How to Update Kexts on macOS
This guide covers updating Kexts on macOS using several methods and is supported by both i.e. Clover and OpenCore Bootloader. By following this guide, you'll be able to update the kexts on your non-Apple computer for its seamless operation.
Depending on the Bootloader you have and the method you want to use, choose one from the list for updating the kexts.
Normally, the system-related kexts can be updated by updating macOS or upgrading the macOS to a newer Family (such as Big Sur to Monterey) and the third-party kexts can be updated from the hardware manufacturer (if installed and if an update is available). However, on non-Apple computers, the process is slightly different. Before you tend to update and/or upgrade the macOS version, it is necessary to update the base kexts (kexts which are used for booting macOS). Lilu, VirtualSMC, WhateverGreen, and AppleALC are some of the common kexts that are required for every system, regardless of Platform, i.e. Intel or AMD, or System Type i.e. Desktop or Laptop. Although, these are a few basic kexts, but the list can really differ from system to system due to the difference in the hardware specifications. Updating these kexts may not only fix the issues you have with your non-Apple computer, but can also prevent boot loop during the update and/or upgrade process of a newer macOS version. Please do note that, prior to the macOS update and/or upgrade, it is highly recommended to update the Bootloader (Clover or OpenCore) and the related kexts for a seamless experience and to prevent any possible errors during the update and/or upgrade. Please see Updating Bootloader for more information.
STEP 1: Download the Kexts
STEP 2: Update the Kexts or Installing the kexts
Method #1: Manually
Using this method, you don't need any sort of app to update the kexts and can use Finder which is available within macOS. To update the kexts manually, follow the steps below:
1. Mount your ESP.
2. Depending on your bootloader,
For Clover:
If you're using Clover, navigate to EFI/CLOVER/kext/Other directory.
For OpenCore:
If you're using OpenCore, navigate to the EFI/OC/Kexts directory.
3. Note down the list of kext being used in the system. Please note that, if you haven't followed the installation guide, it might be possible that the directory may contain a few kexts which are not actively being used and there is no point in updating them. In order to verify which kexts are bring used for the active booted system, you can verify it under Kernel>Add section of your config.plist (only for OpenCore).
4. Select each kext individually using right click and then select Get Info in the context menu and note down the version number. For example, in our case, the version number of AppleALC is 1.8.3.
5. Visit the Downloads section of this forum or you can visit the author's page directly and check if there's any newer version of the kext than the current one you have. If you find any newer version of the kext, simply download it.
6. Extract the kexts from the RELEASE folder.
7. Copy the required kexts with .kext extension to the EFI/CLOVER/kexts/Others(Clover) and EFI/OC/Kexts directory (OpenCore). When prompted, select Replace.
Method #2: Using Hackintool
Hackintool is one of the widely used tool to perform several functions. To update the kexts using Hackintool, follow the steps below.
STEP 1: Download the Latest/Updated Kexts
1. Download Hackintool from the downloads section of this forum.
2. Extract the zip and you'll get the App.
3. Once extracted, open the Hackintool App.
4. Navigate to the Extensions on the top section and you'll find a list of extensions currently being used by your system along with the version number.
5. Click on the Update Version Info icon at the bottom of the App to update the version info of the kexts.
6. Select the kexts for which the newer version is available (typically in red color) and click on the Download Selected icon to download the selected kexts.
Once downloaded, you'll find the new kexts under the Hackintool_Kexts directory on your Desktop.
STEP 2: Mount the ESP
STEP 3: Install the Updated Kexts
1. Depending on your bootloader,
For Clover:
If you're using Clover, copy the required kexts with .kext extension from Hackintool_Kexts to EFI/CLOVER/kext/Other directory.
For OpenCore:
If you're using OpenCore, copy the required kexts with .kext extension from Hackintool_Kexts to the EFI/OC/Kexts directory.
2. When prompted, select Replace.
Make sure the Show Installed Only checkbox is selected
Method #3: Using OCAT
1. Download OC Auxiliary Tools from the downloads section of this forum.
2. Mount the .DMG file by openening the .dmg file
3. Move the OCAuxiliaryTools to your Applications folder
4. Open the OCAuxiliaryTools.app to launch the Application
5. Click on the Sync icon Upgrade OpenCore and Kexts icon and you'll see something similar to the following
Select the Latest Version from the Choose OpenCore Version option.
Click on Get OpenCore and it will update the OpenCore Database.
Once the OpenCore Database is updated, you'll see the following
Method #4: Using Kext Updater
NOTE: Do NOT update the USB Mapping Kext, either from Hackintool (USBPorts.kext) or from USBMap (USBMap.kext) or from UTBMap (UTBMap.kext)
This guide covers updating Kexts on macOS using several methods and is supported by both i.e. Clover and OpenCore Bootloader. By following this guide, you'll be able to update the kexts on your non-Apple computer for its seamless operation.
Depending on the Bootloader you have and the method you want to use, choose one from the list for updating the kexts.
What is Kext?
A kext is a Kernel Extension, like the one we know as drivers on Windows or Linux. Normally, the stock kexts are shipped with macOS Installer itself and the required third-party kexts can be installed as required for the various hardware you add into your system. However, on non-Apple computers, as you need to spoof the SMC, you'll need several other Community-based Kexts which are required in order to boot the macOS Installer. This not only allows booting macOS on non-Apple computers but also fixes several hardware such as Graphics and Audio.Why do I need to Update the kexts?
Often, from time to time, new bugs are found by developers and fellow users and fixes are introduced with a new revision in the kext to fix the reported bugs so that the hardware runs more reliably. In order to have those fixes, updating kexts is necessary. Similarly, on non-Apple computers, kexts must be updated accordingly, on a regular basis to prevent any issue and the purpose is the same, i.e. reliability.Normally, the system-related kexts can be updated by updating macOS or upgrading the macOS to a newer Family (such as Big Sur to Monterey) and the third-party kexts can be updated from the hardware manufacturer (if installed and if an update is available). However, on non-Apple computers, the process is slightly different. Before you tend to update and/or upgrade the macOS version, it is necessary to update the base kexts (kexts which are used for booting macOS). Lilu, VirtualSMC, WhateverGreen, and AppleALC are some of the common kexts that are required for every system, regardless of Platform, i.e. Intel or AMD, or System Type i.e. Desktop or Laptop. Although, these are a few basic kexts, but the list can really differ from system to system due to the difference in the hardware specifications. Updating these kexts may not only fix the issues you have with your non-Apple computer, but can also prevent boot loop during the update and/or upgrade process of a newer macOS version. Please do note that, prior to the macOS update and/or upgrade, it is highly recommended to update the Bootloader (Clover or OpenCore) and the related kexts for a seamless experience and to prevent any possible errors during the update and/or upgrade. Please see Updating Bootloader for more information.
STEP 1: Download the Kexts
STEP 2: Update the Kexts or Installing the kexts
Method #1: Manually
Using this method, you don't need any sort of app to update the kexts and can use Finder which is available within macOS. To update the kexts manually, follow the steps below:
1. Mount your ESP.
2. Depending on your bootloader,
For Clover:
If you're using Clover, navigate to EFI/CLOVER/kext/Other directory.
For OpenCore:
If you're using OpenCore, navigate to the EFI/OC/Kexts directory.
3. Note down the list of kext being used in the system. Please note that, if you haven't followed the installation guide, it might be possible that the directory may contain a few kexts which are not actively being used and there is no point in updating them. In order to verify which kexts are bring used for the active booted system, you can verify it under Kernel>Add section of your config.plist (only for OpenCore).
4. Select each kext individually using right click and then select Get Info in the context menu and note down the version number. For example, in our case, the version number of AppleALC is 1.8.3.
5. Visit the Downloads section of this forum or you can visit the author's page directly and check if there's any newer version of the kext than the current one you have. If you find any newer version of the kext, simply download it.
6. Extract the kexts from the RELEASE folder.
7. Copy the required kexts with .kext extension to the EFI/CLOVER/kexts/Others(Clover) and EFI/OC/Kexts directory (OpenCore). When prompted, select Replace.
Method #2: Using Hackintool
Hackintool is one of the widely used tool to perform several functions. To update the kexts using Hackintool, follow the steps below.
STEP 1: Download the Latest/Updated Kexts
1. Download Hackintool from the downloads section of this forum.
2. Extract the zip and you'll get the App.
3. Once extracted, open the Hackintool App.
4. Navigate to the Extensions on the top section and you'll find a list of extensions currently being used by your system along with the version number.
5. Click on the Update Version Info icon at the bottom of the App to update the version info of the kexts.
6. Select the kexts for which the newer version is available (typically in red color) and click on the Download Selected icon to download the selected kexts.
Once downloaded, you'll find the new kexts under the Hackintool_Kexts directory on your Desktop.
STEP 2: Mount the ESP
STEP 3: Install the Updated Kexts
1. Depending on your bootloader,
For Clover:
If you're using Clover, copy the required kexts with .kext extension from Hackintool_Kexts to EFI/CLOVER/kext/Other directory.
For OpenCore:
If you're using OpenCore, copy the required kexts with .kext extension from Hackintool_Kexts to the EFI/OC/Kexts directory.
2. When prompted, select Replace.
Make sure the Show Installed Only checkbox is selected
Method #3: Using OCAT
1. Download OC Auxiliary Tools from the downloads section of this forum.
2. Mount the .DMG file by openening the .dmg file
3. Move the OCAuxiliaryTools to your Applications folder
4. Open the OCAuxiliaryTools.app to launch the Application
5. Click on the Sync icon Upgrade OpenCore and Kexts icon and you'll see something similar to the following
Select the Latest Version from the Choose OpenCore Version option.
Click on Get OpenCore and it will update the OpenCore Database.
Once the OpenCore Database is updated, you'll see the following
Method #4: Using Kext Updater
NOTE: Do NOT update the USB Mapping Kext, either from Hackintool (USBPorts.kext) or from USBMap (USBMap.kext) or from UTBMap (UTBMap.kext)
Last edited:
