GUIDE How to use macOS Internet Recovery using OpenCore

[EliteMacx86]

How to use macOS Internet Recovery using OpenCore​

Method #1: Using macOS

What is Internet Recovery?​

Mac devices have a feature where you can use a recovery image of a particular macOS version to install a fresh copy of required macOS version. However,

macOS Recovery is a built-in recovery system on real Mac systems. You can use the macOS Recovery on a Mac to perform several functions such as repairing the internal storage device, reinstall macOS, set security options, and even restore the files using Time Machine backup. During the macOS installation, a recovery partition is automatically created on the disk macOS is installed on. In case if the macOS does not exists on the system (such as when you install a new drive or if the drive is faulty or is corrupt), you can still install a fresh copy of supported macOS version using the internet recovery feature. It should be noted that re-installing macOS requires an internet connection. To connect to the internet, you can use Ethernet, WiFi or even USB Tethering. Other methods such as USB to Ethernet Adapters are also supported as well.

Using the same technique, with the help of OpenCore bootloader, the recovery mechanism can be used to install a required copy of macOS on a non-Apple computer. To use Internet Recovery using OpenCore, follow the steps below:

STEP 1: Download macOS Recovery Image​

Before you start using the Internet Recovery feature, you'll need to have the exact Recovery image of the target OS you want to install. However, these are the recovery image and therefore requires an internet connection to download the full installer during the time of installation. You'll need to have the exact Recovery image of the target OS you want to install. To download the recovery image, follow the steps below:

1. Downloaded OpenCore.zip (RELEASE) version.
2. Extract the OpenCore.zip to your preferred location.
3. Open Terminal and execute the following commands:

#Move to the directory
cd Downloads/OpenCore-X.X.X-RELEASE/Utilities/macrecovery

NOTE: Replace the X with the OpenCore version you downloaded.

4. Depending on the macOS version you need to install (See Recovery Table below), execute the command. When prompted, enter your password.

Recovery Table

OS Version	Command
macOS Sequoia	python3 ./macrecovery.py -b Mac-7BA5B2D9E42DDD94 -m 00000000000000000 -os latest download
macOS Sonoma	python3 ./macrecovery.py -b Mac-827FAC58A8FDFA22 -m 00000000000000000 download
macOS Ventura	python3 ./macrecovery.py -b Mac-7BA5B2D9E42DDD94 -m 00000000000000000 -os latest download
macOS Monterey	python3 ./macrecovery.py -b Mac-E43C1C25D4880AD6 -m 00000000000000000 download
macOS Big Sur	python3 ./macrecovery.py -b Mac-42FD25EABCABB274 -m 00000000000000000 download
macOS Catalina	python3 ./macrecovery.py -b Mac-CFF7D910A743CAAF -m 00000000000PHCD00 download
macOS Mojave	python3 ./macrecovery.py -b Mac-7BA5B2DFE22DDD8C -m 00000000000KXPG00 download
macOS High Sierra	python3 ./macrecovery.py -b Mac-7BA5B2D9E42DDD94 -m 00000000000J80300 download
macOS Sierra	python3 ./macrecovery.py -b Mac-77F17D7DA9285301 -m 00000000000J0DX00 download
OS X El Capitan	python3 ./macrecovery.py -b Mac-FFE5EF870D7BA81A -m 00000000000GQRX00 download
OS X Yosemite	python3 ./macrecovery.py -b Mac-E43C1C25D4880AD6 -m 00000000000GDVW00 download
OS X Mavericks	python3 ./macrecovery.py -b Mac-F60DEB81FF30ACF6 -m 00000000000FNN100 download
OS X Mountain Lion	python3 ./macrecovery.py -b Mac-7DF2A3B5E5D671ED -m 00000000000F65100 download
OS X Lion	python3 ./macrecovery.py -b Mac-C3EC7CD22292981F -m 00000000000F0HM00 download

The script will start downloading the required recovery files:

6. Once the download is completed, you'll see something like below:

This will create a com.apple.recovery.boot directory inside OpenCore-0.X.X-RELEASE/Utilities/macrecovery directory.

You can find BaseSystem.dmg and BaseSystem.chunklist in OpenCore-0.X.X-RELEASE/Utilities/macrecovery/com.apple.recovery.boot directory.

NOTE: Depending on the macOS version, the script will either download BaseSystem or RecoveryImage files. Booting macOS Big Sur 11.3 and newer without mapping of the USB Ports will result in boot loop due to the broken XhciPort Limit. Therefore, it is recommended to install 11.2.3 or map your USB Ports first using Windows before installing macOS. Note that if you have already mapped your USB Ports, you can boot macOS 11.3 and newer without such issues. See Mapping USB Ports for more information.

STEP 2: Create Bootable Recovery Drive​

Once you have the Recovery image, you can create a bootable Recovery Drive. To prepare the bootable Recovery Drive, follow the steps below:

1. Insert your USB Flash Drive (less than 64GB ).
2. Open Disk Utility. The Disk Utility is located at /Applications/Utilities/Disk Utility
3. Click on View and then select Show All Devices.

4. Select your target USB Flash Drive in the left pane and click on Erase button at the top and a popup will appear.
5. Use the following parameters to erase your drive:

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

6. When done, click on Done and close Disk Utility.

7. Copy the com.apple.recovery.boot folder downloaded in the above step to your USB Flash Drive in Finder. Please ensure that the directory contains BaseSystem.chunklist and BaseSystem.dmg files respectively.
8. Copy the OpenCore EFI for your target hardware to the root of the USB Flash Drive.

NOTE: For Flash Drive with more than 64 Capacity, you will need to create a separate EFI partition and is therefore not recommended.

STEP 3: Create OpenCore EFI​

In order to boot into the macOS Recovery, you'll also need to install OpenCore Bootloader and a curated OpenCore EFI is needed for the target system you intend to install macOS on. To create the OpenCore EFI, follow the guide(s) linked below:

​

STEP 4: Booting into macOS Recovery​

Now, as you have the Bootable Recovery Drive, you can boot into macOS Recovery. You can then use this USB on a supported hardware to perform a clean install of macOS. To boot into macOS Recovery, follow the steps below:

1. Turn on your target Computer.
2. Insert the Bootable USB containing macOS Installer and OpenCore EFI. It is always recommended to use the USB 2.0 ports for the installation. If the USB 2.0 ports does not work, try USB 3.0. The ports which will be working without patching (post-install process) are usually hardware dependent and may differ from case to case basis.
2. Boot to Boot Menu. The common Boot Menu Keys are Esc (ASUS Laptops), F8 (ASUS Desktops), F9 (HP), F12 (GIGABYTE)

NOTE:

• Several people use BIOS to override the Boot Device. It is advised to use the Boot Menu Key to enter the Boot Menu
• Refer to your Computer user manual if necessary

3. Select your USB Flash Drive with the UEFI Prefix and press enter to boot.
4. When at OC Boot picker, you'll something similar to this:

5. Select Reset NVRAM and press enter.
6. Boot back to OC by following steps 2 and 3.
7. When at the OC Boot picker, select EFI (external) (dmg) and press enter to boot and the installer will load in a while. You'll see lots of scrolling texts while the installer loads.
8. Now you have successfully booted into macOS Recovery and can install a copy of a macOS on the target system.

NOTES:

• An internet connection is required to download the required files and perform the clean installation.
• Ethernet or native WiFi is preferred for the purpose. USB WiFi Adapter will not serve the purpose.
• The network must be configured correctly.

 

[Shibby]

Hi I see at the top of thread says:
"Method #1: Using macOS"

Is there a Method 2 in post, I could not see it

 

[EliteMacx86]

Hi I see at the top of thread says:
"Method #1: Using macOS"

Is there a Method 2 in post, I could not see it

Method #2 and #3 are for Windows and Linux, which have not been added now. But it has been covered collectively in the main install guide.

 

[Shibby]

Hi I see at the top of thread says:
"Method #1: Using macOS"

Is there a Method 2 in post, I could not see it

Method #2 and #3 are for Windows and Linux, which have not been added now. But it has been covered collectively in the main install guide.

So just some feedback and comparisons to other sites. When you have multiple posts on same topic but in other posts this is what makes learning Hackintosh/OC somewhat difficult. I'm sure you all know the technical aspects of all this but when your on this side of the fence its really confusing seeing post after post with same topic but with slight variations on instructions. What i do like is where there is 1 guide and it just covers the specific topic. I've already seen this in some of the guides I've been browsing which is really good.

but as i mentioned if there is a method 2 or 3 in a post and we don't see it. it's confusing.

 

[EliteMacx86]

So just some feedback and comparisons to other sites. When you have multiple posts on same topic but in other posts this is what makes learning Hackintosh/OC somewhat difficult. I'm sure you all know the technical aspects of all this but when your on this side of the fence its really confusing seeing post after post with same topic but with slight variations on instructions. What i do like is where there is 1 guide and it just covers the specific topic. I've already seen this in some of the guides I've been browsing which is really good.

but as i mentioned if there is a method 2 or 3 in a post and we don't see it. it's confusing.

Yes, we understand. As mentioned before, we're working on it and it will be corrected eventually.

You should continue all the issues in the following thread

how to enable wi-fi recovery to install macOS

Hi, i was finally able to reach MacOS installer from OC using an image from Olarila's site (way too many ads btw and no clarity on guides) but their image EFI worked on my laptop since I cannot find much support for HP Probook 640 G4. How do you enable wifi in installer? There is no icon in...

elitemacx86.com

 

[alex.12]

sequoia ?

 

[EliteMacx86]

sequoia ?

Works fine!

 

[ggyyhuo]

download

 

[alex.12]

Tahoe ?