How to Enable NVIDIA Graphics on macOS [Clover/OpenCore]
An EliteMacx86 Exclusive Guide - This guide covers the implementation of NVIDIA Graphics on macOS for Clover and OpenCore. By following this guide, you'll be able to enable NVIDIA Graphics on macOS using Clover or OpenCore Bootloader.
Overview
NVIDIA Graphics is easy to install and set up and works with very minimal edits on macOS. The NVIDIA Drivers are supplied by Apple (via macOS Updates) and NVIDIA.
NVIDIA Web Drivers are mandatory if you're using an NVIDIA GPU for your build (unless you're using some of the officially supported OOB cards). Also, installing NVIDIA WebDrivers can increase the overall system performance.
Requirements
| Graphics | macOS Compatible NVIDIA GPU |
| Kexts | Original Graphics kexts in S/L/E |
| macOS Version | OS X Panther 10.3 and later |
Compatibility
For more information on GPU compatibility, refer to the thread linked below.
NVIDIA GPU Compatibility List for macOS 100 Series (Tesla) Model Metal 10.6.x 10.7.x 10.8.x 10.9.x 10.10.x 10.11.x 10.12.x 10.13.x 10.14.x 10.15.x 11.x 12.x 13.x GeForce G 100 Yes Yes Yes (With patch No No No No GeForce GT 120 Yes Yes No No No No No GeForce...
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For macOS Monterey and later, see here
How to Enable NVIDIA Graphics on macOS Monterey and Later An EliteMacx86 Exclusive Guide - This guide covers the implementation of NVIDIA Graphics on macOS Monterey and Later. By following this guide, you'll be able to achieve full QE/CI on your system. Overview Apple has been supporting...
elitemacx86.com
Graphics Type
There are two types of NVIDIA Graphics Card. One is Native and the second is Cards which requires NVIDIA WebDriver to work. For Native Cards (which works OOTB and requires no Web Drivers) you don't need to set any parameters.
STEP 1: Setup BIOS
The very first step is to set up BIOS to have the NVIDIA GPU Enabled on your System. Follow the steps below to set up your BIOS for NVIDIA GPU.
1. On your target computer, boot to BIOS. Refer to your user manual for the BIOS Key
2. Set the following parameters as shown.
| Settings | Value | Notes |
|---|
| Initial PCIe Output Display | PCIe/Auto/Enabled | Depending on your System's BIOS, use one of the Values available |
| Intel Processor Graphics | Disabled | |
3. Save & Exit Setup
STEP 2: Remove Outdated Kexts, Injections, and ACPI Renames
Once you have set up the BIOS, the next step is to remove the kexts, injections, and ACPI renames that can interfere with the Graphics implementation. To remove such, follow the steps below.
Kexts Removal
If you're using any of these kexts listed below, it is recommended to remove them. See notes below.
1. Mount your ESP
2. Remove the following kexts.
- IntelGraphicsFixup.kext
- NvidiaGraphicsFixup.kext
- CoreDisplayFixup.kext
- Shiki.kext
- IntelGraphicsDVMTFixup.kext
- AzulPatcher4600.kext
- AppleBacklightFixup.kext,
- FakePCIID_Intel_HD_Graphics.kext
- FakePCIID_Intel_HDMI_Audio.kext
- FakePCIID.kext
NOTES:
- If you're using OpenCore, you'll also need to remove the kext entries from your kernel section in your config.plist
- For Mojave and prior, make sure these kexts don't exist in Library/Extensions or System/Library/Extensions.
- Do not remove FakePCIID.kext if you're using any other FakePCIID plugins.
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Clover Properties and Injections
If you're using Clover, you need to disable Clover properties and injections.
1. Mount your ESP
2. Open your config.plist and disable and/or remove the following from their respective sections
Disable DSDT Fixes
The DSDT fixes can be disabled in
Acpi>Fixes section.
- AddHDMI
- FixDisplay
- FixIntelGfx
- AddIMEI
- FixHDA
- AddPNLF
Remove Fake IDs
The Fake IDs can be disabled in the
Devices>Fake ID section.
Disable injection properties
The injection properties can be disabled in the
Devices>Properties section.
- Inject
- UseIntelHDMI
- HDMIInjection
- SetIntelBacklight
- SetIntelMaxBacklight
Disable Graphics Injection
The Graphics injection can be disabled in the Graphics section
Remove ig-platform-id
The ig-platform-id can be removed in the Graphics section
ACPI Renames
If you're using any ACPI renames, you'll need to disable or delete the ACPI renames as these can conflict with WhateverGreen's automatic renames.
1. Mount your ESP
2. Open your config.plist and remove the following ACPI renames. For Clover, it's in
Acpi>DSDT>Patches section, and for OpenCore, it's under
ACPI>Patch section.
- GFX0 to IGPU
- PEGP to GFX0
- HECI to IMEI
- MEI to IMEI
- HDAS to HDEF
- B0D3 to HDAU
STEP 3: Add Required Kexts
The next step is to add the required kexts to enable Graphics and to use the WhateverGreen properties. WhateverGreen doesn't work standalone. Lilu and WhateverGreen are needed together to work in conjunction.
1. Download Lilu and WhateverGreen from the downloads section of this forum.
2. Mount your ESP.
For Clover:
If you're using Clover, copy both the kexts to
EFI/Clover/Kext/Others
For OpenCore:
If you're using OpenCore, copy both the kexts to EFI/OC/Kexts. You'll also need to add the kext entries in the
Kernel section of your config.plist.
NOTES:
- Download the latest version for better support.
- Download only the RELEASE.zip file.
- If the kext is already present in the directory, replace them with a new version
- Do not use WhateverGreen.kext.dSYM, WhateverName.app and Lilu.kext.dSYM
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For Cards requiring NVIDIA Web Drivers, follow the steps below.
STEP 1: Modifying config.plist
The first step is to modify the config.plist. It involves adding boot args and other values, depending on your Bootloader
For Clover
1. Mount your ESP.
2. Open config.plist from EFI/Clover directory
3. Go to the Boot section and make sure to uncheck "nv_disable=1", if already enabled.
4. Under
System Parameters, tick NVIDIAWeb
5. Save your config.plist
For OpenCore:
If you're using OpenCore as a bootloader, you can follow the steps below.
1. Mount your EFI Partition
2. Open your config,plist
3. Under the NVRAM section, add the following
| UUID | Key | Value | Type | Notes |
|---|
| 7C436110-AB2A-4BBB-A880-FE41995C9F82 | nvda_drv | 31 | DATA |
- Enables loading of NVIDIA Drivers
- Similar to Clover's NVIDIAWeb
|
4. Save your config.plist
STEP 2: Installing NVIDIA WebDrivers
To install NVIDIA Driver, you must have an NVIDIA Graphics Card installed. Follow the steps below for the installation. The installation process is very simple.
1. Download the NVIDIA Driver according to your macOS Version.
2. Open the package and proceed with the installation
3. When prompted, enter your password.
4. Once completed successfully, you'll see the screen below
NOTE:
- If your GPU requires NVIDIA WebDrivers, you'll need to install it.
- Web Drivers are officially available up to High Sierra only. For activating the acceleration, you'll need to old High Sierra Installer.
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STEP 3: Restart your System
After performing all the above steps, restart your system for the applied changes to take effect.
Restart your system and you should have NVIDIA Drivers enabled on Mac.
