macOS-ThinkPad-X1C6 (OpenCore)

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Notice

The README.md guide for OpenCore is being worked on. It will be published once the README.md for OpenCore is ready.

OpenCore

Introduction

This repository provides some necessary resources to install a copy of macOS on ThinkPad X1 Carbon 6th. There is no guarantee of success, therefore you are expected to find extra resources to meet your needs, and be responsible for any consequences. For Machine Type 20KH Only.

Objective

• Gather resources for a successful macOS installation on ThinkPad X1 Carbon 6th
• To prevent myself from forgetting how to instal macOS on ThinkPad X1 Carbon 6th
• To share the resources for others who might want to do the same thing
• To get used to OpenCore bootloader and port OpenCore configuration to other machines

Contents

1. Hardware Specifications
2. UEFI Setup Configuration
3. Software Overview
   1. Guide Compatibility
   2. Features
      1. Base System
      2. Connectivity
      3. Networking
      4. Human Interface Devices
      5. Power Management
      6. Audio and Graphics
4. General installation procedure
5. More to know
6. Useful utilities
7. Credits

Hardware Specifications

This is the hardware specification of my ThinkPad X1 Carbon 6th.

Item	Description
Processor	Intel Core i7-8550U
Graphics	Intel UHD Graphics 620
Memory	Onboard 16GB LPDDR3 2133MHz
Audio Codec	Realtek ALC 285 (ALC3286)
WWAN	Sierra Wireless EM7455 (Qualcomm Snapdragon X7 LTE-A Modem)
PCI Ethernet	Intel I219V4 PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet
WLAN/ Bluetooth Module	Dell DW1560
Bluetooth	BCM20702A0
Wi-Fi	Broadcom BCM94352Z
Media Card Reader	Realtek USB3.0 Card Reader
Built-in Display Resolution	2560x1440 (2K)
UEFI Firmware Version	1.43 (N23ET68W)
Storage	Samsung 860 EVO M.2. SATA 6Gb/s SSD
Thunderbolt Controller	Intel Alpine Ridge DSL6540 Thunderbolt 3 NHI

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UEFI Setup Configuration

Only listing values that matters. Feel free to configure other values to suit your needs.

Path	Value	Remarks
Config/Network/Wake On LAN	Disabled	Only 100M Ethernet if enabled
Config/USB/USB UEFI BIOS Support	Enabled	Enable UEFI USB boot
Config/Power/8254 Timer Clock Gating	Auto	-
Config/Power/Sleep State	Linux	-
Config/Thunderbolt (TM) 3/Thunderbolt Security Level	No Security	No Thunderbolt 3 if enabled
Config/Thunderbolt (TM) 3/Thunderbolt 3 BIOS Assistant	Disabled	No Thunderbolt 3 if enabled
Config/Thunderbolt (TM) 3/Support in Pre Boot Environment: Thunderbolt (TM) device	Pre-boot ACL	No Front Thunderbolt 3 (Type-C port) if changed to other values
Security/Intel (R) SGX/ Intel (R) SGX Control	Disabled	-
Security/Secure Boot Configuration/SecureBoot	Disabled	Unable to boot macOS if enabled (Requires digitally signed executables)
Security/Device Guard/Device Guard	Disabled	-

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Software Overview

Compatibility

• macOS Mojave
  • 10.14.6
    • 2019-09-04
• macOS Catalina
  • 10.15
    • 2019-10-06
  • 10.15.1
    • 2019-10-30
  • 10.15.2
    • 2019-12-18

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Features

Base System

Feature	Status	Dependency	Remarks
macOS (10.14.x or 10.15.x)	✅	VirtualSMC.kext, Lilu.kext, Clover Bootloader	Clover v2.5k R5100
iMessage/ FaceTime	✅	Apple ID, Valid SMBIOS	Guide
App Store	✅	Apple ID	-
iMessage/ FaceTime	✅	Apple ID, Valid SMBIOS	Guide
iCloud	✅	Apple ID	-
Siri	✅	Apple ID, Working audio recorder	Needs AppleALC.kext
iTunes Video Playback	✅	WhateverGreen.kext, Apple ID (Optional)	-
Filesystem (APFS/HFS+)	✅	Use SATA M.2. SSD or a Compatiable M.2. PCIe SSD	No NVMe Power Management

---

Connectivity

Feature	Status	Dependency	Remarks
Micro SD Card Reader	✅	Patched AppleUSBCardReader.kext	-
USB 3.1	✅	USBInjectAll.kext , SSDT-UAIC.aml	-
DisplayPort on Thunderbolt 3 Dock	✅	SSDT-TB3.aml, IOElectrify.kext	-
Thunderbolt 3 Dock (Port Replicator)	✅	SSDT-TB3.aml, IOElectrify.kext	-
Thunderbolt 3 Hotplug	✅	SSDT-TB3.aml, IOElectrify.kext	-
ThinkPad TB3 Dock Ethernet	✅	ThinkPad Thunderbolt 3 Dock (40AC), AppleRTL815XComposite109.kext, AppleRTL815XEthernet109.kext	Item page

---

Networking

Feature	Status	Dependency	Remarks
AirDrop	✅	BT4LEContiunityFixup.kext, Working Blutetooth and WiFi setup	-
Bluetooth	✅	BrcmFirmwareRepo.kext, BrcmPatchRAM3.kext, BrcmBluetoothInjector.kext	-
Continuty	✅	BT4LEContiunityFixup.kext, Working Blutetooth and WiFi setup	-
Sidecar	✅	iPad with iPadOS 13	Tested with iPad Pro with iPadOS 13.1.2
PCIe Ethernet	✅	IntelMausiEthernet.kext	-
Wi-Fi	✅	Swapping Intel WLAN card with Dell DW1560, AirportBrcmFixup.kext, Lilu.kext	-
Sierra Wireless EM7455	❌	Legacy_Sierra_QMI.kext	No internet

---

Human Interface Devices

Feature	Status	Dependency	Remarks
TrackPoint	✅	Patched VoodooPS2Controller.kext	-
TrackPad	✅	VoodooPS2Controller.kext	-
Built-in Keyboard	✅	VoodooPS2Controller.kext	-

---

Power Management

Feature	Status	Dependency	Remarks
Battery life	✅	Non-NVME SSD, proper power management setup (CPU Power Management, GPU Power Management)	Drops 10% per hour for light programming tasks
Battery Percentage Indication	✅	Patched DSDT.aml	Use MaciASL
CPU Power Management (SpeedShift)	✅	XCPM	-
IGPU Power Management	✅	XCPM	-
Hibernation	❌	-	Disabled
Sleep	❌	-	Disabled

---

Audio and Graphics

Feature	Status	Dependency	Remarks
Audio Recording	✅	AppleALC.kext with Layout ID = 11	-
Audio Playback	✅	AppleALC.kext with Layout ID = 11	-
Full Graphics Accleration (QE/CI)	✅	WhateverGreen.kext, Custom device properties in config.plist	-
HiDPI (Optional)	⚠️	Shell Script from xzhih Click Here	May have werid scaling issues after wake up

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General installation procedure

Flowchart

---

#### Step by Step Procedure

STEP 1: Create Installation Media

Checklist

• A working computer with macOS (or Mac OS X 10.7 or later)
• A working computer with Linux
• A working USB drive with 16GB or more capacity
• Internet connection (Not required if you already have the installer)
• A copy of macOS installation medium
  • For macOS Mojave click here to get the application to download a copy of macOS Mojave installer.
  • For macOS Catalina click here to get the application to download a copy of macOS Catalina installer.
  • Download macOS Catalina from the App Store

Procedure

If you are using macOS

1. Follow the gudie here
2. Copy boot files to the USB such that it is bootable on ThinkPad
   1. Mount EFI System partition using diskutil
      1. Check the identifier for the EFI System partition of the USB using diskutil list
      2. Mount it, e.g. diskutil mount disk3s1
      3. You should see a new EFI volume appeared in Finder, that is the EFI System partition of the USB.
   2. Copy boot files
      1. Go to the EFI folder of this repository
      2. Copy the entire EFI Folder to the root of the EFI System partition of the USB.
      3. You have copied the boot files.
   3. Finished. Move on to step 2.

If you are using Linux

1. Use the script here: https://github.com/notthebee/macos_usb (Credit: notthebee)

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STEP 2: Boot into installer

Checklist

• A working ThinkPad X1 Carbon 6th Type 20KH
  • Permission to change boot order
• A properly created macOS installer in a bootable USB (That you might have created in step 1)

Procedure

1. Plug in the USB Installer into the USB 3.0 Type A port of the ThinkPad.
2. Press F12 on your ThinkPad while it boots
3. Select your USB in the boot menu using arrow keys and press Enter to boot.
4. You should see a boot menu screen, select an item named 'Install macOS (version name) 'and press Enter
   1. Install macOS Catalina for macOS Catalina
   2. Install macOS Mojave for macOS Mojave
5. You should see long text running in a black background for some time, this is normal.
6. You should see macOS Installer menu, move on to step 3.

---

STEP 3: Partition your disks

Checklist

• A working ThinkPad X1 Carbon 6th Type 20KH
  • Booted to macOS Installer
• A properly created macOS installer in a bootable USB (That you might have created in step 1)

Procedure

1. Open Disk Utility
2. Partition your disks according to your wish and your needs
3. Format the partitions with APFS (Apple File System)
4. You have partitioned your disks. Move on to step 4.

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STEP 4: Begin installation

Checklist

• A working ThinkPad X1 Carbon 6th Type 20KH
  • Booted to macOS Installer
  • Created approproiate partitions for macOS installations
• A properly created macOS installer in a bootable USB (That you might have created in step 1)

Procedure

1. Click Install macOS
2. Select the partition that you have created as the destination
3. Click install, the installation will start

Remarks

1. Your computer will restart for a few times
2. When the ThinkPad is restarted, repeat Step 2 to continue the installation
3. When the installation is completed, move on to Step 5.

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STEP 5: Setup macOS

Checklist

• A working ThinkPad X1 Carbon 6th Type 20KH
  • Installed a fresh copy of macOS
• A properly created macOS installer in a bootable USB (That you might have created in step 1)

Procedure

1. Follow on-screen instructions to setup your macOS installation.
2. You should see macOS Desktop when you have finished, move on step 6.

---

STEP 6: Post Install Tweaks

Checklist

• Post installation materials
  • Located in post folder in this repository
• A working ThinkPad X1 Carbon 6th Type 20KH
  • Installed macOS

Procedure

1. Install required kernel extensions kexts
   1. Get the required materials
      1. Download and Open the Kext folder inside post folder in this repository
         • post/Kext
      2. Download kextbeast
         • Download here
   2. Install the kexts
      1. Drag and drop all kext files from post/kext to your desktop
      2. Open Kextbeast
      3. Select /Library/Extensions as the package to install
      4. Click install and wait until a big green tick appeared on screen
      5. You have successfully installed the required kexts
   3. Copy boot files
      1. Mount EFI System partition using diskutil
         1. Check the identifier for the EFI System partition of the installation disk using diskutil list
         2. Mount it, e.g.diskutil mount disk0s1
         3. You should see a new EFI volume appeared in Finder, that is the EFI System partition of the installation drive.
      2. Copy boot files
         1. Go to the EFI folder of this repository
         2. Copy the entire EFI Folder to the root of the EFI System partition of the installation drive.
         3. Configure SMBIOS using the guide here: Link
            1. System Model should be MacBookPro14,1
               • Reason: To enable HWP for better power management
         4. You have copied the boot files.

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Fine-tuning your "MacBook"

• iMessage Guide

  • iMessage Guide: Link to Tonymacx86

• Battery life improvement

  • Basic concepts of Laptop CPU/GPU Power Management
    • Link Here: Tonymacx86
  • Do not use NVMe (PCIe) SSD for Hackintosh if you care about battery life

• ThinkPad Thunderbolt 3 Dock (Type 40AC) Tweaks

  • Ethernet drivers for Ethernet on 40AC Dock
    • Link here: Github Gist

• Thunderbolt Tweaks

  • Principles and patching guide
    • Link here: OSY Gitbook
  • Thunderbolt 3 SSDT
    • Link here: Tonymacx86
  • IOElectrify for hot plugging support
    • Link here: macOS-IOElectrify

• Configuring EC and USB Power

  1. Create USB Map, test EC configuration
     1. Link to the guide here: USBMap

• Graphics fix on macOS

  1. Know your hardware, the following configuration is tested for the following CPUs only

     1. Intel Core i7-8650U (Intel UHD 620)
     2. Intel Core i7-8550U (Intel UHD 620)

  2. Use WhateverGreen

  3. In Config.plist/DeviceProperties/Add/PciRoot(0x0)/Pci(0x2,0x0), add the following

     Key	Type	Value
     AAPL,GfxYTile	Data	01000000
     AAPL,ig-platform-id	Data	04002759
     device-id	Data	16590000
     framebuffer-con1-enable	Data	01000000
     framebuffer-con1-type	Data	00080000
     framebuffer-fbmem	Data	00009000
     framebuffer-patch-enable	Data	01000000
     framebuffer-stolenmem	Data	00003001

  4. Result (Xcode as plist editor)

  5. Reboot

• USB SD Card Reader patch

  • Dependency

    1. Configuring EC and USBX Power
    2. All USB ports injected

  • Original Guide for the patch

  • Gather Information

    1. Open System Report in About this Mac

    2. Go to Hardware/USB/USB3.0-CRW

    3. Pay attention to Product ID and Vendor ID, convert them to decimal

       Item	Value (Hex)	Value (Dec)
       Product ID	0x0328	808
       Vendor ID	0x0bda	3034

    4. Update idVendor and idProduct in Apple_internal_SD_Card_Reader_1_00 and Apple_internal_SD_Card_Reader_2_00 dictionary found in /System/Library/Extensions/AppleStorageDrivers.kext/Contents/PlugIns/AppleUSBCardReader.kext/Contents/Info.plist.

       1. Before
       2. After

    5. Update Physical Interconnect Location field from Internal to External in Apple_internal_SD_Card_Reader_1_00 and Apple_internal_SD_Card_Reader_2_00 dictionary found in /System/Library/Extensions/AppleStorageDrivers.kext/Contents/PlugIns/AppleUSBCardReader.kext/Contents/Info.plist.

    6. Run the following in terminal

       sudo kextcache -v -i /

    7. Reboot

• If you have other other suggestions

  • Talk on Github

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List of kexts and their purposes

/L/E stands for /Library/Extensions

EFI stands for EFI/OC/Kexts and an entry in Config.plist/Kernel/Add

/L/E or EFI stands for those kexts can be installed in either location

Kext name	Purpose	Arguments	Location
AirportBrcmFixup.kext			/L/E
AppleALC.kext	Enabling sound	APPL,layout-id=11	/L/E or EFI
BT4LEContinuityFixup.kext			/L/E
BrcmBluetoothInjector.kext	Enabling bluetooth	-	EFI
BrcmFirmwareData.kext	Enabling bluetooth	-	EFI
BrcmPatchRAM3.kext	Enabling bluetooth	-	EFI
CPUFriend.kext	CPU Power Management	-	/L/E or EFI
CPUFriendDataProvider.kext	Customize CPU Power Management Scheme	Configured by: one-key-cpufriend	/L/E or EFI
HibernationFixup.kext	Eliminate sleep wake issues	-	/L/E
IntelMausiEthernet.kext	Enabling PCI Ethernet	-	/L/E or EFI
IOElectrify.kext	Enabling thunderbolt 3 Hotplug	-	/L/E or EFI
Lilu.kext	Kext patcher	Lilu plugins	/L/E or EFI
NoTouchID.kext	Prevent password prompt delays	-	/L/E
SMCBatteryManager.kext	SMC Emulation	-	/L/E or EFI
SMCLightSensor.kext	SMC Emulation	-	/L/E or EFI
SMCProcessor.kext	SMC Emulation	-	/L/E or EFI
SMCSuperIO.kext	SMC Emulation	-	/L/E or EFI
Thunderbolt3Unblocker.kext	Allow all thunderbolt 3 devices to be used	-	/L/E
USBInjectAll.kext	Inject all usuable USB ports on macOS	SSDT-UIAC.aml	/L/E or EFI
USBMap.kext		Configured by: USBMap	/L/E or EFI
VirtualSMC.kext	SMC Emulation	-	/L/E or EFI
VoodooInput.kext	TrackPad gesture recognization	-	/L/E or EFI
VoodooPS2Controller.kext	Enabling Built-in Keyboard, TrackPoint and TrackPad	-	/L/E or EFI
WhateverGreen.kext	Fixes Graphics problems in macOS	Device properties in Config.plist	/L/E or EFI

List of SSDTs and their purposes

SSDT	Purpose
SSDT-ALS0.aml	Creates emulated light sensor to save Backlight information
SSDT-BATT.aml	Enable battery percentage indication
SSDT-DMAC.aml	Expose DMA Controller on macOS (More like real Mac)
SSDT-EC.aml	Configures Embedded Controller, related to USB power
SSDT-EXT3-LedReset-TP.aml	-
SSDT-EXT4-WakeScreen.aml	-
SSDT-HPET.aml	Fixes HPET on macOS
SSDT-Keyboard-X1C6.aml	Configures Keyboard mapping on macOS
SSDT-MCHC.aml	Expose Memory Controller on macOS (More like real Mac)
SSDT-PLUGIN_TYPE.aml	Enables XNU CPU Power Management and HWP
SSDT-PNLF.aml	Enables brightness adjustment
SSDT-PTSWAK.aml	Fixes Sleep, wake issues
SSDT-SBUS.aml	Allow correct identification of SMBus on macOS
SSDT-TB3.aml	Enable Thunderbolt 3 functionality and hot-plug support
SSDT-UIAC.aml	Unblock all USB ports
SSDT-USBX.aml	Configures USB Power
SSDT-X1-Carbon-Trackpoint.aml	Configures TrackPoint speed

Useful utilities

• Hackintool
• Kext Updater
• Kext Beast
• MaciASL

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Credits

• Rehabman for most of the resources and guides
• Tonymacx86 as a discussion platform and hosts most resources
• acidanthera for OpenCore bootloader, Link: OpenCorePkg
• P1LGRIM an iDiot's guide for iMessage, Link: iDiot's guide for iMessage
• tylerngyuen for ACPI patch files, Link: tylernguyen/x1c6-hackintosh
• LeleTuratti for Thunderbolt 3 SSDT, Link: [In progress] SSDT for Thunderbolt 3 Hotplug
• The darkvoid for macOS-IOElectrify, Link: macOS-IOElectrify
• HaC Mini Hackintosh for Thunderbolt 3 Fix, Link: Thunderbolt 3 Fix (Part 1)
• noobsplanet for Internal SD Card reader patch, Link: Internal SD Card reader patch
• MadLittleMods for Ethernet on ThinkPad Thunderbolt 3 dock, Link: realtek-rtl-8153-driver-osx-info.md
• acidanthera for AppleALC, Link: AppleALC
• PMHeart for LiluFriend, Link: LiluFriend
• acidanthera for Lilu, Link: Lilu
• acidanthera for BrcmPatchRAM, Link: BrcmPatchRAM
• acidanthera for WhateverGreen, Link: WhateverGreen
• xzhih for one-key-hidpi, Link: one-key-hidpi
• headkaze for Hackintool, Link: Hackintool
• Sascha77 for Kext Updater, Link: Kext Updater
• MacMan for Kext Beast, Link: Kext Beast
• Mackie100 for Clover Configurator, Link: Clover Configurator
• notthebee for macOS USB Creator, Link: macos_usb
• corpnewt for USBMap script , Link: corpnewt/USBMap
• All contributors in the hackintosh community

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Last update: 2020-01-11 (Taipei Time)