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EliteMacx86

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How to Enable AMD Integrated Graphics (APU) on macOS [Clover/OpenCore]​

An EliteMacx86 Exclusive Guide - This guide describes how to enable AMD APU Graphics on macOS and is applicable to both, Clover and Opencore. By following this guide, you'll be able to achieve full QE/CI on your AMD CPU with AMD Integrated Graphics.


Overview


AMD CPUs have been supported on macOS for a while since High Sierra using the third-party vanilla-style Kernel patches developed by notable developers in the community. However, it has always required the use of dGPU to make it work, regardless of the macOS version. This becomes a problem for users who want to have a limited experience i.e. a basic system with not much Graphics capability due to their use case.

Before this, it was not possible to use any AMD Integrated Graphics (APU) on macOS. This included Laptops and Desktop based Graphics and it was recommended to disable the IGPU either from the BIOS or using one of the approaches under macOS and the AMD GPU support was limited to Desktops only and certain discrete models which were compatible with macOS/OS X on Laptops.

However, with the efforts of developers in the community and with the recent development, there is a new driver NootedRed (formerly known as WhateverRed) and it is now possible to use APU on macOS, and that too with full Graphics Acceleration.
Nonetheless, this has involved a great amount of time in bringing AMD APU support for macOS, approximately more than 2yrs but fast forward to two years of development, and yet continuing there's eventually support for AMD APUs on macOS and hopefully, there is more to see.

Please note that this is an early stage of development for AMD APUs on macOS and as of now, this could be a limited experience. Certain features may not be available and bugs are present and there can be issues across different systems, but an official version has to be released yet.

Requirements


Following are the requirements for enabling AMD APU on macOS. Please ensure you meet the requirements before proceeding with this guide.

Motherboard
  • macOS Compatible UEFI Motherboard.
CPU
  • macOS Compatible AMD CPU. See CPU Compatibility for more information.
GPU
VRAM
  • 512MiB VRAM minimum, 1GiB or more for proper functionality
Boot ModeUEFI. Legacy Boot Mode isn't supported yet. CSM must remain disabled.
macOS
  • Pre-installed macOS Big Sur 11.x or Later
SMBIOS
  • MacBookAir, MacBookPro, iMac, iMacPro, Mac mini, MacPro
  • The SMBIOS requirement remains the same as the previous one.
Monitor
  • Any monitor/TV with DP/HDMI/DVI display connection.
  • DVI users can use DVI to HDMI adapter/cable.
  • DP users can use DP to HDMI adapter/cable.
Bootloader
  • Clover
  • OpenCore
Kexts
  • Vanilla Graphics Kexts in S/L/E
  • Lilu 1.6.4 or newer
  • NootedRed (formerly WhateverRed)


Compatibility
For more information on APU compatibility, refer to the thread linked below.


Assumptions



STEP 1: Setup BIOS

The very first step is to set up BIOS to have the AMD APU Enabled on your System. If you have followed the NVIDIA Graphics Guide, you will not require this step. However, If you haven't, follow the steps below to set up your BIOS for AMD APU.

1. On your target computer, boot to BIOS. Refer to your user manual for the BIOS Key
2. Set the following parameters as shown.

SettingsValueNotes
SVM ModeEnabledThis is usually found in Advanced>CPU Configuration.
Above 4G DecodingAuto/DisabledThis is usually found under Advanced>PCI Configuration.
Resizable BAR/Clever Memory Access (C.A.M)DisabledThis is usually found under Advanced>PCI Configuration.
UMA Frame buffer SizeAutoThis is usually found under Advanced>Onboard Devices Configuration.
Integrated Graphics ControllerAutoThis is usually found under Advanced>AMD CBS>NBIO Common Options>GFX Configuration.
UMA Above 4GAutoThis is usually found under Advanced>AMD CBS>NBIO Common Options>GFX Configuration.
IOMMUEnabledThis is usually found under Advanced>AMD CBS>NBIO Common Options
Primary Video Adaptor (IGD)Int Graphics (IGD)This is usually found under Advanced>AMD PBS.
CSM (Compatibility Support Module)DisabledThis is usually found under Boot

3. Save & Exit Setup

NOTES:
  • If your Laptop has AMD or NVIDIA dGPU, it is recommended to set the Graphics Mode to Switchable Graphics.
  • If your system does not have any of the settings as mentioned above, you can simply skip those settings.

STEP 2: Add Required Kexts

The next step is to add the required kexts to enable APU Graphics. NootedRed doesn't work standalone. Lilu and NootedRed is needed together to work in conjunction. To install the kexts, follow the steps below.

1. Download Lilu and NootedRed.
2. Mount your ESP.
3. Depending on your bootloader,

For Clover:
If you're using Clover, copy all the kexts to EFI/Clover/Kext/Others directory.

For OpenCore:
If you're using OpenCore, copy all the required kexts to EFI/OC/Kexts directory. You'll also need to add the kext entries in the Kernel section of your config.plist

4. Save config.plist

STEP 3: Disable Unsupported GPU

STEP 4: Restart your System

After performing all the above steps, restart your system for the applied changes to take effect. It is recommended to reset NVRAM twice at least.


Verifying Graphics Acceleration


The next step is to verify whether the graphics acceleration is working or not. Follow the steps below to verify the Graphics acceleration.


macOS Sonoma


Laptop

Screenshot 2023-06-14 at 4.21.41 PM-min.png

Screenshot 2023-06-14 at 4.44.40 PM-min.png
Screenshot 2023-06-14 at 4.22.51 PM-min.png
Screenshot 2023-06-14 at 4.32.30 PM-min.png


macOS Big Sur

About This Mac
  • Verify the GPU Model Name and VRAM in About This Mac
Screen Shot 2023-03-24 at 11.36.43 AM-min.png
  • Verify the monitor size and resolution in About This Mac>Displays

Screen Shot 2023-03-24 at 11.36.47 AM-min.png
System Report
  • Verify the GPU information in About This Mac>System Report>Graphics/Displays
Screen Shot 2023-03-24 at 11.36.55 AM-min.png
System
  • Verify the transparency in Dock

Screen Shot 2023-03-24 at 11.36.36 AM-min.png
 
Last edited:
Hello my friend! Thank you for helping me install macOS Big Sur on my Ryzen 3200G computer. However, whenever I disable the WhateverGreen kext and enable the NootedRed kext, and enter the boot-args, I encounter a black screen issue after the verbose. Do you have any ideas? I have tried all versions, including WhateverRed.
 
Hello my friend! Thank you for helping me install macOS Big Sur on my Ryzen 3200G computer. However, whenever I disable the WhateverGreen kext and enable the NootedRed kext, and enter the boot-args, I encounter a black screen issue after the verbose. Do you have any ideas? I have tried all versions, including WhateverRed.
Do note that several commits have this issue as the kext is still under development.

Your implementation is not as per the guide. Here are a few issues:

- SSDT-PNLF is not required for Desktops without the panel.

- WhateverGreen is not required either. WhateverRed is former. The latest stable is NootedRed so you should only use that.

- SIP is not disabled.

Make sure CSM is disabled and you're using UEFI Boot Mode and the VRAM should be 1-2GB.
 
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Thanks for response. I solved the issue. It took me a day to understand. I need to use the SMCLighSensor kext. I have never tried it because I thought it was necessary for these laptops. By the way, boot arguments are no longer needed. I did not use SSDT-ALS0 and SSDT-PNLF. This kext fixed everything. Maybe if you update guide. It will help other people.
 
I solved the issue. It took me a day to understand. I need to use the SMCLighSensor kext.
That might be required if you use SSDT-PNLF.

I have never tried it because I thought it was necessary for these laptops.
Yes, indeed. It is required for Laptops or AIO systems.

By the way, boot arguments are no longer needed. I did not use SSDT-ALS0 and SSDT-PNLF. This kext fixed everything. Maybe if you update guide. It will help other people.
Provide your PR files to check further and the guide will be updated accordingly.
 
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That might be required if you use SSDT-PNLF.
Nope. I don't use that. My processor 3200G so it is desktop processor. But when I don't use this kext it gives me black screen after verbose.
Yes, indeed. It is required for Laptops or AIO systems.
But surprisingly I have a desktop computer.
Provide your PR files to check further and the guide will be updated accordingly.
Okay here you go.
 
Nope. I don't use that. My processor 3200G so it is desktop processor. But when I don't use this kext it gives me black screen after verbose.

But surprisingly I have a desktop computer.

Okay here you go.
Provide the NootedRed commit you used.
 
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Commit 885f3c5. Latest. But Chrome gives kernel panic on the computer and shutdown. I tried it with Brave as it is based on Chromium. Same situation here.
 
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