 2010 Mac Mini, (if equipped with Core 2 Duo) Late 2009 27" iMac: In addition to the features which don't work after initial installation on the 2011 13" MacBook Pros (Wi-Fi, sound, graphics acceleration, sleep, display brightness control), Ethernet and USB 1.1 also don't work. The --2010 option for patch-kexts.sh (step 15) installs fixes for Wi-Fi, sound, Ethernet, and USB, as well as drivers that enable the GeForce Tesla (9400M/320M) framebuffer (thereby fixing sleep and display brightness control). The framebuffer driver does not provide acceleration; the lack of graphics acceleration plus the relatively slow Penryn CPU means performance is sluggish. Also, the installation has to be performed on a newer Mac first (basically a 2010 or newer Mac, or a 2009 or later Mac Pro), with patch-kexts.sh --2010 run on that same newer Mac, then moved over to the old Mac (via either a hard drive/SSD transplant or by using a USB enclosure or USB hard drive/SSD). Otherwise, the installer will boot because USB 2.0 works, but the keyboard and trackpad won't work because USB 1.1 doesn't work. USB support in the installer for these Macs is planned for a future patcher release.

 

[EliteMacx86]

I think you are missing my point. The installer is missing the necessary kexts to load the USB 1.1 drivers in the installer itself. Therefore one has no mouse or keyboard ability within the installer - so one can't even get to the point to install anything seeing as there is no mouse or keyboard. I think this tutorial needs a caveat for a 4,1 Mac Mini. To reference the Micropatcher README:

Yes, then OC is the go.