Warning

This Project has been archived in favour of T2-Ubuntu-Kernel

If you are looking for a way to install Ubuntu on your mac, use the mbp-ubuntu live cd to install it.

mbp-ubuntu-kernel

Ubuntu/Mint/Debian kernel 5.6+ with Apple T2 patches built-in. This repo try to keep up with kernel new releases.

We release 2 alternative kernels: "mbp" which includes all patches from Aunali1's linux mbp arch which should work in mostly everywhere and an alternative release ("mbp-16x-wifi") which includes all patches from Jamlam's mbp-16.1-linux-wifi which should allow you to use the internal wifi on Macs that came with BigSur pre-installed.

!! Note for kernel 5.7:

The releases of the kernel 5.7: The "mbp" release did not include the patch 2001 (drm amd display force link-rate) of Aunali's. The mbp-alt included all patches**.

!! Warning:

It seems, that the kernel 5.8 is not working as smooth as the 5.7 branch. If you experience problems while installing or running the linux in your mbp, try using an older Kernel.

Drivers included:

• Apple T2 (audio, keyboard, touchpad) - https://github.com/MCMrARM/mbp2018-bridge-drv
• Apple SMC - https://github.com/MCMrARM/mbp2018-etc
• Touchbar - https://github.com/roadrunner2/macbook12-spi-driver/tree/mbp15

This project is closely inspired by mikeeq/mbp-fedora-kernel. Thank you @mikeeq for the scripts and setup.

If this repo helped you in any way, consider inviting a coffee to the people in the credits or me

CI status

Build status:

INSTALLATION

The easy way

Use the mbp-ubuntu live cd to install ubuntu on your Mac.

Manually

Add the repo to your apt sources

echo "deb https://mbp-ubuntu-kernel.herokuapp.com/ /" >/etc/apt/sources.list.d/mbp-ubuntu-kernel.list
curl -L https://mbp-ubuntu-kernel.herokuapp.com/KEY.gpg | apt-key add -
apt-get update

Install the kernel using apt, for example kernel 5.10.47:

apt-get install linux-headers-5.10.47-mbp linux-image-5.10.17-mbp

Docs

• Discord: https://discord.gg/Uw56rqW
• WiFi guide: https://wiki.t2linux.org/guides/wifi/
• blog Installing Fedora 31 on a 2018 Mac mini: https://linuxwit.ch/blog/2020/01/installing-fedora-on-mac-mini/
• iwd:
  • https://iwd.wiki.kernel.org/networkconfigurationsettings
  • https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Iwd
  • https://www.vocal.com/secure-communication/eap-types/

Ubuntu

• https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KernelTeam/GitKernelBuild
• https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Repositories/Personal
• https://medium.com/sqooba/create-your-own-custom-and-authenticated-apt-repository-1e4a4cf0b864
• https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Kernel/Compile
• https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Kernel/BuildYourOwnKernel
• https://www.linux.com/training-tutorials/kernel-newbie-corner-building-and-running-new-kernel/
• https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KernelTeam/KernelMaintenance

Github

• GitHub issue (RE history): Dunedan/mbp-2016-linux#71
• VHCI+Sound driver (Apple T2): https://github.com/MCMrARM/mbp2018-bridge-drv/
• AppleSMC driver (fan control): https://github.com/MCMrARM/mbp2018-etc/tree/master/applesmc
• hid-apple keyboard backlight patch: https://github.com/MCMrARM/mbp2018-etc/tree/master/apple-hid
• TouchBar driver: https://github.com/roadrunner2/macbook12-spi-driver/tree/mbp15
• Kernel patches (all are mentioned in github issue above): https://github.com/aunali1/linux-mbp-arch
• ArchLinux kernel patches: https://github.com/ppaulweber/linux-mba
• hid-apple-patched module for changing mappings of ctrl, fn, option keys: https://github.com/free5lot/hid-apple-patched

Credits

• @MCMrARM - thanks for all RE work
• @ozbenh - thanks for submitting NVME patch
• @roadrunner2 - thanks for SPI (touchbar) driver
• @aunali1 - thanks for ArchLinux Kernel CI and active support.
• @ppaulweber - thanks for keyboard and Macbook Air patches
• @mikeeq - thanks for the fedora kernel project and compilation scripts