Resolving "Sequoia is Not Compatible with This Mac" Error on Hackintosh with AMD Ryzen 9 and i225-V Ethernet

Guide:

When trying to install macOS Sequoia (or similar) on a Hackintosh with an AMD Ryzen processor, encountering compatibility errors even with the correct SMBIOS can be frustrating. This issue typically relates to either unsupported hardware configurations or an SMBIOS/EFI setup that doesn’t fully emulate an Apple environment compatible with Sequoia. Here’s how you can troubleshoot and potentially resolve this issue.

Steps:

1. Verify Your SMBIOS Settings:

   • While you’ve tried both MacPro7,1 and iMacPro1,1, it’s essential that each SMBIOS setting is fully configured to mimic a compatible environment. Use GenSMBIOS to generate a clean set of serials for MacPro7,1 (recommended for Ryzen).
   • Open config.plist with ProperTree or another plist editor and confirm that PlatformInfo > Generic > SystemProductName matches your SMBIOS choice, with all fields (serial number, MLB, ROM, and UUID) populated.

2. Add Additional Kexts and Patches:

   • AMFIExemptions.kext: This kext may help bypass system restrictions, especially on AMD setups where certain checks might trigger incompatibility errors.
   • FakeSMC (instead of VirtualSMC): While VirtualSMC is generally preferred, some users report better compatibility with FakeSMC for older macOS versions or unconventional setups.
   • Ethernet Compatibility: The Intel i225-V Ethernet controller often requires specific kexts like SmallTreeIntel82576.kext or an adapted version of IntelMausi.kext. This can help with networking issues during both installation and post-install.

3. Modify NVRAM Boot Arguments:

   • Check the boot arguments in config.plist under NVRAM > Add > boot-args:
     • Add or verify the argument -no_compat_check to bypass compatibility checks, which may help Sequoia recognize your hardware.
     • Use npci=0x2000 or npci=0x3000 if encountering PCI configuration errors.

4. Verify Kernel Patches for AMD:

   • Ensure that the latest kernel patches for AMD are configured. These patches are required to allow macOS to boot on AMD Ryzen hardware. Refer to the OpenCore AMD kernel patch guide, and apply patches specific to macOS Ventura and beyond.
   • Make sure the AvoidRuntimeDefrag and ProvideCustomSlide quirks are enabled under Booter > Quirks in config.plist.

5. Update and Reconfigure Kexts:

   • Ensure all kexts are updated to the latest version. Check the release notes for any kext updates that may address compatibility issues with newer macOS versions.
   • Confirm that RestrictEvents.kext is correctly configured to spoof compatible hardware models, especially if you are attempting to disable unsupported hardware functions or sensors.

6. Network Alternatives:

   • If Ethernet remains problematic, consider adding a compatible USB Wi-Fi adapter (e.g., TP-Link, which uses Realtek drivers) as a temporary measure to allow the installation to proceed.

7. Testing in OpenCore Verbose Mode:

   • Set -v (Verbose Mode) in boot-args to get detailed error messages on startup, which can indicate any missing kexts or patches and help track down where the installation fails.

Additional Tips:

• If none of these configurations work, it may be worth trying to boot from a different SMBIOS such as iMac19,1, which sometimes resolves compatibility issues with Ryzen-based Hackintosh setups.
• Keep a backup of your config.plist and EFI to revert if changes lead to further issues.

This should help address the compatibility error and allow Sequoia to recognise your Hackintosh setup for installation.