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TABLE of CONTENTS

• About
  • Before you begin
  • Notable Features
  • Known Issues
  • Future Developments
• System Specs
• BIOS Settings
• EFI Folder Content
• Preparations
  • Config Adjustments
  • AirportItlwm vs. itlwm WiFi kext
• Deployment
  • If macOS is installed already
  • If macOS is not installed
• Post-Install
  • Disable Gatekeeper (optional)
  • Fixing On-Board Audio with OCLP Mod (macOS Tahoe beta 2)
  • WiFi
    • Option 1: enableAirportItlwm.kext in macOS Sequoia
    • Option 2: ForItlwm.kext users
  • Enable YogaSMC (optional, not recommended)
  • Configure CPUFriend
  • Configure Hibernation
  • Install MonitorControl (optional)
• Understanding YogaSMC Settings
  • Disabling YogaSMC
• Compiling Intel Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Firmware kexts easily
• Credits and Thank Yous

OpenCore EFI folder and config for running macOS Sonoma and newer on the Lenovo ThinkPad T490. Read the following documentation carefully in order to install/boot macOS successfully!

⚠️ The built-in Samsung PM981a NVMe that comes with the system is NOT compatible with macOS. Youmust use a different NVMe!

• Compatible with macOS Sonoma and Sequoia (works with older versions of macOS as well, but requires different WiFi-Kexts and config adjustments)
• Woorking Thunderbolt 3 over USB-C
• New USB Port Mapping with support for docking station
• Optimized Framebuffer Patch for smoother handshake with external displays via HDMI
• Working clamshell mode (when connected to A/C and external display)
• Working MicroSD Card Reader
• Working 3D globe in Maps app (macOS 12+)
• No injection ofPlatformInfo data into Microsoft Windows.
• YogaSMC support for additional features like CPU fan control, performance bias, handlingFn Keyboard shortcuts, additional OSD overlays, etc.
• Lean EFI folder with slimmed kexts (20 MB instead of 62 MB overall):
  • AirportItlwm_Sonoma: 1,8 instead of 16 MB. Only contains Firmware for Intel AC 9560.
  • AppleALC: 86 Kb instead of 2,3 MB. Only contains layout97.
  • IntelBluetoothFirmware: 560 KB instead of 11,5 MB.
  • itlwm (1.5 mb instead of 16 mb). Only Contains Firmware for Intel AC 9560.

• Hibernation Mode 25 does not work properly
• Fingerprint sensor does not work under macOS since there is currently no way to emulate Touch ID.
• The audio combo jack creates an unpleasant buzz/noise during driver initialization. So it's best to connect headphonesafter booting.

• Adding USB ports of docking station to the USB port kext
• Creating an AppleALC Layout-ID for audio output on Docking Station
• Adjusting Framebuffer Patch so HDMI/DP Ports on docking stations can be utilized

After powering on the machine, spamF1 until you hear a beep to enter the BIOS. Change the following settings:

EFI├── BOOT│   └── BOOTx64.efi├── OC│   ├── ACPI│   │   ├── DMAR.aml│   │   ├── SSDT-ALS0.aml│   │   ├── SSDT-AWAC.aml│   │   ├── SSDT-ECRW.aml│   │   ├── SSDT-EXT1-FixShutdown.aml│   │   ├── SSDT-EXT3-LedReset-TP.aml│   │   ├── SSDT-EXT4-WakeScreen.aml│   │   ├── SSDT-GPRW.aml│   │   ├── SSDT-MCHC.aml│   │   ├── SSDT-PLUG.aml│   │   ├── SSDT-PNLF.aml│   │   ├── SSDT-PORTS.aml│   │   ├── SSDT-PTSWAK.aml│   │   ├── SSDT-T490-KBRD.aml│   │   ├── SSDT-THINK.aml│   │   └── SSDT-USBX.aml│   ├── Drivers│   │   ├── AudioDxe.efi│   │   ├── HfsPlus.efi│   │   ├── OpenCanopy.efi│   │   ├── OpenRuntime.efi│   │   └── ResetNvramEntry.efi│   ├── Kexts (Loading managed by MinKernel/MaxKernel settings)│   │   ├── AdvancedMap.kext│   │   ├── AirportItlwm_Sequoia.kext│   │   ├── AirportItlwm_Sonoma.kext│   │   ├── AMFIPass.kext│   │   ├── AppleALC.kext│   │   ├── BlueToolFixup.kext│   │   ├── BrightnessKeys.kext│   │   ├── CPUFriend.kext│   │   ├── CPUFriendDataProvider.kext│   │   ├── ECEnabler.kext│   │   ├── HibernationFixup.kext│   │   ├── IntelBluetoothFirmware.kext│   │   ├── IntelBluetoothInjector.kext│   │   ├── IntelBTPatcher.kext│   │   ├── IntelMausiEthernet.kext│   │   ├── IO80211FamilyLegacy.kext│   │   ├── IOSkywalkFamily.kext│   │   ├── itlwm.kext│   │   ├── Lilu.kext│   │   ├── NVMeFix.kext│   │   ├── RealtekCardReader.kext│   │   ├── RealtekCardReaderFriend.kext│   │   ├── RestrictEvents.kext│   │   ├── RTCMemoryFixup.kext│   │   ├── SMCBatteryManager.kext│   │   ├── SMCProcessor.kext│   │   ├── SMCSuperIO.kext│   │   ├── USBMap.kext│   │   ├── VirtualSMC.kext│   │   ├── VoodooPS2Controller.kext│   │   │   └── Contents│   │   │       └── PlugIns│   │   │           ├── VoodooInput.kext (disabled)│   │   │           ├── VoodooPS2Keyboard.kext│   │   │           ├── VoodooPS2Mouse.kext (disabled)│   │   │           └── VoodooPS2Trackpad.kext│   │   ├── VoodooRMI.kext│   │   │       └── PlugIns│   │   │           ├── RMII2C.kext (disabled)│   │   │           ├── RMISMBus.kext│   │   │           └── VoodooInput.kext│   │   ├── VoodooSMBus.kext│   │   ├── WhateverGreen.kext│   │   └── YogaSMC.kext│   ├── OpenCore.efi│   ├── Resources│   │   ├── Audio│   │   │   └── OCEFIAudio_VoiceOver_Boot.mp3│   │   ├── Font│   │   │   ├── Font_1x.bin│   │   │   ├── Font_1x.png│   │   │   ├── Font_2x.bin│   │   │   └── Font_2x.png│   │   ├── Image│   │   │   ├── Acidanthera (removed icons from tree view)│   │   │   │   ├── Chardonnay│   │   │   │   ├── GoldenGate│   │   │   │   └── Syrah │   │   │   └── Blackosx│   │   │       └── BsxM1 (removed icons from tree view)│   │   └── Label (removed files from tree view)│   └── Config.plist└── OC Changelog.md

• Download thelatest Release of my EFI folder and unzip it
• Open theconfig.plist with a plist editor (e.g. ProperTree or OCAT) and adjust the following settings based on the used version of macOS and personal preferences:
  • Graphics
    • Devices/Properties/Add/PciRoot(0x0)/Pci(0x2,0x0)
      • For macOS ≤ 13.3, disable/deleteenable-backlight-registers-alternative-fix and useenable-backlight-registers-fix instead to fix black screen issues.
      • If other issues occur, try another framebuffer patch. I collected addtitional ones which be foundhere
  • Wi-Fi: Decide, which Wi-Fi kext you want to use (→ seeAirportItlwm vs. itlwm):
    • By default, Sonoma usesAirportItlwm_Sonoma
    • By default, SequoiarequiresItlwm. But with the help of OpenCore Legacy Patcher,AirportItlwm can be used as well. And that's what I configured my config for.
  • Kernel/Quirks
    • AppleXcpmCfgLock is not required on my system. Try for yourself if your T490 needs it to boot.
  • NVRAM/Add/7C436110-AB2A-4BBB-A880-FE41995C9F82
    • Optional: addboot-args-v,debug=0x100 andkeepsyms=1 for debugging if you face issues.
  • UEFI/APFS
    • ChangeMinVersion andMinDate to-1 if you want to run macOS Catalina or older.
  • Platforminfo/Generic: SMBIOS
    • GenerateMLB,Serial andROM forMacBookPro15,2 using GenSMBIOS or OCAT.
• Save the changes

Although the Intel AC-9560 Card is compatible with both kexts (use either one or the other), there are Pros and Cons to both of them (check theFAQs for other differences):

• AirportItlwm: (used in macOS Sonoma, requires root patches in Sequoa)

  • Pro: Can be used during macOS Setup/Recovery which is not possible withitlwm.kext
  • Pro: Supports Location Services and "Find My Mac"
  • Pro: Connects faster to Wi-Fi Hotspots thanitlwm.kext
  • Con: Doesn't perform as well asitlwm.kext
  • Con: Can't connect to hidden WiFi Networks
  • Con: Requires the correct kext per macOS version, so running multiple version of macOS requires multiple versions of this kext controlled viaMinKernel andMaxKernel settings
  • Con: iMessage and FaceTime don't work when using AirportItlwm (→ SeeIssue 14)

• itlwm.kext (used in macOS Tahoe)

  • Pro:itlwm.kext works acrossmultiple versions of macOS
  • Pro: Loading webpages feels a lot quicker than withAirportItlwm
  • Pro: Can connect to hidden WiFi Networks
  • Pro: Does work with iMessage and FaceTime
  • Con: RequiresHeliPort app to connect to Wi-Fi hotspots, so it can't be used during macOS Setup/Recovery
  • Con: Doesn't support Location Services

• Pre-compiled WiFi kexts for other versions of macOS can be found in theAdditional Files section! You will need them if you want to run older versions of macOS!

• Put the EFI folder on a FAT32 formatted USB flash drive
• Reboot from said USB flash drive for testing
• If it works, mount your system's ESP, replace the BOOT and OC folders in the EFI folder
• Continue with Post-Install

• Follow Dortania'sOpenCore Install Guide to prepare a USB Installer
• Optional: Once the USB has been created, download the latest version ofHeliPort and copy the .dmg to your USB Installer (only required whenitlwm.kext is used for Wi-Fi)
• Next, mount the ESP of the USB Installer (you can useMountEFI for this)
• Put the EFI folder on the EFI partition of the USB installer
• Reboot from the USB installer
• Install macOS
• Once that is completed, continue with Post-Install

Gatekeeper can be really annoying and wants to stop you from running python scripts from github, etc. Do the following to disable it:

• Open Terminal and run:sudo spctl --master-disable
• The process has slightly changed in macOS Sequoia 15.1.1. and newermore info

Apple deleted the AppleHDA required for on-board audio in macOS 26 beta 2. Since there's no official OCLP version available for macOS Tahoe yet, we are going to useOCLP Mod to apply root patches – which will also install AppleHDA, thereby re-enabling audio. (→Instructions)

By default,Itlwm.kext is requird when running macOS 15. But if you want to useAirportItlwm.kext instead, you have to apply "Modern WiFi" patches with OpenCore Legacy patcher:

• DownloadOpenCore Legacy Patcher (.pkg).
• RemoveHeliPort from Login-Items (if present) – you won't need it any more.
• Download my EFI folder and extract it.
• Place it in your EFI partition.
• Reboot
• Reset NVRAM
• Boot into macOS Sequoia
• At this stage, WiFi won't work!
• Install OpenCore legacy patcher and run it
• Click on "Root Patches"
• Next, click on "Start Root Patching" to install the required frameworks for "Modern Wi-Fi"
• Once that's done, reboot
• Reset NVRAM and start macOS Sequoia.
• Connect to a WiFi AP via Airport-Utility

More details about this patch can be foundhere

• MountHeliPort.dmg, drag the app into the "Programs" folder and run it.
• Use it to connect to your WiFI hotspot.
• Add HeliPort to "Login Items", so it stars with macOS and connects to your WiFi network automatically.

Starting with Release 1.0.5 v1.0 of my OC EFI folder, I've disabled YogaSMC, CPUFriend and the required SSDTs due to reportedCPU performance issues. You can still re-enable it if you want to but I won't support it.

• Config Settings:
  • EnableSSDT-ECRW.aml,SSDT-THINK.aml andYogaSMC.kext
  • DisableSSDT-T490-KBRD.aml and ACPI patches for the Keyboard Shortcuts
• DownloadYogaSMC-App and mount it. This is a custom build which fixes the "Failed to open Preferences"issue in Ventura and newer
• Double-click the YogaSMCprefPane to install it
• Drag theYogaSMC app into the "Programs" folder and run it
• Click on the icon (⌥) in the menu bar and select "Start at Login"
• Now you can control performance profiles, fan speed and other settings

• UseCPUFriendFriend to generate your ownCPUFriendDataProvider.kext to optimize CPU Power Management if your T490 uses a different CPU than mine.

• Disable PowerNap:sudo pmset -a powernap 0
• Change Hibernatemode to 3:sudo pmset -a hibernatemode 3
• For more details, have a look at myHibernation Configuration Guide

MonitorControl is a helpful little tool that lets you control the brightness and contrast of external displays from the menubar.

Open the YogaSMC preference pane. You will find the following options (among others):

• DYTC: DYTC stands forDynamic Thermal Control. It allows the OS or firmware to manage the thermal characteristics of a device or component dynamically, adjusting power and performance to maintain safe operating temperatures. 3 profiles are available: "Quiet", "Balanced", and "Performance"
• If you tick thePSC support, the control for the slider becomes more nuanced. Instead of 3 positions it gets more increments. I thinkPSC refers toPower State Current in theDSDT and is used to control different levels of performance via the slider.

If you don't want to use YogaSMC, do the following:

• In macOS:
  • Open System Preferences
  • Right-Click onYogaSMCPane and remove it
  • Under "Login items" (or similar) remove the YogaSMC App from the list
• Config.plist:
  • UnderACPI, disableSSDT-THINK.aml andSSDT-ECRW.aml
  • UnderKernel, disableYogaSMC.kext

Chris1111 has created a helpful little app calledWifi-Intel-KextsBuilder which automates the process of compiling Intel Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Firmware kexts. It only requires you to have Xcode installed and will handle the rest on its own once you run it.

Wifi-Intel-KextsBuilder downloads the source code of itlwm, IntelBluetoothFirmware, MacKernelSDK and Lilu and then compiles itlwm, AirportItlwm and Intel Bluetooth Firmware kexts. They will be located under "Users/YOUR_USERNAME/Developer/Wifi-Intel-KextsBuilder/ in the "build/Release" folder of each repo.

These kexts won't be slimmed like the ones present in my EFI folders but at least you now have a simple option to compile them on your own in the future. For compiling slimmed kexts, you canfollow my guide to do so.

• Acidanthera for OpenCore, Kexts and maciASL
• Chris1111 forWifi-Intel-KextsBuilder
• CorpNewt for ProperTree, CPUFriendFriend and SSDTTime
• Dreamwhite for slimmed versions ofitlwm.kext
• ic005k for OpenCore Auxiliary Tools
• benbaker76 for Hackintool
• zxystd for Sonoma-compatible BrcmPatchRAM kext
• Special Thx to:
  • 1Revenger1 for VoodooRMI and fixing issues with the TrackPad
  • deeveedee for advice when trying to optimize the framebuffer patch for connecting to my external display.
• T490 OpenCore Repos used for referencing and ACPI hotfixes:
  • yusifsalam
  • Krissh-C
  • ganyuanzhen
  • laserdyke
  • ZoR3oL