What?! Does something about this article seem odd, not as you remember, or too good to be true? Check the date it was published!
Pundits have long speculated that Apple is working on ARM-based builds of Mac OS X that would allow the company to use its proprietary A7 CPU (or successors) in Macs as well as iOS devices. This is nothing new for Apple, which secretly compiled Mac OS X for Intel-based hardware for years while Macs shipped with PowerPC CPUs.
But we hadn’t realized how far this work had come until a source inside Apple tipped us off to the fact that Apple is testing OS X 10.9 Mavericks on current iPad hardware. Not only that, but the ARM code is embedded in the shipping version of Mavericks. After months of attempts, we’ve cracked how to install and run Mavericks on the iPad Air.
It goes without saying that this is a total hack, and several caveats apply:
- The code works only on the iPad Air. Earlier models are not supported, nor is the latest iPad mini, even though it has nearly identical internals.
- It completely replaces iOS on your iPad Air and wipes your existing data. To remove Mavericks and go back to iOS, you must put your iPad into Recovery Mode and restore through iTunes. If you’re not familiar with that process, don’t even think about trying these steps.
Almost nothing works. As with the move from PowerPC- to Intel-based CPUs, a Rosetta-like translation layer will be necessary for existing third-party apps to function, and it’s still missing. The only apps that work are those for which Apple has produced fat binaries: we’ve identified Finder, Terminal, Activity Monitor, Disk Utility, and Console so far.
With all that in mind, let’s install Mavericks and get it going.
Of course, the iPad also can run apps and webapps designed explicitly for the iPad, like EveryMac.com's own EveryMac app for the iPad. A version of the EveryMac app for the iPhone and iPod touch devices is available, too. The iPad cannot run OS X applications, though. Keynote sets the stage for an impressive presentation. A simple, intuitive interface puts important tools front and center, so everyone on your team can easily add beautiful charts, edit photos, and incorporate cinematic effects. And Rehearse Mode lets you practice on the go, with the current or next slide, notes, and clock — all in one view. The ipad is designed to work with another computer and iTunes. Judging by this thread, and the other one you posted about backing it up, you have bought a device that does not work in the way you want to work.
First, download OS X Mavericks (5.3 GB) from the App Store, if you don’t already have a copy of the installer in your Applications folder from a previous install.
Install Osx On Ipad Pro
While it downloads, install Numbers and Keynote on your iPad Air, if they’re not already installed.
Also while you wait, create a plain text file in your favorite editor on the Mac, containing just the following line:
load InstallESD.dmg OSXARM
Save that as MacInstall.plist on the Desktop. Then create another text file with this line:
boot InstallESD.dmg
Save that as ARMboot.plist on the Desktop as well.
Once the Mavericks installer has downloaded, connect your iPad Air to your Mac via a Lightning cable and open iTunes. Now would be a good time to perform a backup of the iPad, if you haven’t already, so you can later revert to iOS.
In iTunes, select your iPad in the sidebar, click the Apps button, and scroll down to the File Sharing section. Next, select Numbers and drag ARMboot.plist into the Numbers Documents list. Finally, select Keynote and drag MacInstall.plist into the Keynote Documents list.
Install Osx On Ipad
When all the files have been copied, click Sync in the lower right, wait for it to finish, and then eject the iPad and disconnect it from your Mac.
Before proceeding, make sure you have a Bluetooth keyboard and trackpad set to pairing mode. Touch doesn’t yet work in Mavericks, but the operating system will look for Bluetooth devices to pair with when it first boots. You can also use the Lightning to USB Camera Adapter ($29) and a USB hub to connect a USB keyboard and mouse, which may be less finicky.
Now, turn off your iPad by holding the Sleep/Wake button down for a few seconds. Once it’s off, make sure iTunes is still running, reconnect the iPad to your Mac via USB, then press and hold the Sleep/Wake and Home buttons simultaneously to turn the iPad back on to start the installation process. You’ll know it’s working when you see a black screen with the Mavericks logo.
Once the iPad boots in ARM mode, iTunes launches the Mavericks installer on the Mac, and makes the iPad available as a destination disk. The installation process is the same as it would be on a Mac, and when it’s done, your iPad will boot into Mac OS X and work just like a tiny Mac. Enjoy playing with OS X on your iPad, at least to the extent that’s possible today!
The Future of the Mac? — What does this mean for the Mac’s future? Apple is obviously working on ARM test builds of Mac OS X alongside the Intel versions, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that the Mac will move to Apple’s A7 CPU any time soon. We know that Apple built Intel versions of Mac OS X for years before making the switch away from PowerPC-based CPUs. These ARM builds could be merely a proof of concept, they could be Apple hedging its bets, or they could even be a bargaining chip with Intel to keep CPU prices down.
If the Mac does switch to the A7 or a later version of that chip, the chief advantage would be battery life. Imagine a MacBook Air that could run for 24 hours or more before needing a charge! And it would seem likely that Apple could reduce costs (and prices) by doing so — the estimated costs of the A7 are under $20, whereas the Intel Core i5 chip in the MacBook Air cost $342 at release). But the drawbacks could be severe: less processing power (at least for now), presumably no more Boot Camp, and once again, developers would have to jump from one
architecture to another, even with a Rosetta-like translation layer to ease the transition. If Apple could get enough CPU power into a future A-series chip, though, it’s easy to see the company making yet another architecture jump at some point.
You can update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to the latest version of iOS or iPadOS wirelessly.* If you can't see the update on your device, you can update manually using your computer.
Before you update
Make a backup of your device using iCloud or your computer.
Update your device wirelessly
If a message says that an update is available, tap Install Now. You can also follow these steps:
- Plug your device into power and connect to the Internet with Wi-Fi.
- Go to Settings > General, then tap Software Update.
- Tap Download and Install. If a message asks to temporarily remove apps because the software needs more space for the update, tap Continue or Cancel. Later, iOS or iPadOS will reinstall apps that it removed. If you tap Cancel, learn what to do next.
- To update now, tap Install. Or you can tap Later and choose Install Tonight or Remind Me Later. If you tap Install Tonight, just plug your device into power before you go to sleep. Your device will update automatically overnight.
- If asked, enter your passcode. If you don't know your passcode, learn what to do.
If you see an error or need more space when updating wirelessly
If you see an error message while trying to update your device wirelessly, learn what to do. If you need more space for a wireless update, you can update using your computer or delete content manually from your device. Whether you use your computer or update wirelessly, you'll have the same amount of free space on your device after you update.
Some software updates aren't available wirelessly. VPN or proxy connections might prevent your device from contacting the update servers.
Customize Automatic Updates
With iOS 12 or later, or iPadOS, you can have your device update automatically overnight while it's charging. To turn on automatic updates, go to Settings > General > Software Update > Customize Automatic Updates, then turn on Install iOS Updates. Your device will automatically update to the latest version of iOS or iPadOS. Some updates might need to be installed manually.
With iOS 13.6, or iPadOS, you can choose not to download software updates automatically. Go to Settings > General > Software Update > Customize Automatic Updates, then turn off Download iOS updates.
Update your device using your computer
If you can’t update wirelessly on your device, you can update manually using a computer that you trust. If your computer is using Personal Hotspot on the device that you’re updating, connect your computer to a different Wi-Fi or Ethernet network before you update.
- On a Mac with macOS Catalina 10.15, open Finder. On a Mac with macOS Mojave 10.14 or earlier, or on a PC, open iTunes.
- Connect your device to your computer.
- Locate your device on your computer.
- Click General or Settings, then click Check for Update.
- Click Download and Update.
- If asked, enter your passcode. If you don't know your passcode, learn what to do.
Can You Install Macos On Ipad Pro
If you see error messages on your computer or need more space to update
Get help if you see error messages while updating your device with your computer. Or if you need more space for an update, you can delete content from your device manually.
Install Os X On Ipad
* Upgrading to the latest version of iOS or iPadOS software provides the latest features, security updates, and bug fixes. Not all features are available on all devices or in all regions. Battery and system performance may be influenced by many factors including network conditions and individual use; actual results may vary.