GUIDE How to Enable Intel WiFi on macOS [Clover/OpenCore]

[EliteMacx86]

How to Enable Intel WiFi on macOS [Clover/OpenCore]​

An EliteMacx86 Exclusive Guide - This guide covers the implementation of Intel WiFi on macOS using Clover and OpenCore. By following this guide, you'll be able to enable Intel WiFi on macOS using Clover or OpenCore Bootloader.

Overview

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There are several Broadcom WiFi cards that work OOTB. However, few cards are fully supported, but you need to use an injector kext to enable the WiFi.

Non-Apple computers have been using Intel WiFi for such a long time. With a Non-Apple computer, you have very limited WiFi options and 90% of them are shipped with Intel WiFi. The other few options are Realtek and Atheros. Unfortunately, Apple does not have any drivers for Intel or Realtek based WiFi Cards and these cards are unusable since then. However, with the efforts of some developers, a new project was started and now it is possible to have the Intel WiFi working. Some functions are still limited and may not work as expected. But for users who don't have the option to replace the stock card (where the card is soldered) or if a user does not wish to replace the card and wants to have a limited experience, this can be an option. It's worth noting that currently no Intel WiFi hardware is officially supported in any OS X/macOS version. Note that this is not the ideal solution and we recommend you to install a compatible WiFi/BT Card for full functionality.

Compatibility

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Refer to the thread linked below for more information on Atheros WiFi compatibility.

WiFi Compatibility List for OS X and macOS [Broadcom, Atheros, Intel and Realtek]

WiFi Compatibility List for OS X and macOS [Broadcom, Atheros, Intel and Realtek] Following are the list of compatible and non-compatible WiFi models for Mac. For Broadcom https://www.elitemacx86.com/threads/how-to-enable-broadcom-wifi.606/ For Atheros...

elitemacx86.com

Requirements

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WiFi Hardware	Compatible Intel WiFi
Network Kexts	Original Network kexts in S/L/E
macOS Version	macOS High Sierra and Later

STEP 1: Add Required Kext

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To enable the WiFi support, you've two options

Kexts	Notes
itlwm	Requires HeliPort, which acts as a WiFi Client for Intel WiFi. Has no AirDrop or Handoff support. Works as Ethernet Interface. itlwm.kext uses Apple's IOEthernet rather than IO80211. It is purely based on open-source resources, provides stable and faster performance, and the ability to unload on Kernels that use prelined kernel
AirportItlwm	Works as standalone kext. Has AirDrop and Handoff support. Works as WiFi Interface. AirportItlwm.kext uses Apple's IO80211Family. It provides certain Airport features but lacks stability compared with itlwm.kext due to the ambiguity of reverse engineering

QUICK INFO:

• Do not use itlwm.kext and AirportItlwm.kext together.
• Never install Kernel Extensions into /Library/Extensions or /System/Library/Extensions.

Method #1: itlwm+HeliPort App
1. Download itlwm from the downloads section of this forum.
2. Mount your ESP.

For Clover:
If you're using Clover, copy itlwm.kext to EFI/Clover/Kext/Others

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

When choosing itlwm method, you'll also need to install HeliPort. HeliPort acts as a WiFi Client. To install HeliPort, follow the steps below.

1. Download HeliPort.dmg.
2. Mount the DMG.
3. Move HeliPort to the Applications folder.

NOTE:

• When using itlwm+HeliPort method, the network adapter is identified as Ethernet instead of WiFi Adapter.

Method #2: AirportItlwm
1. Download AirportItlwm and Lilu from the downloads section of this forum.
2. Mount your ESP.

For Clover:
If you're using Clover, copy AirportItlwm.kext to EFI/Clover/Kext/Others

For OpenCore:
If you're using OpenCore, copy AirportItlwm.kext 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. If the kext is already present in the directory, replace them with a new version AirportItlwm differs for each macOS version. Make sure you're using the kext according to your macOS version. For macOS Ventura, you'll need to use Method #1.

3. For macOS Catalina and prior, you need to follow one of the following steps to load IO80211Family.

• Enable Apple Secure Boot (Please read OpenCore's official manual).
• Force IO80211Family to load. 「Supports OpenCore and Clover(not tested)」 (Read the Kernel - Force section in OpenCore's manual for more info).
• Load AirportItlwm from Terminal (Continuity features may not work).

STEP 2: Restart your System

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After performing all the above steps, restart your system for the applied changes to take effect.
You can see a WiFi icon in the menu bar now. If not, you can enable it from System Preferences>Network>WiFi>Show Wi-Fi status in the menu bar.

 

[giacomo16v]

Good night to every body i've a question.....i don' undertand hoew do that part of the guide.....


You'll also need to add the kext entries in Kernel section of your config.plist.

Somebody could explain to me? I've catalina 10.15.5

Thank a lot

 

[EliteMacx86]

Good night to every body i've a question.....i don' undertand hoew do that part of the guide.....


You'll also need to add the kext entries in Kernel section of your config.plist.

Somebody could explain to me? I've catalina 10.15.5

Thank a lot

The entries means adding kexts to your OpenCore config.plist. The guide will be updated soon.

 

[Nikos365]

How to Enable Intel WiFi on macOS [Clover/OpenCore]​

An EliteMacx86 Exclusive Guide - This guide covers implementation of Intel WiFi on macOS using Clover and OpenCore.

Overview

---

There are several Broadcom WiFi cards which works OOTB. However, there are few cards which are fully supported but you need to use an injector kext to enable the WiFi.

Compatibility

---

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

WiFi Compatibility List for OS X and macOS [Broadcom, Atheros, Intel and Realtek]

WiFi Compatibility List for OS X and macOS [Broadcom, Atheros, Intel and Realtek] Following are the list of compatible and non-compatible WiFi models for Mac. For Broadcom https://www.elitemacx86.com/threads/how-to-enable-broadcom-wifi.606/ For Atheros...

www.elitemacx86.com

Requirements

WiFi Hardware	Supported Intel WiFi
Network Kexts	Original Network kexts in S/L/E
macOS Version	macOS Mojave and Later

Adding required kext

---

To enable the WiFi support, you've two options

Kexts	Notes
itlwm	Requires HeliPort, acts as a WiFi Client for Intel WiFi. Has no AirDrop or Handoff support. Works as Ethernet Interface.
AirportItlwm	Works as standalone kext. Has AirDrop and Handoff support. Works as WiFi Interface.

The next step is to download the required kexts to enable WiFi support.

For itlwm

For Clover:
If you're using Clover, copy itlwm.kext to EFI/Clover/Kext/Others

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

When going with itlwm, you'll also need to install HeliPort. To install HeliPort, follow the steps below.

Download HeliPort.dmg.
Mount the DMG.
Move HeliPort to Applications folder.

For AirportItlwm

For Clover:
If you're using Clover, copy AirportItlwm to EFI/Clover/Kext/Others

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


Restart your System

---

After performing all the above steps, restart your system for the applied changes to take effect.
You can see a WiFi icon in the menu bar now. If not, you can enable it from System Preferences>Network>WiFi>Show Wi-Fi status in menu bar.

Note:
For itlwm, you'll need to use HeliPort as a WiFi client to connect.

I get a massage for itlwm.kext "itlwm is not running after system boot "Can somebody help to get it work?

 

[EliteMacx86]

I get a massage for itlwm.kext "itlwm is not running after system boot "Can somebody help to get it work?

Use AirportItlwm method

 

[oldman20]

Hope new update fix aidrop funtion for intel card
Do u know what boot-arg to change location of wifi channel?