Thinkpad T480 Hackintosh Opencore With rEFInd Dualboot

Status: Testing And Maintaining

This EFI configuration is taken from: https://github.com/EETagent/T480-OpenCore-Hackintosh

I'm still in the learning stage on hackintosh. So this EFI may not be perfect!

DISCLAIMER: Read the entire README and Dortania guides before you start. I am not responsible for any damage. When you encounter bug or want to improve this repo, consider opening issue or pull request. If you find this bootloader configuration useful, consider giving it a star to make it more visible.

Introduction

General knowledge & credits

• To install macOS follow the guides provided by Dortania

• Useful tools by CorpNewt and headkaze

• CREDITS file

Hardware

Category	Component	Note
CPU	Intel Core i5-8350U	20L50000MC
GPU	Intel UHD 620
SSD	SKHynix Nvme SSD 2242(WWAN SLOT)	256GB
Memory	8GB DDR4 2400Mhz
Battery	Dual battery
Camera	720p Camera
Wifi & BT	Intel Wireless-AC 8265	Use AirportItlwm for your macOS version and enjoy native Wi-Fi control, or use Heliport app.
Input	PS2 Keyboard & Synaptics TrackPad	YogaSMC for media keys like microphone switch, etc. PrtSc is mapped as F13.

Main software

Component	Version
macOS Big Sur	11.6.4
OpenCore	v0.7.9

Kernel extensions

Kext	Version
AirportItlwm	2.1.0
AppleALC	1.7.0
BrightnessKeys	1.2.5
CPUFriend	1.2.3
CPUFriendDataProvider	i5-8350U
HibernationFixup	1.4.6
HoRNDIS	Disabled, 9.2
IntelBluetoothFirmware	2.1.0
IntelBluetoothInjector	2.1.0
IntelMausi	1.0.8
Lilu	1.6.1
NoTouchID	1.0.4
NVMeFix	1.0.9
RTCMemoryFixup	1.0.8
VirtualSMC	1.2.9
VoltageShift	Disabled, 1.22
VoodooPS2Controller	2.2.8
VoodooRMI	1.3.5
VoodooSMBus	3.0.0
WhateverGreen	1.5.8
YogaSMC	1.5.1

UEFI drivers

Driver	Version
AudioDxe.efi	OpenCorePkg 0.7.9
HfsPlus.efi	OcBinaryData
OpenCanopy.efi	OpenCorePkg 0.7.9
OpenRuntime.efi	OpenCorePkg 0.7.9

Neofetch screenshots

Before installation

UEFI settings

Security

• Security Chip Disabled
• Memory Protection -> Execution Prevention Enabled
• Virtualization -> Intel Virtualization Technology Enabled
• Virtualization -> Intel VT-d Feature Enabled
• Anti-Theft -> Computrace -> Current Setting Disabled
• Secure Boot -> Secure Boot Disabled
• Intel SGX -> Intel SGX Control Disabled
• Device Guard Disabled

Startup

• UEFI/Legacy Boot UEFI Only
• CSM Support No

Thunderbolt

• Thunderbolt BIOS Assist Mode Disabled
• Wake by Thunderbolt(TM) 3 Disabled
• Security Level User Authorization
• Support in Pre Boot Environment -> Thunderbolt(TM) device Enabled

Own prev-lang-kbd

Either add as a string or as a data ( HEX data (ProperTree) )

Format is lang-COUNTRY:keyboard

• 🇺🇸 | [0] en_US - U.S --> en-US:0 --> 656e2d55 533a30

• 🇨🇿 | [30776] cs - Czech --> cs-CZ:30776 --> 63732d43 5a3a3330 373736

• 🇨🇿 | cs-CZ:0 --> 63732d43 5a3a30

etc.

AppleKeyboardLayouts.txt

Secure Boot (Optional)

1. Set Secure Boot to Setup Mode. Secure Boot should be reported as off by UEFI main tab
2. Create FAT32 formatted USB
3. Create EFI folder in the root of the newly formatted flash drive and move there content of SecureBoot/KeyTool
4. Boot flash drive via F12 boot menu
5. Choose Edit keys

6. Start by replacing Signature Database. Select .auth file

7. Do the same for Key Exchange Keys Database (KEK) and Platform Key (PK) in this order
8. Exit and shutdown your machine
9. Boot into the UEFI settings and check if Secure Boot is reported as on
10. Boot you favorite OS with Secure Boot enabled

More detailed information here

! Still quite experimental

Post-Install

Fix Audio Distortion After Sleep

If your Audio has an error or the sound decreases after sleeping in battery mode. Install ALCPlugFix in other folder. If not, leave this step!

cd /other/AlcPlugFix
sudo ./install.sh

Change Folder EFI Windows

Copy all the contents of the "Microsoft" folder in the Windows EFI Folder to your Hackintosh EFI Folder for you to be able to boot normally (dualboot) via reFInd.

Colour banding

If you encounter some serious colour banding issues ( Keep in mind that T480 1080p stock panel colour accuracy is not really good, cca 50-60% sRGB), your only solution is to replace GPU properties as bellow or replace the stock panel with one from T490 (400 nits, Low power).

<key>AAPL,ig-platform-id</key>
<data>AAAWGQ==</data>
<key>device-id</key>
<data>FhkAAA==</data>
</dict>

Do not use these any additional boot arguments! Get custom WhateverGreen version instead from Other folder

You can check your screen in gradient test here or just by simple look at Launchpad background.

Generate your own SMBIOS

GenSMBIOS

• MacBookPro14,1

• MacBookPro15,2

CPUFriend power management

Generate CPUFriendDataProvider for your machine here or use at your own risk files provided in the Other folder.

VoltageShift undervolt

It is possible to use VoltageShift directly from the EFI folder instead of disabling SIP. You need to use specific version provided in the Other folder.

! If you want to use this feature, enable it in config.plist

Android USB Tethering | HoRNDIS

Important: Mac computers can't tether with Android.

I don't think so Google.

1. Using a USB cable, connect your phone to the other device. A "Connected as a…" notification shows at the top of the screen.
2. Open your phone's Settings app.
3. Tap Network & internet Hotspot & tethering.
4. Turn on USB tethering.

You should see new Ethernet connection in the network settings. Works with USB Type C and USB A.

! If you want to use this feature, enable it in config.plist

Problems with recreating new en device every time are now solved on latest macOS versions with patched version of this kext. If it does not work for you, revert to official version.

Status

What's working ✅

• Battery percentage

• Bluetooth - Intel Wireless-AC 8265 (0x0A2B)

• Boot chime

• Boot menu OpenCanopy

• CPU power management / performance Now on par with Windows without XTU undervolt.

• FireVault 2 No config.plist changes needed

• GPU UHD 620 hardware acceleration / performance

• HDMI Closed and opened lid. With audio.

• iMessage, FaceTime, App Store, iTunes Store. Generate your own SMBIOS

• Intel I219V Ethernet port

• Keyboard Volume and brightness hotkeys. Another media keys with YogaSMC.

• Microphone With keyboard switch using ThinkPad Assistant.

• Realtek® ALC3287 ("ALC257") Audio

• SD card reader Fortunately, USB connected.

• Sidecar wired Works with 15,2 SMBIOS.

• Sleep/Wake

• TouchPad 1-5 fingers swipe works. Emulate force touch using longer and more voluminous touch.

• TrackPoint Works perfectly. Just like on Windows or Linux.

• USB Ports USB Map is different for devices with Windows Hello camera.

• Web camera

• Wifi - Intel Wireless-AC 8265 Use HeliPort app for Wi-Fi control

• DRM Widevine, validated on Firefox 82. WhateverGreen's DRM is broken on Big Sur

• Dualboot Windows Working With reFInd

What's not working ⚠️

• Fingerprint reader There is finally after many years working driver for Linux (python-validity), don't expect macOS driver any time soon.

• PM 981 Still unstable. Could work for some, not for others.

• Sidecar wireless If you want to use this feature, buy a compatible Broadcom card!

• Windows/Linux from OC boot menu Solved with reFInd

Untested

• Thunderbolt No device to test.

UEFI modding

CFG Lock | Advanced menu

It's possible to unlock Advanced menu thus disable CFG Lock natively in UEFI + Other Advanced menu benefits. SPI Programmer CH341a is required

https://www.reddit.com/r/thinkpad/comments/ffqqx5/currently_testing_skyra1n/

T480 consuming 60w (~85w total) - unlimited TDP : thinkpad

ThinkPad discord