MacBookPro11,x - ArchWiki

# MacBookPro11,x

Related articles

- Installation guide
- Beginners' guide
- General Recommendations
- MacBookPro10,x
- MacBook

This wiki page should help you in getting your MacBook Pro (Late 2013) to work with Arch Linux.

## Preparing for the Installation

### Preparing the hard drive

Assuming you want to dual boot with OS X, so you can update firmware, you have to shrink its partition with Disk Utility. You can either create a HFS+ partition now to override later, or leave it empty.

## Installation

### Booting the live image

Now, download the latest Archboot ISO, write it to USB, and boot from it by selecting it in the Apple boot loader by holding `Alt` on boot (use rEFIt if you cannot manage to select it). If you are using a kernel before 3.13 when it comes to the syslinux boot loader, press `Tab` to edit the entry and append `nomodeset` to fix screen corruption, do not use nomodeset for kernel 3.13 and above, it is not needed anymore (and it will break vaapi).

### Console

Unless you are blessed with extraordinary eyesight, the console font on a retina display will be too tiny to comfortably use. For a more legible version, do:

    $ setfont sun12x22

### Internet

Note: You can skip this if you use the Thunderbolt or USB-to-Ethernet adapter for the installation.

#### Wireless

As mentioned below, `broadcom-wl` is sufficient if you are using the Linux mainline kernel. For custom kernels, you need to use `broadcom-wl-dkms`. Both are available from the AUR. The easiest way to get Wi-Fi connectivity during install is to build the package driver on a separate system. Note that it does have to be built against the exact same kernel version as used by the installer, and this may differ from the latest version. If built against the wrong kernel you may encounter an error (ERROR: could not insert 'wl': Invalid argument) upon modprobe. Build the package as follows:

    $ curl -O https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/br/broadcom-wl-dkms/broadcom-wl-dkms.tar.gz
    $ tar -zxvf broadcom-wl-dkms.tar.gz
    $ cd broadcom-wl-dkms
    $ makepkg -s

This will give you a package (`broadcom-wl-*.pkg.tar.xz`) which can be installed using pacman. Put this package on a USB drive, mount it, and install the package using:

    # pacman -U broadcom-wl-*.pkg.tar.xz
    # modprobe wl

You may now use `wifi-menu` to connect to your network of choice.

Note: You need to repeat this process when you have finished your installation and booting into the system for the first time. If kernel versions differ, you may want to ensure to install a number of essential packages while you have connectivity and before you boot into your system ,

these alow you to build the broadcom driver again and connect (provided you put the AUR tarball for the driver on USB drive too):

dkms,wpa_supplicant, dhcpcd (dialog and netctl are needed if you want to use `wifi-menu` again after you boot)

### The installation

Run the installation wizard. Just kidding. You might want to take a look at the Beginner's guide and become a wizard at standard Arch installs first.

### Bootloader

Note: Refer to the MacBook page if you do not want to have a separate partition for GRUB but rather prefer to use rEFInd (or rEFIt).
Tip: If you want to use the native MacBook bootloader, you need an extra partition of at least 128 MiB.

#### Using the MacBook's native EFI bootloader (recommended)

##### Method 1: creating an extra apple-format bootable partition with GRUB

This method uses the MacBook's native EFI bootloader, i.e. the one the can be reached when holding the alt-key during boot. For additional info, see GRUB EFI Examples#Apple Mac EFI systems.

Note: For this method you need an extra partition of at least 128 MiB. This partition will be used by the MacBook's native bootloader to launch Arch. It also assumes that you are dual-booting OS X and Arch.
Note: It's possible to avoid the HFS+ partition by using FAT32, this way you can do all the bootloader stuff right from the LiveCD.

At the end of the Arch Linux install process we would normally install GRUB (or a variation) to a partition on the drive. For this method we will place a `boot.efi` file on an extra partition used by the MacBook's native bootloader.

First, install the grub package from the official repositories. Make sure to follow the steps for setting up grub on a partition using the `grub-install` and `grub-mkconfig` commands, like normal. We will use the config file that `grub-mkconfig` creates to generate a standalone `boot.efi` file using the `grub-mkstandalone` command, then we will wipe your just-created grub partition and set it up for Mac's native bootloader (or you can simply create a new partition and leave the grub partition alone, it's up to you). Now, let's do it.

When generating a grub config file, GRUB looks to `/etc/default/grub` for its configuration. Edit the parameter `GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT` to look something like this:

    GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet rootflags=data=writeback libata.force=noncq"

The `libata.force=noncq` parameter will prevent SSD lockups and the `rootflags` option is used for SSD-performance.

Note: Do not use the `rootflags` option on Btrfs. It is not supported.

Now we generate the `boot.efi` file (in our current working directory):

    # grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg
    # grub-mkstandalone -o boot.efi -d /usr/lib/grub/x86_64-efi -O x86_64-efi /boot/grub/grub.cfg

Put this file on a USB (or other OS X accessible media) and reboot into OS X.

Launch `DiskUtility.app` and reformat the extra partition (or just make a new one) as HFS+ (in the "Erase" tab of Disk Utility), mount it, then create the following directory structure and file:

    $ mount -t hfs /dev/diskXsY <Path to root of extra partition>
    $ mkdir -p <Path to root of extra partition>/System/Library/CoreServices
    $ touch <Path to root of extra partition>/mach_kernel

where `diskXsy` is the disk your partition is on (e.g. disk0s1). You can use `diskutil list` to list your disks and partitions.

Copy the `boot.efi` file to the `<Path to extra partition>/System/Library/CoreServices/` directory. Using your editor of choice, create a `SystemVersion.plist` file in the CoreServices directory, which is located here:

    <path to extra partition>/System/Library/CoreServices/SystemVersion.plist

Edit that file to look like this:

    <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
    <plist version="1.0">
    <dict>
        <key>ProductBuildVersion</key>
        <string></string>
        <key>ProductName</key>
        <string>Linux</string>
        <key>ProductVersion</key>
        <string>Arch Linux</string>
    </dict>
    </plist>

Note: It's possible to do the above modifications to/on the extra partition from within Linux (if you've installed the proper HFS tools), but the following bless commands have to be executed from within OS X.

The last step is then to bless (make bootable) the extra partition (as root):

    # bless --folder=<Path to root of extra partition> --file=<Path to root of extra partition>/System/Library/CoreServices/boot.efi --setBoot
    # bless --mount=<Path to root of extra partition> --file=<Path to root of extra partition>/System/Library/CoreServices/boot.efi --setBoot

Note: It might not be necessary to execute both commands, but to be sure it worked it won't do any harm to execute both.
Note: In order to change grub settings both `grub.cfg` and `boot.efi` will have to be generated. This can be done from in Linux, without booting OS X.

Generate `grub.cfg` and `boot.efi` from Arch Linux:

    # grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg
    # mount -t hfsplus -o force,rw /dev/sdXY /mnt # mount the HFS+ partition
    # grub-mkstandalone -o /mnt/System/Library/CoreServices/boot.efi -d /usr/lib/grub/x86_64-efi -O x86_64-efi /boot/grub/grub.cfg

##### Method 2: Using the default EFI System Partition with Grub

This article is a stub.

Notes: Coming this weekend... (Discuss)

#### Direct EFI booting (rEFInd)

See: UEFI_Bootloaders

As of August 2013, refind can automatically detect the Arch kernel, removing the need for copying the kernel into the EFI partition. Simply install refind without the EFI file system drivers [1] using the `--nodrivers` option [2], and enable the `scan_all_linux_kernels` and `also_scan_dirs` options in `refind.conf` (see link above for instructions.).

An alternative way is to omit all the scans and put the following bootentry at the end of your "refind.conf":

    menuentry "Arch" {
      icon EFI/refind/icons/os_arch.icns
      volume <Volume label>
      ostype Linux
      loader /boot/vmlinuz-linux
      initrd /boot/initramfs-linux.img
      options "rw root=/dev/<arch partition> rootfstype=<filesystem type> libata.force=noncq"
    }

Don't forget to replace the angle brackets with your data.

#### GRUB (with OS X)

Another solution is to install GRUB. Edit `/tmp/install/boot/grub/grub.cfg` and edit the boot entry to load Linux mainline instead of the normal one.

Note: `libata.force=noncq` helps with hangs due to SSD speed.

Now cd into `/tmp/install/` and create the GRUB image by running:

    grub-mkstandalone -o bootx64.efi -d usr/lib/grub/x86_64-efi -O x86_64-efi -C xz boot/grub/grub.cfg

This will create file called `boot64.efi` which contains GRUB and the configuration file incorporated inside. It is important to `cd` into the right directory to make it pick up the configuration file and put it into the right place within the image.

Copy this file to the MacBook's EFI partition. The downside of this method is that you need to repeat this step whenever you want to change the GRUB config. Reboot the machine and you should be able to select your installed Arch Linux by keeping the `Alt` button pressed. It should appear as `EFI boot`.

To generate a nicer config use: `grub-mkconfig`, remove `quiet` if you like the text, then to update your GRUB post-installation, do this to make the GRUB EFI file and put it in the EFI partition:

    cd /
    grub-mkstandalone -o bootx64.efi -d usr/lib/grub/x86_64-efi -O x86_64-efi -C xz boot/grub/grub.cfg
    sudo mount /dev/sda1 /mnt
    sudo cp bootx64.efi /mnt/EFI/boot/bootx64.efi

Note: You'll need `hfsprogs` to run the above commands

## Post installation

### Console

Largest console font (although ugly) achieved by adding `FONT=sun12x22` to `/etc/vconsole.conf` It is still tiny but is at least readable.

### Graphics

MacBook Pro 11,1

- Intel works on 3.12 with nomodeset
- Intel works from 3.13.4-1-ARCH

MacBook Pro 11,2

- Intel works from 3.13.4-1-ARCH

MacBook Pro 11,3

- Nvidia works (both 319.60 and 331.17 drivers)
  - Follow http://cberner.com/2013/03/01/installing-ubuntu-13-04-on-macbook-pro-retina/
- Intel works after patching grub, see below

See HiDPI for information on how to tweak the system for a Retina screen.

If you are using Xfce, you will probably experience tearing in Firefox, VLC, etc. Until newer versions of xfwm support OpenGL rendering, use another compositing window manager like compton with `backend = "glx"`.

#### Getting the integrated intel card to work on 11,3

By default the integrated card is powered off. To fix this we need a grub function called "apple_set_os". This function hasn't oficially been merged yet, so we need to build grub ourselves. Download the grub-git package from the AUR. Using something like:

    $ packer -G grub-git
    $ cd grub-git

Get the patch from here: http://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/grub-devel/2013-12/msg00442.html

Put the patch contents into a file labeled something like "apple.patch"

Add this patch to your PKGBUILD and run:

    $ makepkg -si

Reboot into OS X and download gfxCardStatus v2.2.1 (newer versions do not work properly) run the app and specify the integrated card.

Reboot and at the grub prompt typ 'c' to get into console, followed by "apple_set_os" at the prompt.

You should now be able to install xf86-video-intel and get your card running.

Note that the HDMI port and MiniDP are soldered to the nvidia card meaning that to run external displays you need to use the dedicated card.

### Sound

- Headphones work
- Speakers work from kernel 3.13 and 3.12.2. 3.12.1 only with patch
  - Patch: https://bugzilla.kernel.org/attachment.cgi?id=114081.
  - See discussion here: https://bugzilla.kernel.org/show_bug.cgi?id=64401
- Optical audio can be turned off and on with above sound patch.

If you do not want to hear the annoying sound at system start-up, one way to get rid of it is to turn sound off while under Mac OS.

Volume keys can be made to work with `xfce4-volumed` (if you are using Xfce).

Also, if you are using PulseAudio, sometimes it thinks HDMI is the default sound card; to solve this problem, install pavucontrol and set Analog Stereo as the fallback device.

### Touchpad

One method is to install xf86-input-synaptics and configure to your liking in `/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/50-synaptics.conf`:

    Section "InputClass"
        MatchIsTouchpad "on"
        Identifier      "touchpad catchall"
        Driver          "synaptics"
        # 1 = left, 2 = right, 3 = middle
        Option          "TapButton1" "1"
        Option          "TapButton2" "3"
        Option          "TapButton3" "2"
        # Palm detection
        Option          "PalmDetect" "1"
        # Horizontal scrolling
        Option "HorizTwoFingerScroll" "1"
        # Natural Scrolling (and speed)
        Option "VertScrollDelta" "-100"
        Option "HorizScrollDelta" "-100"
    EndSection

#### Ctrl-Click as Right-Click

Using this SuperUser receipt [3] I got Ctrl-click working as right-click. I had to increase the sleep time to 0.1 though.

#### input-mtrack

Another method is to use xf86-input-mtrack-git [4]. If you like to have a thumb resting on the touchpad, this driver is the right choice, because it has an option for IgnoreThumb.

With this config the touchpad behavior becomes more osx-like.

    /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/00-touchpad.conf

    Section "InputClass"
        MatchIsTouchpad "on"
        Identifier      "Touchpads"
        Driver          "mtrack"
        Option          "Sensitivity" "0.70"
        Option          "FingerHigh" "8"
        Option          "FingerLow" "1"
        Option          "IgnoreThumb" "true"
        Option          "IgnorePalm" "true"
        Option          "TapButton1" "1"
        Option          "TapButton2" "2"
        Option          "TapButton3" "0"
        Option          "TapButton4" "0"
        Option          "ClickFinger1" "1"
        Option          "ClickFinger2" "3"
        Option          "ClickFinger3" "3"
        Option          "ButtonMoveEmulate" "false"
        Option          "ButtonIntegrated" "true"
        Option          "ClickTime" "25"
        Option          "BottomEdge" "30"
        Option          "SwipeLeftButton" "8"
        Option          "SwipeRightButton" "9"
        Option          "SwipeUpButton" "0"
        Option          "SwipeDownButton" "0"
        Option          "ScrollDistance" "75"
        Option          "VertScrollDelta" "-111"
        Option          "HorizScrollDelta" "-111"
    EndSection

### Keyboard backlight

- Works, see MacBook#Keyboard_Backlight
- On KDE the backlight and the increse/decrese brightness keys work fine, but they need upower to start before the desktop. To do this create the file `/etc/systemd/system/kdm.service.d/kbd_backlight.conf` with this content (you might need to create the directory as well)

    [Unit]
    Requires=upower.service
    After=upower.service

### Screen backlight

- Intel, works on Linux 3.13
- Framebuffer, works for MacBook Pro 11,1 and 11,3 via `/sys/class/backlight/gmux_backlight/brightness`.
- Nvidia, does not work using default settings. Try adding `setpci -v -H1 -s 00:01.00 BRIDGE_CONTROL=0` to `/etc/rc.local`.

Note: If the screen doesn't show the prompt or the login manager (i.e. a black screen), append `i915.invert_brightness=1` to the kernel.

### Suspend

- Works on MacBook Pro 11,2 with Linux 3.13
- No backlight after suspend with Linux 3.12
  - Use hibernate instead

### SD Card Reader

- Disappears sporadically after suspend as of Linux 3.18. Workaround is to create `/etc/modprobe.d/xhci-reset-on-suspend.conf` with:

      # Reset XHCI USB devices on suspend/resume, fixes SD Card reader vanishing after suspend
      options xhci_hcd quirks=0x80

### Repurpose the power key

By default systemd handles the rMBPs power key as defined in /etc/systemd/logind.conf. By setting

       HandlePowerKey=ignore

systemd ignores power key events.

Now the power key can be repurposed as keycode 124. For example in i3 conf:

       bindcode 124 ...

## What does not work

Updated 2015-01-22

### General

### Wi-Fi

- broadcom-wl or broadcom-wl-dkms from the AUR works
  - Stability is an issue for some

### Web cam

- Listed on PCI bus as: Multimedia controller: Broadcom Corporation Device 1570.
- In OS X, the camera is listed as FaceTime HD camera 1570.
- No known Linux driver. Kernel.org Bug

## Discussions

- https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=171883

## See also

- MacBookPro10,x
- MacBook

Category:

- Apple