ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 4 running macOS (OpenCore bootloader)

DISCLAIMER: This repo is based on simprecicchiani's T460s repo, but with some modification it's now fully working on X1C4s. Read the entire README before you start. I am not responsible for any damages you may cause. Should you find an error or improve anything — whether in the config or in the documentation — please consider opening an issue or pull request. If you find my work useful, please consider donating via PayPal. It would mean a lot to me.

Introduction

Getting started 📖

Meet the bootloader:

• Why OpenCore
• Dortania's website

Recommended tools:

• Plist editor ProperTree
• Handy-dandy ESP mounting script MountEFI

Resources

• OpenCore
• OC-little
• X1 Carbon config
• T460s config
• T460 config

My Hardware 💻

Model	Thinkpad X1 Carbon Gen 4 20FCS0TR0U
Processor	Core i5-6300U (2C, 2.4 / 3.0GHz, 4MB) vPro
Graphics	Integrated Intel HD Graphics 520
Memory	8GB Soldered 1866MHz DDR3, dual-channel
Display	14" Full HD (1920x1080) IPS, non-touch
Storage	Samsung Evo 980 PRO 256GB NVMe SSD
Ethernet	Intel Ethernet Connection I219-LM (Jacksonville)
WLAN + Bluetooth	11ac+BT, Intel® Dual Band Wireless-AC 8260NGW, 2x2 card
Camera	HD720p resolution, low light sensitive, fixed focus
Audio support	HD Audio, Conexant CX11852 codec, stereo speakers 1Wx2, dual array microphone, combo audio/microphone jack
Keyboard	6-row, spill-resistant, multimedia Fn keys, LED backlight
Battery	Integrated Lithium Polymer 4-cell (52Wh)

Hardware compatibility 🧰

This EFI will suit any X1C4 regardless of CPU model<sup>1</sup>, amount of RAM, display resolution<sup>2</sup> and internal storage<sup>3</sup>.

<a name="CPU">1</a>. Optional custom CPU Power Management guide. <a name="Res">2</a>. 1440p displays should change NVRAM -> Add -> 7C436110-AB2A-4BBB-A880-FE41995C9F82 -> UIScale:2 to get proper scaling while booting. <a name="NVMe">3</a>. Follow NVMe fix guide below for NVMe drives.

This bootloader configuration will probably suit other 6th generation Thinkpads, but there could be some defacts (i. e. not working usb ports, can't connect any displays.. etc.). If you own a model other then a T460s check out these repositories:

Maintainer(s)	Model	Bootloader
MSzturc	T460	Opencore
duszmox/mhl221135	T460s	Opencore
Tluck	T560/T460	Clover

Installation

How to install macOS

1. Create an installation media
2. Download the latest EFI folder and copy it into the ESP partiton
3. Change your BIOS settings according to the table below
4. Boot from the USB installer (press F12 to choose boot volume) and start the installation process

Menu			Setting
Config	USB	UEFI BIOS Support	Enable
	Power	Intel SpeedStep Technology	Enable
		CPU Power Management	Enable
	CPU	Hyper-Threading Technology	Enable
Security	Security Chip		Disable
	Memory Protection	Execution Prevention	Enable
	Virtualization	Intel Virtualization Technology	Enable
		Intel VT-d Feature	Enable
	Anti-Theft	Computrace	Disable
	Secure Boot		Disable
	Intel SGX		Disable
	Device Guard		Disable
Startup	UEFI/Legacy Boot		UEFI Only
	CSM Support		No
	Boot Mode		Quick

Enable Apple Services

1. Run the following script in Terminal

git clone https://github.com/corpnewt/GenSMBIOS && cd GenSMBIOS && chmod +x GenSMBIOS.command && ./GenSMBIOS.command

2. Type 3 to Generate SMBIOS, then press ENTER
3. Type MacbookPro13,1 5, then press ENTER. Leave this Terminal window open.
4. Open /EFI/OC/Config.plist with any editor and navigate to PlatformInfo -> Generic
5. Add the script's last result to MLB, SystemSerialNumber and SystemUUID

<key>PlatformInfo</key>
<dict>
   <key>Generic</key>
   <array>
      </dict>
         <key>AdviseWindows</key>
         <false/>
         <key>SystemMemoryStatus</key>
         <string>Auto</string>
         <key>MLB</key>
+        <string>M0000000000000001</string>
         <key>ProcessorType</key>
         <integer>0</integer>
         <key>ROM</key>
         <data>ESIzRFVm</data>
         <key>SpoofVendor</key>
         <true/>
         <key>SystemProductName</key>
         <string>MacBookPro13,1</string>
         <key>SystemSerialNumber</key>
+        <string>W00000000001</string>
         <key>SystemUUID</key>
+        <string>00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000</string>
      </dict>
   </array>
</dict>

6. Save and reboot the system

How to update the bootloader

1. Download the latest release
2. Copy and Paste your PlatfromInfo
3. Enable optional kexts if needed (NVMEFix, AirportItlwm, etc.)
4. Test the new bootloader with an USB stick (Set BootProtect: None whenever booting with external drives)
5. Customize boot preferences (skip picker, disable verbose, etc.)
6. Mount your ESP partition
7. Backup your old EFI folder and replace it with the new one

Post-install (optional)

Enable Intel WLAN cards

Two different drivers are under development for Intel WiFi support: `AirportItlwm.kext` and `AirPortOpenBSD.kext`. Do NOT use them both at the same time.

1. Open /EFI/OC/Config.plist with any editor
2. Add the content of #intel-wlan - macOS 11.plist or #intel-wlan - macOS 12.plist according to your macOS version
3. Save and reboot the system

Note: The drivers provided in this repo are for Big Sur and Monterey only; if you're running a different version of macOS please use the corresponding AirportItlwm.kext or AirPortOpenBSD.kext.

Optional: Remove unnecessary firmware files from OpenIntelWireless drivers.

Enable non-natively supported Broadcom WLAN cards

1. Download AirportBrcmFixup and BrcmPatchRAM.
2. Copy AirportBrcmFixup.kext, BrcmBluetoothInjector.kext, BrcmFirmwareData.kext and BrcmPatchRAM3.kext to /EFI/OC/Kexts
3. Open /EFI/OC/Config.plist with any editor
4. Add the content of [#broadcom-wlan.plist](/EFI/OC/#broadcom-wlan.plist
5. Save and reboot the system

Fix NVMe power management

1. Open /EFI/OC/Config.plist with any editor
2. Add the content of #nvme-fix.plist
3. Save and reboot the system

Custom CPU Power Management

1. Run the following script in Terminal

git clone https://github.com/corpnewt/CPUFriendFriend; cd CPUFriendFriend; chmod +x ./CPUFriendFriend.command; ./CPUFriendFriend.command

1. When asked, select preferred values
2. From the pop-up window, copy ssdt_data.aml into /EFI/OC/ACPI/ folder (rename it if you'd like)
3. Open /EFI/OC/Config.plist with any editor
4. Add the content of #cpu-pm.plist (make sure SSDT-PLUG.aml is disabled and match your new SSDT filename)
5. Save and reboot the system

ThinkPad Dock USB ports mapping

I've never had one so there's a chance something might not be working. USB mapping guide.

Other tweaks

Enable HiDPI

1. Disable SIP
2. Run the following script in Terminal

   bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/xzhih/one-key-hidpi/master/hidpi.sh)"

3. Follow the instructions, then reboot
4. Re-enable SIP (if desired)

Alternative method

Enable multimedia keys, fan & LEDs control

1. Download and install YogaSMC-App-Release.dmg (both the pref-panel and app itself)
2. Open the app
3. Check the launch on login option

Use PrtSc key as Screenshot shortcut

Super useful shortcut that I wish I had it on my previous MBP. Default is ⌘⇧5.

1. Open SystemPreferences.app
2. Go under Keyboard > Shortcuts > Screenshots
3. Click on Screenshot and recording options field
4. Press PrtSc on your keyboard (it should came out as F13)

Add Apple Watch authentication to sudo

If you have an Apple Watch and you already replaced the build in WiFi card, you could enable authenticating as sudo with you Apple Watch using pam-watch

1. Download the latest ZIP file

2. Unzip, which by default creates a folder called pam-watchid-main.

3. Open Terminal and install it:

   • $ cd ~/Downloads/pam-watchid-main
   • sudo make install

4. Regsiter the new PAM module for sudo:

   • Edit /etc/pam.d/sudo
   • Add a new line under line 1 (which is a comment) containing:

     auth sufficient pam_watchid.so

That’s it. Now, whenever you use sudo, you have the option of using your Watch to authenticate. <img src="/Images/AW-sudo.png" alt="Apple Watch authenticating with sudo" height="300">

Monitor temperatures and power consumption

1. Download and install HWMonitor
2. Check launch on login (optional)

Faster macOS dock animation

This enables auto-hide and speeds up the animation

1. Run the following script in Terminal

   defaults write com.apple.dock autohide-delay -float 0; defaults write com.apple.dock autohide-time-modifier -float 0.5; killall Dock

Boot process tweaks

Menu			Setting	What does it do?
Misc	Boot	ShowPicker	False	Skip bootloader page
UEFI	Audio	PlayChime	Disabled	Always silent boot

BIOS Mod

I know it can be scary at first but with the right amount of carefulness anyone can do it. Is it worth the effort and risk? I don't think so. I enjoyed it? 100%. A brief guide referencing other guides.

Status

What's working ✅

• CPU Power Management ~1W on IDLE
• Intel HD 520 Graphics incuding graphics acceleration
• USB ports
• Internal camera working fine on FaceTime, Skype, Zoom and others
• Sleep / Wake / Shutdown / Reboot
• Onelink+ Port with Intel Gigabit Ethernet support
• Wifi, Bluetooth, Airdrop, Handoff, Continuity, Sidecar wireless some functionalities may be buggy or broken on Intel WLAN cards
• iMessage, FaceTime, App Store, iTunes Store Please generate your own SMBIOS
• Speakers and headphones combo jack
• Battery management
• Keyboard map and hotkeys with YogaSMC
• Trackpad, Trackpoint and physical buttons all macOS gestures working thanks to VoodooRMI
• SIP and FileVault 2 can be turned on
• HDMI with digital audio passthrough
• MiniDP
• Micro SD Card Reader slow r/w speed but works

What's not working ⚠️

• Safari DRM Use Chromium engine to watch Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix and others
• WWAN (needs to be implemented)
• Fingerprint Reader

Update tracker 🔄

EFI Release	0.8.1
MacOS	12.4
OpenCore	0.8.1
Lilu	1.6.0
VirtualSMC	1.2.9
YogaSMC	1.5.1
WhateverGreen	1.5.9
AppleALC	1.7.2
VoodooPS2Controller	2.2.8
VoodooRMI	1.3.4
IntelMausi	1.0.7
HibernationFixup	1.4.5
CPUFriend	1.2.5
NVMeFix	1.0.9
RTCMemoryFixup	1.0.7
AirPortOpenBSD	2.0.6
AirportItlwm	2.2.0a
IntelBluetoothFirmware	2.1.0
AppleBacklightSmoother	1.0.2
BrightnessKeys	1.0.2
Sinetek-rtsx	9.0

Performances

Benchmarks ⏱

CPU	Single-Core	Multi-Core
Cinebench r20	329	816
Geekbench 5	728	1669
GPU	OpenCL	Metal
Geekbench 5	4013	3972

<small>macOS 11.2.3, EFI release 0.6.8</small>

Thanks to

tamger02 for providing his laptop, the hackintosh community on GitHub, InsanelyMac, and r/hackintosh.