Updating Your Hackintosh from Monterey to Sonoma

Updating your Hackintosh from Monterey to Sonoma (a newer version of macOS) can be a bit more involved than updating a standard Mac due to the custom nature of the system. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to approach this:

Step 1: Compatibility Check

• Verify that your current hardware is compatible with Sonoma 14.2.1.
• Check for updated kexts and drivers that may be required for the new OS.
• Look up any changes in system requirements that Sonoma might have introduced.

Step 2: Backup Your System

• Use Time Machine or a suitable cloning tool to back up your entire system.
• Ensure you have a copy of your current EFI folder.

Step 3: Update Your Bootloader

• Make sure you are running the latest version of OpenCore or Clover that supports Sonoma.
• Update your bootloader configuration to be compatible with the new version of macOS.

Step 4: Update Kexts and Drivers

• Download the latest versions of your kexts that are compatible with Sonoma.
• Update any necessary firmware drivers in your EFI partition.

Step

5: Prepare for the Update

• Read through the update notes for Sonoma to understand any potential issues or additional steps required for Hackintosh systems.
• Disable any unnecessary kexts or system extensions that may cause conflicts during the update process.

Step 6: Performing the Update

• If you decide to attempt an in-place update, open the macOS software update tool and proceed with the update.
• Monitor the update process for any error messages or kernel panics.

Step 7: First Boot After Update

• Boot into Sonoma using the -v (verbose) flag to observe any issues during startup.
• If the system boots successfully, check all system functions, including audio, network, and graphics

.

• If you encounter boot issues, boot from your backup EFI or use your USB installer to access the system and troubleshoot.

Step 8: Post-Update Configuration

• Once Sonoma is running, run through your hardware list again to ensure everything is working as expected.
• Re-enable any kexts or extensions you disabled for the update.
• Validate that your system preferences and settings are intact, and adjust as necessary.

Step 9: Post-Update Testing

• Check for full hardware acceleration, ensuring that your graphics card and CPU are operating at full capacity.
• Conduct a stress test on your system to ensure stability under load, which may include running benchmarks or using intensive applications for extended periods.
• Test peripheral connectivity, including USB ports, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi, for any issues.

Step 10: Creating a New System Backup

• After confirming that the system is stable and all hardware is working, create a new backup of your system.
• Update your EFI backup with the new configuration that works with Sonoma.

Step 11: Consider a Clean Install (Optional)

• If you encounter insurmountable issues with the direct update, consider a clean install.
• A clean install involves formatting your system drive and installing Sonoma from scratch, which can often resolve lingering issues from the previous OS.

Decision Time:

1. If your system is stable, your kexts and drivers are up to date, and you have a good backup, attempting an in-place update is feasible. However, be prepared for potential troubleshooting.
2. If you prefer a cleaner, more reliable update experience, or if you encounter significant issues with the direct update, a clean install may be the better option. It ensures that no leftover system files from Monterey will interfere with Sonoma.