MAC MINI 2018 - will it run macOS High Sierra (10.13.6F)

[zedex]

I know this parameter/constraint is a function of the time date this particular model was released.

So can anyone categorically confirm the earliest possible macOS build that can be installed on this model (MacMini 8,1)?

 

[opeter]

No, it can't. The "lowest" macOS version it will run is MacOS 10.14.1 Mojave.

 

[now i see it]

Running an OS that's older than the machine has been impossible on the Mac since day one

 

[zedex]

I was fairly sure that this was canon. Given that it was a super early build release for MOJAVE, I was wondering (hoping is actually the right word) that this hardware release may have shipped with a Final build of High Sierra. I realise now that I was clutching at straws.

 

[getrealbro]

I tried to boot my 2018 Mini from a USB drive with a minimal config of High Sierra. The result was a big fat O with a slash through it and then the Mini shut itself down.

Of course, I have the T2 startup security disabled so I can and have booted from external drives, SD cards and USB sticks.

GetRealBro

 

[zedex]

So potentially I could boot from and work in High Sierra on a MacMini if I am using an external boot drive? Is this the best known effective workaround..?

 

[Fishrrman]

"So potentially I could boot from and work in High Sierra on a MacMini if I am using an external boot drive? Is this the best known effective workaround..?"

You CANNOT boot a 2018 Mini using High Sierra.
No way, no how.
Impossible.
End of story.

What you COULD do is run a virtual machine (VMWare Fusion, Parallels, Virtual Box) and run High Sierra within it. That is the ONLY possibility open to you.

 

[getrealbro]

So potentially I could boot from and work in High Sierra on a MacMini if I am using an external boot drive? Is this the best known effective workaround..?

Maybe I wasn't clear. Even though I have the T2 security set to allow me to boot from external drives... I was NOT able to boot High Sierra. My Mini simply put up a big O with a slash through it and shut down.

 

[opeter]

Yeah, you've got this picture:

It won't work. Forbidden. Nada. Not gonna work. Get out of here. See ya! Bye.

Wish you all a happy new year! 😉🙂