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jack338c / Thinkpad-T490-Hackintosh-OpenCore

OpenCore EFI folder and config for running macOS Monterey and newer on the Lenovo ThinkPad T490

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Lenovo ThinkPad T490 Hackintosh OpenCore

OpenCore macOS Monterey macOS Ventura macOS Sonoma
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TABLE of CONTENTS

About

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.

Notable Features

  • Compatible with macOS Sonoma
  • MicroSD Card Reader is working
  • Clamshell mode working (when connected to A/C and 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 (1.6 mb instead of 16 mb). Only Contains Firmware for Intel AC 9560.
  • YogaSMC support for additional features like CPU fan control, performance bias, all Fn Key shortcuts working, additional OSD overlays, etc.
  • No injection of PlatformInfo data into Windows.

Future Developments

  • Mapping USB Ports via ACPI instead of using USBMap.kext
  • Creating AppleALC Layout for Docking Station

Issues

  • Audio Jack creates an unpleasant buzz/noise during driver initialization. So it's best to connect Headphones to it after booting.

Specs

Category Description
Model Lenovo ThinkPad T490
Variant 20N3
BIOS UEFI: 1.79 (2023-01-16)
Embedded Controller: 1.26
CPU Intel Intel Core i5 8265U (Quad Core)
RAM 16 GB:
  • 8 GB Samsung DDR 4 @2666 Mhz (soldered)
  • 8 GB Samsung DDR 4 @2666 Mhz (RAM Slot)
Storage Samsung PM981 NVMe (unusable)
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)
Bluetooth Device: Intel Wireless Bluetooth
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

BIOS Settings

After powering on the machine, spam F1 until you hear a beep to enter the BIOS. Change the following settings:

Category Setting
Config Display
  • Shared Display Priority: HDMI
  • Total Graphics Memory: 256 MB
CPU
  • Intel Hyperthreading Technology: ON
Security Fingerprint
  • Predesktop Authentication: OFF
Security Chip
  • Security ChipON or OFF (enable for Windows 11)
Memory Protection
  • Execution Prevention: ON
Virtualization
  • Kernel DMA Protection: ON (enables VT-D by design)
I/O Port Access
  • Ethernet LAN: ON
  • Wireless LAN: ON
  • Bluetooth: ON
  • USB Port: ON
  • Memory Card Slot: ON
  • Smart Card Slot: OFF
  • Integrated Camera: ON
  • Integrated Audio: ON
  • Microphone: ON
  • Fingerprint Reader: OFF
  • Thunderbolt 3: ON
Absolute Persistance Module
  • Absolute Persistance Module Activation: Disabled
Secure Boot Configuration
  • Secure Boot: OFF
Intel SGX
  • Intel SGX Control: Disabled
Startup
  • UEFI/ Legacy Boot: UEFI Only
  • Boot Mode: Quick (Skips Diagnostics)

:bulp: Tip: Although the modern GUI is looking neat, you can navigate the menus much faster when using the old school looking "Simple Mode".

EFI Folder Content

Click to reveal 
EFI
├── BOOT
│   └── BOOTx64.efi
└── OC
    ├── ACPI
    │   ├── SSDT-ALS0.aml
    │   ├── SSDT-AWAC.aml
    │   ├── SSDTT-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-PTSWAKTTS.aml
    │   ├── SSDT-PWRB.aml
    │   ├── SSDT-THINK.aml
    │   └── SSDT-USBX.aml
    ├── Drivers
    │   ├── AudioDXE.efi (disabled)
    │   ├── HfsPlus.efi
    │   ├── OpenCanopy.efi
    │   ├── OpenRuntime.efi
    │   └── ResetNvramEntry.efi
    ├── Kexts (loaded based on Min Kernel/Max Kernel settings)
    │   ├── AirportItlwm_Sonoma.kext
    │   ├── AirportItlwm_Ventura.kext
    │   ├── AppleALC.kext
    │   ├── BlueToolFixup.kext
    │   ├── BrightnessKeys.kext
    │   ├── CPUFriend.kext
    │   ├── CPUFriendDataProvider.kext
    │   ├── ECEnabler.kext
    │   ├── IntelBluetoothFirmware.kext
    │   ├── IntelBTPatcher.kext
    │   ├── IntelMausiEthernet.kext
    │   ├── itlwm.kext
    │   ├── Lilu.kext
    │   ├── NVMeFix.kext
    │   ├── RealtekCardReader.kext
    │   ├── RealtekCardReaderFriend.kext
    │   ├── SMCBatteryManager.kext
    │   ├── USBMap_MBP152.kext
    │   ├── VirtualSMC.kext
    │   ├── VoodooPS2Controller.kext
    │   ├── VoodooRMI.kext
    │   ├── VoodooSMBus.kext
    │   ├── WhateverGreen.kext
    │   └── YogaSMC.kext
    ├── OpenCore.efi
    ├── Resources (NOTE: shows sub-folders only, no files)
    │   ├── Font
    │   └── Image
    │       └── Acidanthera
    │       │   ├── Chardonnay
    │       │   ├── GoldenGate
    │       │   └── Syrah
    │       └── Blackosx
    │       │   └── BsxM1
    │       └── Label
    └── config.plist

Preparations

Config Adjustments

  • Download the latest Release of my EFI folder and unzip it
  • Open the config.plist with the plist editor of your choice (ProperTree or OCAT for example)
  • Kexts/Add Section: decide, which Wifi kext you want to use (→ see AirportItlwm vs itlwm)
  • Go to PlatformInfo/Generic and generate MLB, Serial and ROM for MacBookPro15,2 with GenSMBIOS or OCAT. ⚠️ Don't change the SMBIOS or the USBMap.kext won't work anymore!
  • Add boot-args for debugging if you have installation issues: -v, debug=0x100 and keepsyms=1
  • UEFI/APFS: change MinVersion and MinDate to -1 for macOS Catalina and older.
  • Save your config.plist

Note: If your T490 model uses a different WiFi/BT card than Intel AC-9560, then use the official itlwm.kext because mine only contains the firmware for the 9560 so it won't work with other cards.

AirportItlwm.kext vs. itlwm.kext

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:

    • 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 much longer to connect
    • Con: Can't connect to hidden WiFi Networks
    • Con: Requires using the correct kext per macOS version, so running multiple version of macOS with this kext is not possible without renaming kexts
    • Con: Not compatible with macOS Sonoma yet

  • itlwm.kext

    • Pro: Connects much faster to WiFi hotspots and performs better than AirportItlwm
    • Pro: Supports macOS Sonoma already
    • Pro: Can connect to hidden WiFi Networks
    • Pro: Only one kext to cover WiFi across multiple versions of macOS
    • Con: Requires HeliPort app to connect to WiFi Hotspots so it can't be used during macOS installation
    • Con: Doesn't support Location Services

Suggestion: Use Ethernet during macOS installation. If you don't have access to Ethernet, disable itlwm.kext and enable AirportItlw.kext for the desired macOS version you want to install/use instead. Currently, AirportItlwm kexts for macOS and Ventura and Sonoma (test version) are included.

Enabling Hibernation

  • In config.plist:
    • Change HibernateMode to Auto
  • In System:
    • Preferences: Disable Power Nap
    • In Terminal: sudo pmset -a hibernatemode 25
    • In Terminal: sudo pmset -a standby 1

Deployment

If macOS is installed already

  • Put the EFI folder on a FAT32 formatted USB stick
  • Reboot from said USB flash drive for testing
  • If it works, place the EFI folder on the SSD of your Laptop
  • Continue with Post-Install

If macOS is not installed

  • Follow Dortania's OpenCore Install Guide to prepare a USB Installer
  • Once the USB has been created, download the latest version of HeliPort and copy the .dmg to your USB Installer
  • 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

NOTE: You will have to use Ethernet during the installation of macOS if your system requires access to the Internet.

Post-Install

  • Disable Gatekeeper: sudo spctl --master-disable
  • Mount HeliPort.dmg, drag the app into the "Programs" folder and run it.
  • Use it to connect to your WiFI Hotspot.
  • Add HeiPort to "Login Items", so it stars and connects to your WiFi Hotspot automatically.
  • Next, enable YogaSMC:
    • Download and mount YogaSMC-App
    • Drag the YogaSMCNC app into the "Programs" folder
    • Double-click the YogaSMC prefPane to install it
    • Click on its icon (⌥) in the menu bar and select "Start at Login"
    • Now you can control Fan Speeds and other settings
  • Use CPUFriendFriend to generate your own CPUFriendDataProvider.kext if your T490 uses a different CPU than mine to optimize CPU Power Management

For OCAT Users

Add the following links to the "Kext URL Upgrade" list (accessible via "Settings" in the Sync window), so kext which are marked in grey in the Sync window will be downloaded when checking for updates:

Kext URL
BlueToolFixup.kext https://github.com/zxystd/BrcmPatchRAM
IntelBluetoothFirmware.ketx https://github.com/OpenIntelWireless/IntelBluetoothFirmware
IntelMausiEthernet.kext https://github.com/CloverHackyColor/IntelMausiEthernet
itlwm.kext https://github.com/OpenIntelWireless/itlwm

Credits and Thank Yous

About

OpenCore EFI folder and config for running macOS Monterey and newer on the Lenovo ThinkPad T490