TABLE of CONTENTS
- About
- Issues
- Specs
- BIOS Settings
- EFI Folder Content
- Preparations
- Deployment
- Post-Install
- Understanding YogaSMC Settings
- For OCAT Users
- Credits and Thank Yous
OpenCore EFI folder and config for running macOS Monterey and newer on the Lenovo ThinkPad T490. Read the documentation carefully in order to boot macOS successfully.
Caution
Upgrading from to macOS 14.3.1 to 14.4 via System Update causes a Kernel Panic during install! Disable AiportItlwm and enable itlwm.kext insteaed. Set SecureBootModel to Disabled, Reset NVRAM and run the update again. If this does not work, follow this workaround to install macOS 14.4 on a new APFS volume. Use Migration Manager afterwards to get your data onto the new volume!
- Compatible with macOS Sonoma
- OS-independent USB port mapping via ACPI!
- Working MicroSD Card Reader
- Working Clamshell mode (when connected to A/C and external display)
- Optimized Framebuffer Patch for smoother handshake with external display
- Lean EFI folder with slimmed kexts (20 mb instead of 70) :
- AppleALC (87 kB instead of 2.2 mb). Only contains layout
97. - AirportItlwm (1.7 mb instead of 16 mb). Only Contains Firmware for Intel AC 9560.
- itlwm (1.5 mb instead of 16 mb). Only Contains Firmware for Intel AC 9560.
- AppleALC (87 kB instead of 2.2 mb). Only contains layout
- YogaSMC support for additional features like CPU fan control, performance bias, all Fn Key shortcuts working, additional OSD overlays, etc.
- No injection of
PlatformInfodata into Windows. - 3D globe view in Maps (macOS 12+)
- Creating AppleALC Layout for Docking Station
- Audio Jack creates an unpleasant buzz/noise during driver initialization. So it's best to connect Headphones to it after booting.
Important
Before reporting any issues, ensure that your system uses the latest UEFI and EC Firmware as I do. I have no time trying to fix issues which are not caused by my EFI but rather by running the system on outdated firmware!
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Model | Lenovo ThinkPad T490 |
| Variant | 20N3 |
| BIOS | UEFI: v1.82 (2024-02-22) Embedded Controller: v1.27 |
| CPU | Intel Intel Core i5 8265U (Quad Core) |
| RAM | 16 GB:
|
| Storage | 250 GB M.2 Crucial MX 500 SATA SSD |
| Display | Full HD (1080p) (Non-Touch) |
| iGPU | Intel(R) Grpahics UHD 620 (spoofed as Iris 655, BusID: 2) |
| dGPU | None |
| Audio | Realtek ALC257 (using Layout 97) |
| Thunderbolt | Titan Ridge Thunderbolt 3 Connector (USB-C) (Reported working but I don't have any gear to test it) |
| Ethernet | Intel I219-V |
| WiFi | Intel AC-9560 Firmware: iwm-9000-46 (Screenshot) |
| Bluetooth | Device: Intel Wireless Bluetooth BT Version: 5.1 VID: 0x8087, PID: 0x0aaa Firmware: ibt-17-16-1.sfi, ibt17-16-1.ddc USB Port: HS10 |
| Trackpad | Synaptics Device-id: pci8086,9de8. Controlled via SMBus. |
| SD Card Reader | Realtek MicroSD Card Reader |
| Dock | ThinkPad Ultra Docking Station |
After powering on the machine, spam F1 until you hear a beep to enter the BIOS. Change the following settings:
| Category | Setting |
|---|---|
| Config | Display
|
| Security | Fingerprint
|
| Startup |
|
Click to reveal
EFI
├── BOOT
│ └── BOOTx64.efi
├── OC
│ ├── ACPI
│ │ ├── DMAR.aml
│ │ ├── SSDT-ALS0.aml
│ │ ├── SSDT-AWAC.aml
│ │ ├── SSDT-ECRW.aml
│ │ ├── SSDT-EXT1-FixShutdown.aml
│ │ ├── SSDT-EXT3-LedReset-TP.aml
│ │ ├── SSDT-EXT4-WakeScreen.aml
│ │ ├── SSDT-GPRW.aml
│ │ ├── SSDT-MCHC.aml
│ │ ├── SSDT-PLUG.aml
│ │ ├── SSDT-PNLF.aml
│ │ ├── SSDT-PORTS.aml
│ │ ├── SSDT-PTSWAK.aml
│ │ ├── SSDT-THINK.aml
│ │ └── SSDT-USBX.aml
│ ├── Drivers
│ │ ├── AudioDxe.efi
│ │ ├── HfsPlus.efi
│ │ ├── OpenCanopy.efi
│ │ ├── OpenRuntime.efi
│ │ └── ResetNvramEntry.efi
│ ├── Kexts (Loading managed by MinKernel/MaxKernel settings)
│ │ ├── AMFIPass.kext
│ │ ├── AdvancedMap.kext
│ │ ├── AirportItlwm_Monterey.kext
│ │ ├── AirportItlwm_Sonoma.kext
│ │ ├── AirportItlwm_Ventura.kext
│ │ ├── AppleALC.kext
│ │ ├── BlueToolFixup.kext
│ │ ├── BrightnessKeys.kext
│ │ ├── CPUFriend.kext
│ │ ├── CPUFriendDataProvider.kext
│ │ ├── ECEnabler.kext
│ │ ├── IntelBTPatcher.kext
│ │ ├── IntelBluetoothFirmware.kext
│ │ ├── IntelBluetoothInjector.kext
│ │ ├── IntelMausiEthernet.kext
│ │ ├── itlwm.kext (disabled)
│ │ ├── Lilu.kext
│ │ ├── NVMeFix.kext
│ │ ├── RealtekCardReader.kext
│ │ ├── RealtekCardReaderFriend.kext
│ │ ├── RestrictEvents.kext
│ │ ├── SMCBatteryManager.kext
│ │ ├── SMCProcessor.kext
│ │ ├── SMCSuperIO.kext
│ │ ├── VirtualSMC.kext
│ │ ├── VoodooPS2Controller.kext
│ │ │ └── Contents
│ │ │ └── PlugIns
│ │ │ ├── VoodooInput.kext (disabled)
│ │ │ ├── VoodooPS2Keyboard.kext
│ │ │ ├── VoodooPS2Mouse.kext (disabled)
│ │ │ └── VoodooPS2Trackpad.kext
│ │ ├── VoodooRMI.kext
│ │ │ └── PlugIns
│ │ │ ├── RMII2C.kext (disabled)
│ │ │ ├── RMISMBus.kext
│ │ │ └── VoodooInput.kext
│ │ ├── VoodooSMBus.kext
│ │ ├── WhateverGreen.kext
│ │ └── YogaSMC.kext
│ ├── OpenCore.efi
│ ├── Resources
│ │ ├── Audio
│ │ │ └── OCEFIAudio_VoiceOver_Boot.mp3
│ │ ├── Font
│ │ │ ├── Font_1x.bin
│ │ │ ├── Font_1x.png
│ │ │ ├── Font_2x.bin
│ │ │ └── Font_2x.png
│ │ ├── Image
│ │ │ ├── Acidanthera (removed icons from tree view)
│ │ │ │ ├── Chardonnay
│ │ │ │ ├── GoldenGate
│ │ │ │ └── Syrah
│ │ │ └── Blackosx
│ │ │ └── BsxM1 (removed icons from tree view)
│ │ └── Label (removed files from tree view)
│ └── Config.plist
└── OC Changelog.md
- Download the latest Release of my EFI folder and unzip it
- Open the config.plist with a plist editor (e.g. ProperTree or OCAT) and adjust the following settings based on the used version of macOS and personal preferences:
- Graphics
Devices/Properties/Add/PciRoot(0x0)/Pci(0x2,0x0)- If you plan to install macOS 13.3 or older, disable/delete
enable-backlight-registers-alternative-fixand useenable-backlight-registers-fixinstead to fix black screen issues. - If other issues occur, try the other framebuffer patch in the config (the one that's disable by
#)! - An additional list of Framebuffer Patches can be found here
- If you plan to install macOS 13.3 or older, disable/delete
- Wi-Fi: Decide, which Wi-Fi kext you want to use (→ see AirportItlwm vs itlwm). AirportItlwm is enabled by default.
- Kernel/Quirks:
AppleXcpmCfgLockis not required on my system. Try for yourself if your T490 can boot without it.
- NVRAM/Add/7C436110-AB2A-4BBB-A880-FE41995C9F82
- Optional: add
boot-args-v,debug=0x100andkeepsyms=1for debugging if you face issues.
- Optional: add
- UEFI/APFS
- Change
MinVersionandMinDateto-1if you want to run macOS Catalina or older.
- Change
- Platforminfo/Generic: SMBIOS
- Generate
MLB,SerialandROMforMacBookPro15,2using GenSMBIOS or OCAT.
- Generate
- Graphics
- Save the changes
Caution
- Don't change the SMBIOS or the USB port mapping stored in
USBMap_MBP152.kextwon't be applied and Bluetooth won't work either! If you must change the SMBIOS then you also need to change themodelproperty inside theinfo.plistof the kext to match the selected SMBIOS as well (instructions). - If your T490 model uses a different WiFi/BT card thn the stock Intel AC-9560 card, use the official itlwm.kext instead because mine only contains the firmware for the 9560 so it won't work with other cards.
Although the Intel AC-9560 Card is compatible with both kexts (use either one or the other), there are Pros and Cons to both of them (check the FAQs for other differences):
-
AirportItlwm: (default)
- Pro: Can be used during macOS installation which is not possible with
itlwm.kext - Pro: Supports Location Services and "Find My Mac"
- Con: Doesn't perform as well as itlwm.kext and takes a bit longer to connect to access points
- Con: Can't connect to hidden WiFi Networks
- Con: Requires using the correct kext per macOS version, so running multiple version of macOS requires multiple versions of this kext controlled via
MinKernelandMaxKernelsettings - Con: iMessage and FaceTime don't work when using AirportItlwm (→ See Issue 14)
- Pro: Can be used during macOS installation which is not possible with
-
itlwm.kext (disabled)
- Pro: Connects much faster to WiFi hotspots and loading times feel slightly better than with
AirportItlwm - Pro: Can connect to hidden WiFi Networks
- Pro: Does work with iMessage and FaceTime
- Pro: Only one kext to cover WiFi across multiple versions of macOS
- Con: Requires HeliPort app to connect to Wi-Fi hotspots, so it can't be used during macOS installation
- Con: Doesn't support Location Services
- Pro: Connects much faster to WiFi hotspots and loading times feel slightly better than with
Note
My config uses AirportItlw.kext by default since it allows accessing the internet during macOS installation (unlike itlwm.kext which requires an additional app to do so). Currently, AirportItlwm kexts for macOS Monterey, Ventura and Sonoma are included. My itlwm.kext is a slimmed-down version only containing the firmware for the Intel AC-9560 (1,5 MB instead of 16,1 MB). If you want to use itlwm, disable AirportItlwm (all variants) and enable itlwm in the config.plist instead. Next, download the Helipad app, run it and add it to "Login Items" (in System Settings) so that it starts automatically with macOS.
- Put the EFI folder on a FAT32 formatted USB flash drive
- Reboot from said USB flash drive for testing
- If it works, mount your system's ESP, replace the BOOT and OC folders in the EFI folder
- Continue with Post-Install
- Follow Dortania's OpenCore Install Guide to prepare a USB Installer
- Optional: Once the USB has been created, download the latest version of HeliPort and copy the .dmg to your USB Installer (only required when
itlwm.kextis used for Wi-Fi) - Next, mount the ESP of the USB Installer (you can use MountEFI for this)
- Put the EFI folder on the EFI partition of the USB installer
- Reboot from the USB installer
- Install macOS
- Once that is completed, continue with Post-Install
- Disable Gatekeeper:
sudo spctl --master-disablebecause it is annoying and wants to stop you from running scripts from github etc. - Wi-Fi (
itlwm.kextusers only):- Mount HeliPort.dmg, drag the app into the "Programs" folder and run it.
- Use it to connect to your WiFI hotspot.
- Add HeliPort to "Login Items", so it stars with macOS and connects to your WiFi network automatically.
- YogaSMC:
- Download YogaSMC-App and mount it. This is a custom build which fixes the "Failed to open Preferences" issue in Ventura and nwer
- Double-click the YogaSMC prefPane to install it
- Drag the
YogaSMCapp into the "Programs" folder and run it - Click on the icon (⌥) in the menu bar and select "Start at Login"
- Now you can control performance profiles, fan speed and other settings
- Use CPUFriendFriend to generate your own
CPUFriendDataProvider.kextto optimize CPU Power Management if your T490 uses a different CPU than mine. - Enabling Hibernation: Use Terminal or change in Hackintool
- Disable PowerNap:
sudo pmset -a powernap 0 - Change Hibernatemode to 25:
sudo pmset -a hibernatemode 25
- Disable PowerNap:
Open the YogaSMC preference pane. You will find the following options (among others):
DYTC: DYTC stands forDynamic Thermal Control. It allows the OS or firmware to manage the thermal characteristics of a device or component dynamically, adjusting power and performance to maintain safe operating temperatures. 3 profiles are available: "Quiet", "Balanced", and "Performance"- If you tick the
PSC support, the control for the slider becomes more nuanced. Instead of 3 positions it now has more a lot more increments. I thinkPSCrefers toPower State Currentin theDSDTand is used to control different levels of performance via the slider.
Add the following entries to the "Kext URL Upgrade" list accessible via "Settings" from the "Sync" window (if not present already), so kext which are marked in grey in the Sync window will be downloaded when checking for updates:
| Kext Name | Source URL |
|---|---|
| AdvancedMap.kext | https://github.com/notjosh/AdvancedMap |
| AirportItlwm.kext | https://github.com/OpenIntelWireless/itlwm |
| IntelBluetoothFirmware.kext | https://github.com/OpenIntelWireless/IntelBluetoothFirmware |
| IntelMausiEthernet.kext | https://github.com/CloverHackyColor/IntelMausiEthernet |
| itlwm.kext | https://github.com/OpenIntelWireless/itlwm |
| RealtekCardReader.kext | https://github.com/0xFireWolf/RealtekCardReader |
| RealtekCardReaderFriend.kext | https://github.com/0xFireWolf/RealtekCardReaderFriend |
Important
Don't update AirportItlwm.kext, AppleALC.kext, IntelBluetoothFirmware.kext and itlwm.kext via OCAT because then you lose the slimmed versions of these kexts!
Chris1111 has created a helpful little app called Wifi-Intel-KextsBuilder which automates the process of compiling Intel Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Firmware kexts. It only requires you to have Xcode installed and will handle the rest on its own once you run it.
Wifi-Intel-KextsBuilder downloads the source code of itlwm, IntelBluetoothFirmware, MacKernelSDK and Lilu and then compiles itlwm, AirportItlwm and Intel Bluetooth Firmware kexts. They will be located under "Users/YOUR_USERNAME/Developer/Wifi-Intel-KextsBuilder/ in the "build/Release" folder of each repo.
These kexts won't be slimmed like the ones present in my EFI folders but at least you now have a simple option to compile these kexts on your own in the future.
- Acidanthera for OpenCore, Kexts and maciASL
- Chris1111 for Wifi-Intel-KextsBuilder
- CorpNewt for ProperTree, CPUFriendFriend and SSDTTime
- Dreamwhite for slimmed versions of itlwm.kext
- ic005k for OpenCore Auxiliary Tools
- benbaker76 for Hackintool
- zxystd for Sonoma-compatible BrcmPatchRAM kext
- Special Thx to:
- 1Revenger1 for VoodooRMI and fixing issues with the TrackPad
- deeveedee for advice when trying to optimize the framebuffer patch for connecting to my external display.
- T490 OpenCore Repos used for referencing and ACPI hotfixes: