What version to use with Mac OS 11?

GxN · November 22, 2024, 6:21pm

Hi,

What version can I use on Mac OS 11, and will that version be able to open and work on files that are created in KiCad version 8?

Thanks,

G

TheSwede · November 22, 2024, 6:39pm

I guess you can’t open any files made with KiCad 8 in Mac OS 11. I’m not sure but I guess so. It may seem a bit strange as long long time ago for example Cadsoft/and Autodesk Eagle could open just about every version with any newer or older Cad Software, in about any OS back and forth.

Mineotopia · November 22, 2024, 6:45pm

These two companys consisted of multiple developers. KiCad has just a hand full of devs working on it

@GxN You need KiCad 8 (or newer) to open files created with KiCad 8. While it is not officially supported, did you try installing KiCad 8 on your Mac? Are you sure you can’t update your Mac to version 12?

Mineotopia · November 22, 2024, 6:49pm

KiCad provides official support for macOS versions that are currently supported by Apple. Apple does not provide formal support timelines, but typically provides support and security updates for the three most recent major macOS versions. Based on this, the KiCad project considers a macOS version to be end-of-life when it is not one of the three most recent major releases.

While the KiCad project does not support or test older macOS versions, it is possible that KiCad can be installed and run on older systems. Any issues or bugs that occur on an unsupported version of macOS must be reproduced on an officially-supported version before they will be addressed by the KiCad team.

A community-provided port of KiCad is available on MacPorts, which may provide an option for users on unsupported versions of macOS to install a more recent version.

Taken from KiCad’s download page.

TheSwede · November 22, 2024, 7:51pm

On the other hand, if you can’t install a newer Mac OS on you Mac I guess you know you can run virtual machines, for example, with Parallels Desktop or similar and there you install any KiCad Windows version. This way you can then open about any Kicad file. Though using KiCad in the windows environment is not very nice compared to using it in macOS, if you ask me

GxN · November 22, 2024, 8:08pm

Thanks for the replies. It’s a mid 2014 Macbook Pro which still runs fine, but according to Apple can only run up to OS 11.

G

3Dogs · November 22, 2024, 8:21pm

You can use OpenCore to install more current MacOS versions, but this is probably not the place to discuss that.

John_Pateman · November 22, 2024, 9:08pm

Whilst not wanting to add to the noise, I agree - Open Core Patcher has extended the useful life of a couple of macs for me. You need to optimise the hardware a bit - replace HDDs with an SSD, for instance and bump up the RAM from the bare minimum but for a modest price you can turn a boat anchor back into useable hardware. No problems running KiCad 8.0.6 on Sequoia 15.1 on a iMac 10,1 27” 2009 - no speed demon but the big screen is great and it doubles up as a media server.