How to Enable AMD RX 6800, RX 6800XT and RX 6900XT on macOS Big Sur and Later

[EliteMacx86]

How to Enable AMD RX 6800, RX 6800XT and RX 6900XT Graphics on macOS Big Sur​

An EliteMacx86 Exclusive Guide - This guide covers implementation of AMD Navi RDNA2 GPU on macOS Big Sur.

Overview

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Apple has been using a wide range of AMD Graphics Card from a long time. The good news is with the release of macOS Big Sur, version 11.4, will include the drivers for AMD Navi RDNA 2 architecture lineups, which includes AMD RX 6800, RX 6800XT and 6900XT GPU variants. This means from macOS Big Sur 11.4 and future macOS version, we can have the GPU working, as long as macOS supports it.

With such a good support for AMD GPUs, it's quite easy to get AMD graphics card working on macOS Big Sur 11.4 and later which requires only few steps. The sleep/wake function also works normally without any restarts or crashes. Also you don't need to use any helper cards or IGPU.

Before using this guide, we recommend you to perform a clean installation of macOS.

Requirements

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Graphics	AMD NAVI RDNA 2
Kexts	Original Graphics kexts in S/L/E.
macOS	Big Sur 11.4 and later

Compatibility

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

AMD GPU Compatibility List for macOS

HD 2000 Series Manufacturer Model Memory Size Memory Interface Memory Interface Width Metal Compatible Sierra High Sierra Mojave Catalina Big Sur Radeon HD 2350 Radeon HD 2400 PRO Radeon HD 2400 XT Radeon HD 2600 PRO...

www.elitemacx86.com

Enabling AMD Navi RDNA 2 GPU

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The next step is to enable the GPU. To enable the GPU, you need to add some changes in your configuration. Follow the steps below.

BIOS Settings
The BIOS settings has been provided in a separate thread. For more information on BIOS settings, refer to the thread linked below.

BIOS/UEFI Settings for Workstations (Intel/AMD)

BIOS/UEFI Settings PC and Laptops (Intel/AMD) Most motherboards will work with only few changes from Optimized Defaults. Here's a Recommended BIOS/UEFI Settings for Optimal performance. The settings are valid for Intel and AMD PCs and Laptops To access your BIOS/UEFI, press and hold Delete...

www.elitemacx86.com

Adding required kexts
The next step is to download the required kexts to enable AMD Graphics. WhateverGreen doesn't works alone. WhateverGreen and Lilu is needed together to work with conjunction in order to enable the AMD Graphics and preventing any errors.

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 kexts entries in Kernel section of your config.plist

Notes :

• 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
• Download the latest version for better support.
• Download only RELEASE.zip file.

Modifying config.plist
The next step is to modify your config.plist and add a bootflag to prevent black screen after macOS finishes loading.

For Clover:
If you're using Clover, navigate to Boot section and add "agdpmod=pikera" in Boot Arguments.

For OpenCore:
If you're using OpenCore, navigate to NVRAM section and under Add, add the following changes.

UUID	Key	Value	Type	Notes
7C436110-AB2A-4BBB-A880-FE41995C9F82	boot-args	agdpmod=pikera	STRING	Adds boot args which provides several functions. agdpmod=pikera Fixes Black Screen at boot for NAVI GPUs.

Restarting your System
After performing all the above steps, restart your system for the applied changes to take effect.

Verifying your Card
Look for the information of your card under About this Mac and verify the VRAM. For more information of your Card, navigate to System Information and navigate to Graphics/Displays Tab.

Notes :

• If you get a black screen, make sure to update your BIOS and switch from Legacy to UEFI boot mode.
• If your BIOS has CSM option, disable it.
• If your BIOS has PCI ROM Priority, set it to UEFI/UEFI ROM.
• If your BIOS has Legacy Option ROMs, set it to UEFI/UEFI Only.

Problem Reporting

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Details:

1. macOS version
2. Copy of IOReg
3. Kextcache output

Screen shots:

• Hackintool>PCIe Export
• About This Mac
• System Information/Graphics/Displays

Files:

• For Clover, compress EFI/Clover, exclude the themes folder.
• For OpenCore, compress EFI/OC.

Notes:

• Do not include complete EFI folder.
• Put all files in a folder with your name, compress files as Zip and attach files using site attachments only.
• Do not use any external links.

Sample Attachment

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The AMD RX 6800 and 6900XT from AMD are used as the example in this guide.

AMD RX 6800

AMD RX 6900XT

Video Demonstration:

Credits:
mooseknuckleboi

 

[recep.67]

where are the kexts?

 

[EliteMacx86]

where are the kexts?

Check the post. It has been updated. The post already mentions "WhateverGreen and Lilu" are the required kexts.

 

[deedee]

thanks for this tutto, just one thing, i'm not sure rx6700 are op with 11.4
The 6700XT has a different device ID

 

[EliteMacx86]

thanks for this tutto, just one thing, i'm not sure rx6700 are op with 11.4
The 6700XT has a different device ID

Yes, that's correct. We're still testing it.

 

[utilman]

Hello, i have one question. I just bought a graphics card accidently
(ASRock Radeon RX 6700XT Challenger Pro 12GB OC)
and I wanted to ask now, if i should return this card, because i was reading in some forum that this card is not compatible with BigSur. Should I now return the card or will there be good hope for support in the near feature?
Thanks,
utilman

​

 

[EliteMacx86]

Hello, i have one question. I just bought a graphics card accidently
(ASRock Radeon RX 6700XT Challenger Pro 12GB OC)
and I wanted to ask now, if i should return this card, because i was reading in some forum that this card is not compatible with BigSur. Should I now return the card or will there be good hope for support in the near feature?
Thanks,
utilman

​

There might be a support in the future, but as of now, this is not supported.

 

[utilman]

Hello, i have one question. I just bought a graphics card accidently
(ASRock Radeon RX 6700XT Challenger Pro 12GB OC)
and I wanted to ask now, if i should return this card, because i was reading in some forum that this card is not compatible with BigSur. Should I now return the card or will there be good hope for support in the near feature?
Thanks,
utilman

There might be a support in the future, but as of now, this is not supported.

All right, yes, what i was reading on the internet is that the Device ID of the 21 (?) is still part of the kext and in the last update there was no support, maybe in the next. Anyway, i will return the card and wait if Apple release the drivers anytime. But i think they will not. But we will know anytime later. Thanks for response

 

[killingspree]

Thanks for this. My 6800 XT works but everytime i need to change the bios Re-Bar support to disabled instead of Auto. Is there a way to fix it ?

 

[EliteMacx86]

Thanks for this. My 6800 XT works but everytime i need to change the bios Re-Bar support to disabled instead of Auto. Is there a way to fix it ?

If your BIOS settings is changing, replace the CMOS.