How to Install macOS Sequoia on PC [Intel/AMD]
The following guide is a complete installation guide for installing a fresh copy of macOS Sequoia on PC. The post-installation has been covered in another section. The required tools and downloads are available at the forum.
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Overview
Apple announced its new macOS version i.e. macOS Sequoia (14.0) at WWDC23, which is the next major revision to its Operating System in the Macintosh lineup. As usual, a Developer Preview version will be available immediately for Developers who are enrolled in the developer program, and a Public Beta which is expected in July, coming this fall.
Although, macOS Sequoia is still in the beta phase, existing users running macOS Ventura or prior who wish to try out macOS Sequoia, can either upgrade or perform a clean installation on their systems. Please be advised that due to being in the beta phase, it may contain several bugs and that is why it is not recommended to use it as a daily driver. As this is a clean install guide, this method involves bootable USB creation and you'll not be able to preserve any files or system settings. Therefore, it is highly recommended to back up your files before proceeding. In addition, if you have a secondary system, it would be best to use that for trying out macOS Sequoia Beta. In case you do not have one, a spare drive will do the job. This is because on the new beta OS, it might be possible that there are potential bugs that can hamper your daily workflow on the system and unlike Windows, there is no rolling back while keeping your files and system settings.
If you plan to perform an upgrade, follow the guide linked below
[URL unfurl="true"]https://elitemacx86.com/threads/how-to-upgrade-directly-to-macos-sonoma-intel-amd.1265/[/URL]
Requirements
Before you start with this guide, here are a few requirements
- A compatible Hardware
- A compatible HDD or SSD (NVMe/PCIe/SATA SSD) for installation.
- A working Internet connection.
- A 16 GB or larger USB Flash Drive.
NOTE:
- A complete backup of your system. We advise you to perform a complete backup of your system along with the existing installation. In case something goes wrong, you can restore it using the backup you created.
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To start with the guide, you'll also need to have access to a fully functional computer running macOS Mojave or later. This requirement is must as you need to access to Mac App Store in order to download a copy of macOS and create an installation USB Flash Drive later on.
STEP 1: Back up your System
Before you proceed with the installation, we strongly recommend performing a full backup of your existing installation using Carbon Copy Cloner or Time Machine, or any other reliable backup/restore tool. In case the installation fails or you encounter any issues with the installation, you can always restore the system to its previous state using the backup you created.
STEP 2: Download macOS Sequoia
As macOS Sequoia is not officially released for the general public, but only for developers, you would need an Apple Developer Account along with the Software Enrollment to download a copy of macOS Sequoia. However, if you've not enrolled, you can download an official copy of macOS Sequoia directly from Apple Server using the guide linked below.
[URL unfurl="true"]https://elitemacx86.com/threads/how-to-download-macos-sonoma-without-developer-account.1253/[/URL]
NOTE:
- If you already have an Apple Developer Account, you can directly download the Beta Access Utility and can use it to download the Installer.
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If you want to download a DMG file, refer to the guide linked below.
[URL unfurl="true"]https://elitemacx86.com/threads/how-to-download-macos-sonoma-dmg-for-clean-install.1256/[/URL]
STEP 3: Create macOS Sequoia Bootable USB
Once you have obtained macOS Sequoia Installer, the next step is to create macOS Bootable USB. To create macOS Sequoia Bootable USB, refer to the guide linked below.
[URL unfurl="true"]https://elitemacx86.com/threads/how-to-create-macos-sonoma-bootable-usb-for-pc.1269/[/URL]
NOTE: The Bootable USB Creation guide involves preparing EFI and installing OpenCore to USB. If you have already followed the Bootable USB Creation guide, you shouldn't require STEPS #4 and #5. However, if you haven't or anyhow missed it, follow the steps accordingly.
STEP 4: Preparing OpenCore EFI
The next step is to prepare OpenCore EFI for booting the installer. Depending on your system, create the OpenCore EFI using the guide linked below. See Chapter 3.
[URL unfurl="true"]https://elitemacx86.com/threads/how-to-boot-macos-installer-on-desktops-and-laptops-using-opencore-uefi-legacy-opencore-install-guide.950/post-7588[/URL]
Once you're done with the EFI, you'll need to adjust some parameters which are required for booting macOS Ventura.
NOTES:
- The bootloader must be the latest. If you're using Clover, (v5152) or later and if you're using OpenCore (v0.9.3) and later is recommended. You can find the pre-built version of OpenCore in the attachment.
- Kexts must be the latest. The essential kexts are Lilu, VirtualSMC, WhateverGreen, and AppleALC. If you're using some other kext and an update is available, you should update that too. If you have used Xcode and know how to build kexts from source, build from the latest commit. Users who are new to Xcode can find the pre-built version of the essential kexts in the attachment. This is mandatory for the installation, ensuring the installer boots successfully and does not run into any problems.
- For AMD Systems, you also need to update the Kernel Patches.
- As Apple has dropped the support for older Mac Models (up to Skylake), you'll need to update the SMBIOS data to 2018 and later. See Setting Up SMBIOS for more information.
STEP 5: Install OpenCore to Bootable USB
Once your EFI is ready, the next step is to install OpenCore EFI to Bootable USB. See Chapter
[URL unfurl="true"]https://elitemacx86.com/threads/how-to-boot-macos-installer-on-desktops-and-laptops-using-opencore-uefi-legacy-opencore-install-guide.950/post-7612[/URL]
STEP 6: Setup BIOS/UEFI
Before you rush and try to boot using the USB Installer, you should set up your BIOS/UEFI first. To set up your BIOS, refer to the guide linked below
[URL unfurl="true"]https://elitemacx86.com/threads/bios-uefi-settings-for-macos-intel-amd.37/[/URL]
STEP 7: Boot the macOS Installer
After preparing your installation USB, EFI and setting up your BIOS/UEFI, you're ready to install it on your target PC.
1. Turn on your target System.
2. Boot to Boot Menu.
3. Select your USB Flash Drive with the UEFI Prefix and press enter to boot.
4. When at the OC Boot picker, select Install macOS 14 beta and press enter to boot. The installer will load in a while. If you have an existing version of macOS, the drive may appear in the OpenCore Boot picker.
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STEP 8: Installing macOS Sequoia
1. When at the installation screen, select your preferred language and continue
2. Select Disk Utility and click on Continue
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3. When at Disk Utility, Click on View, and then select Show all Devices.
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4. Now select the Hard Drive or SSD on which you want to install macOS and click on Erase button. Use the following parameters to erase your drive.
Name: Macintosh HD
Format: APFS
Scheme: GUID Partition Map
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5. Once the parameter is set, click on Erase button and the disk will be erased.
6. After easing the disk, click on Done and close Disk Utility. You can click on Show Details to verify if the USB has been erased with APFS format.
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NOTE: You must erase the whole target disk instead of any partition.
7. Select Install macOS 14 beta and click on Continue and then continue with the options.
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8. Now select Macintosh HD and click on Continue.
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Now, macOS Sequoia will begin installing to your selected disk.
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NOTES:
- Steps #4- #5 will format the target disk. Proceed with caution.
- This will take a couple of minutes and will restart at "Less than a minute is remaining". Upon completion, the system will automatically restart. Your Mac will restart to complete the installation.
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Here it ends the first phase of the installation.
9. When your PC restarts, it will automatically boot from macOS Installer to continue the next phase of the installation. If for any reason, the installer does not auto boot, select macOS Installer in the boot picker and then boot. The installation will continue and upon completion, your PC will automatically restart.
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10. Once again, your PC will restart. Upon restarting, it will automatically boot from macOS Installer to continue the installation. If for any reason, the installer does not auto boot, select macOS Installer in the boot picker and then boot. The installation will continue and upon completion, your PC will automatically restart.
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Once again, your PC will restart, and when your PC restarts, it will automatically boot from Macintosh HD to continue the last phase of the installation. You'll see something as shown below.
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STEP 9: Finishing macOS Setup
After finishing the macOS installation, it's time to set up the macOS for the first usage with the newly installed macOS.
When you're at the welcome screen, continue to set up with the basics options such as Keyboard setup, Network, Computer Account, and Privacy settings by following onscreen instructions.
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Now the installation is complete!
Enjoy macOS Sequoia on your PC 
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NOTES:
- The first boot may be slower as the caches are not built yet. Once the caches are built, it will boot normally.
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Related:
[URL unfurl="true"]https://elitemacx86.com/threads/common-problems-in-macos-sequoia-15-0-and-workarounds.1873/[/URL]
[URL unfurl="true"]https://elitemacx86.com/threads/macos-sequoia-pre-release.1863/[/URL]
