Is it legal to install High Sierra on an unsupported Mac?

[CyberNode]

I am wondering what the legality of installing High Sierra on an unsupported Mac is?
When you reply, could you site a source for the answer you give?

I found the list of what older machines would run H.S., and mine is listed, but because Apple didn't include it in the list, it won't allow installation.

Thank you for your answers.

 

[flowrider]

If it's not, that be a lot of Hackintosh guys in jail

Apple only lists machines they test the OS on. Installing it on non-supported machines may or may not work with or without hacks.

If you can run HS or Mojave, and it works - GREAT!

Lou

 

[techwarrior]

I am wondering what the legality of installing High Sierra on an unsupported Mac is?

The EULA only specifies that you are authorized to install on Apple hardware. I don't see anything in the EULA regarding supported hardware, that is usually described in end of life notices. For Mac App Store, the terms are:

You are granted a limited, non-transferable, non-exclusive license:

(i) to download, install, use and run for personal, non-commercial use, one (1) copy of the Apple Software directly on each Apple-branded computer running macOS Sierra, OS X El Capitan, OS X Yosemite, OS X Mavericks, OS X Mountain Lion or OS X Lion (“Mac Computer”) that you own or control;
...
(iii) to install, use and run up to two (2) additional copies or instances of the Apple Software within virtual operating system environments on each Mac Computer you own or control that is already running the Apple Software, for purposes of: (a) software development; (b) testing during software development; (c) using macOS Server; or (d) personal, non-commercial use.
​

If the HW is not supported for the OS Version, you will be prevented, but there are a few hacks out there that allow you to overcome this, as well as installing on non-Apple HW (Hackintosh).

As @flowrider suggests, Apple only tests and ships with drivers (kexts) for supported hardware. While you may be able to find the drivers for unsupported hardware and get everything to work, there could be issues down the road with system updates, and Apple won't support you in these efforts. So, the headaches might make doing so a challenge that for most will outweigh the limited benefits of the new features.

 

[kohlson]

As long as you're running on Apple hardware, I am sure they really don't care. What Apple, and any company cares about, is: could this cost us money? Most tech companies provide support for products along well-defined policies, such as 5 years after the last date of sale. After that they can state that they no longer support hardware (replacements and repair) or software (fix bugs/security issues/app compatibility). What their really saying is: "Don't call us, and if you do, the answer is 'we don't support that any more.'" They probably care less about individual users and more about corporate users.

But if you're curious about the legality, the EULA awaits! Scrutinize that for the legal answer.

 

[techwarrior]

But if you're curious about the legality, the EULA awaits!

Reading an EULA is like arguing with your spouse, you muddle through it, never fully comprehend it, and in the end you just say, "I agree".

But yes, the bottom line is the agreement probably has nothing to say about this question, the support notices inform users of the end of support for both hardware and software. Once a model is out of support windows, it is best effort support, and will rarely get more attention than them telling you that you are on your own.

 

[Fishrrman]

I install whatever version of the OS I want, wherever I want, and don't worry about EULA's.
'Nuff said about that.

 

[redheeler]

I am wondering what the legality of installing High Sierra on an unsupported Mac is?
When you reply, could you site a source for the answer you give?

I found the list of what older machines would run H.S., and mine is listed, but because Apple didn't include it in the list, it won't allow installation.

Thank you for your answers.

The only part of the EULA this could potentially violate would be the No Reverse Engineering clause, as the OS must be modified to install and work correctly on an unsupported Mac.

However, violating the EULA by itself isn't considered breaking the law, and Apple isn't going to care if you're an individual user who installs High Sierra on an unsupported Mac. (If you're a business user, it may be best to stick to an OS that Apple supports on your hardware, in case you encounter problems that hamper productivity.)