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Guide · Open source

How to use Hackintosh: find your model's EFI and install macOS

Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data

Hackintosh is a term for running macOS on a PC that Apple does not make. The daliansky/Hackintosh repository is a community-maintained index: it lists PC laptop and desktop models that have been made to run macOS, and links to separate projects that contain each model's EFI folder and installation tutorials. This guide shows you how to use that index, what to look for in a listed project, and what to expect before you start.

Hackintoshdaliansky/Hackintosh · ★ 10k · MIT

Quick start

  1. 1Decide if this suits your PC. Confirm you want an unofficial macOS setup and can handle manual troubleshooting.
  2. 2Clone the repository. Run git clone https://github.com/daliansky/Hackintosh in your terminal to get the index locally.
  3. 3Find your model. Search the tables in the README for your exact PC model number.
  4. 4Check the notes column. Confirm the bootloader and processor noted for the listed project match your machine.
  5. 5Open the linked project. Follow the release link to the project that contains the EFI folder for your model.
  6. 6Read the tutorial fully. Review the project's installation tutorial and back up your data before making any changes.
  7. 7Adapt the EFI. Edit the configuration to match your hardware, using the linked discussions for help.

Check whether this repository is the right starting point

The repository is mainly a list of links and configuration files, not a single installable program. Its tables group laptop and desktop models by manufacturer, and each row links to outside projects that hold the EFI folder for that machine.

It is written mainly in Chinese, with an English version linked from the README. The README also notes that this is an unofficial setup that Apple does not endorse.

  • Good fit: you own a PC model that appears in the tables and want to try macOS on it.
  • Good fit: you already know how to install macOS on a PC and want a starting EFI to adapt.
  • Good fit: you are researching which PC models have been made to run macOS and which bootloader they use.
  • Poor fit: you want officially supported macOS hardware.
  • Poor fit: you are not prepared for troubleshooting, because hardware differences often need manual fixes.

Find your PC model in the tables

The README has a table of contents separated into laptops and desktops, with sections for manufacturers such as Acer, Asus, Dell, Lenovo and HP. Open the section for your brand and search the page for your exact model name.

Each row has a release address column for the project link, a tutorial address column, and a notes column. Notes may name the bootloader, such as OpenCore or Clover, or list a processor, so compare them with your own machine's specifications before choosing a project.

  • Use the exact model number from your device label or system information, not only the marketing name.
  • Check the notes column for the bootloader and processor the project was built for.
  • If your model is not listed, the index does not cover it.

Clone the repository

The README gives one install command, which downloads the repository to your computer so you can browse the files locally. Run it in a terminal where you want the folder to appear.

git clone https://github.com/daliansky/Hackintosh

Open the project for your model and read its EFI tutorial

Follow the outside link for your model. Each project is maintained separately, so the layout and instructions differ. Look for the EFI folder, which holds the boot configuration macOS needs on that machine, and for the installation tutorial that goes with it.

Read the whole tutorial before you change anything. The index does not install anything for you, so the setup steps come from the linked project.

  • Confirm the project is for the same model and processor as your computer.
  • Note which bootloader the project uses before you start.
  • Keep a backup of your current disk and data before installing.

Adapt the EFI to your hardware

Hardware differences often need manual fixes, so a listed EFI may not work on your machine without changes. Treat the EFI as a starting point. Compare the project's hardware notes with what your computer reports, and adjust the configuration where they differ.

If you hit a problem, the linked tutorial and its discussion pages are the most direct source. The README also links a model discussion thread on pcbeta.com.

  • Compare the hardware listed in the project with your own machine.
  • Expect to edit configuration files when a component does not match.
  • Use the discussion thread linked from the README for model-specific questions.

Compare with other macOS-on-PC projects

If you are not sure whether a listed EFI suits you, the README's comparable projects are a useful reference point. They serve different needs, so compare what each one covers before deciding.

  • OpenCore Legacy Patcher
  • Dortania OpenCore Install Guide
  • Clover bootloader

What people use it for

  • Finding a starting EFI folder for an older laptop model listed in the Acer or Dell sections.
  • Checking which listed models use OpenCore and which use Clover before choosing a bootloader.
  • Researching which desktop models, such as those in the minisforum or Mini sections, have been made to run macOS.
  • Comparing a listed EFI with the Dortania OpenCore Install Guide when adapting it to new hardware.

Frequently asked questions

Is Hackintosh legal?

The README does not discuss licensing of macOS, so this guide cannot confirm it. The README does state that this is an unofficial setup that Apple does not endorse, and the repository itself is licensed under MIT.

Do I need to install anything with this repository?

The README gives only one command: git clone https://github.com/daliansky/Hackintosh. The repository is mainly a list of links and configuration files, so the actual setup comes from the projects linked for each model.

How do I find my Hackintosh model in the list?

Open the README's table of contents, choose the laptop or desktop section for your brand, and search the page for your exact model number. Check the notes column for the bootloader and processor before following the link.

What is an EFI folder?

The README describes an EFI folder as the boot configuration macOS needs on a given machine. Each linked project contains one for its model, and you adapt it to your hardware.

Why does my listed EFI not work on my PC?

The README notes that hardware differences often need manual fixes. A project built for one processor or component set may need configuration changes on a similar but different machine.

What are the alternatives to this repository?

The README lists OpenCore Legacy Patcher, Dortania OpenCore Install Guide and the Clover bootloader as comparable projects. Choose based on whether you need a model list, a step-by-step install guide, or a specific bootloader.

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Our verdict

This index suits people who already know how to install macOS on a PC and want a model-specific EFI to start from. It is a poor choice if you want supported hardware or a single program that installs everything for you, so consider the comparable projects listed in the README in that case.

Install options & downloads