Welcome to the AMD OS X FAQ. Here we aim to provide you with enough information so you can squash any bugs or issues you have with ease and speed.

Intro

Tools

These aren't a requirement but do assist in making it easier to perform tasks.:

  • AMD OS X Knowledge Base: A collection of tools and guides that you might find useful for installing macOS on you AMD machine.
  • Clover Bootloader: This is the software that will allow you to boot from the HDD/SSD without the USB Installer.
  • Clover Configurator: This software allows you to configure Clover.

Support

If you require further support that this page cannot offer please visit the Forums or the Discord server.

Compatibility

When it comes to an AMD Hackintosh compatibility is often questioned. Truth is if the device works on an Intel hackintosh it'll work on AMD too.
There's no specific motherboard that won't work but there are some that can make it harder. Gigabyte boards are normally the choice of many.

As for CPUs, Just about every AMD CPU is supported by the modified kernel. It's the system that limits it. From Sierra onwards your CPU must support the SSE4.1 CPU instruction.
This currently isn't emulated by the kernel and most likely won't be added. FX and Ryzen systems have the required instructions to run.

BIOS Settings

The only true requirement in the BIOS is that SATA is set to AHCI. If there's no option then it's most likely already on. The other settings below are for optimisation.

  • APU/Integrated graphics = Disabled
  • EHCI Handoff = Enabled
  • XHCI Handoff = Enabled
  • Cool'n'Quiet = Enabled
  • Serial and Parallel ports = Disabled
  • HPET = Enabled
  • HPC = Enabled

Notes

Some useful pointers to take note of.

  • Sierra 10.12 onwards is only compatible with CPUs that have the SSE4.1 / 4.2 Instructions for now.
  • Sleep doesn't always work with macOS on AMD. It'll work or it won't.
  • It's always best to install macOS to a separate HDD/SSD and keep your other Operating System separate.

Known Issues

These issues are known on AMD systems and no known fix is available but will be looked at when time allows.

  • iMessage.
  • FaceTime.
  • Siri.
  • Issue on High Sierra with Nvidia Performance.

Booting the Install

Some machines will fall at the first hurdle, there can be a few reasons for this. The main issue is USB support. This applies more to non Ryzen systems when booting the USB Installer.

You may be faced with a symbol with the last text entry on boot referring to "Still waiting for root device".

In most cases to remedy this you need to perform a USB Hot Swap. To do this simply start the installation booting and once the system leaves the bootloader and starts the macOS boot sequence swap your USB device to another USB port.

If this doesn't fix the issue please refer to the Forums or Discord for support.

Disk Utility

Disk Utility

Before installing macOS you must first format your install drive.
From the installer, navigate to "Utilities" and open Disk Utility. Make sure view is set to "Show All Devices".

WARNING:

Erasing your disk will delete all your files including Windows. Do NOT erase your Windows drive if you're not okay with losing your Windows installation along with all your files.

Disk Utility

When Disk Utility is open:

  • Select the drive you want to install macOS on
  • Click the Erase button
  • Select the following Settings
  • Format: Mac OS Extended (Journaled) or APFS
  • Scheme: GUID Partition Map
  • Click the "Erase" button
Disk Utility

If the erase is successful then macOS can be installed on the previously selected drive.

Installing Clover

The most complete Hackintosh Bootloader. Boot OS X, Windows, and Linux on Mac or PC with UEFI or BIOS firmware.

Clover

Download the latest Clover package from the Getting Started section to begin.

From there you need to follow the steps on the installer but use the Customise option to correctly install for your System. Use the settings below,

UEFI Motherboard Settings

  • Install Clover for UEFI only
  • Install Clover in ESP
  • UEFIDrivers: AptioMemoryFix - PartitionDxe - ApfsLoader (only if you're using APFS), don't touch the pre-ticked options
  • Install RC Scripts on target volume

Legacy Motherboard Settings

  • Install Clover in ESP
  • Boot0ss
  • Clover EFI Sata
  • Bios Drivers, 64 bit: ApfsLoader (only if you're using APFS)
  • Install RC Scripts on target volume

Configuring Clover

Download the latest Clover Configurator app from the Getting Started section to begin.

Clover

Specific Settings

Each system requires different settings. Not that settings that work for someone may not work for you.

Once you've got Clover installed and Clover Configurator opened go ahead and click on the Mount EFI tab on the left of the app. Now find the drive you've got macOS on and click on Mount Partition then Open Partition.
Now open EFI > CLOVER and right click on config.plist and open with Clover Configurator.

Now your config is open. This is the file that tells Clover what to apply to your system when booting. All you need for now is in the Boot tab on the left. Check Verbose and npci=0x2000.
All other options referring to Graphics etc will be covered in the relevant sections.

Installing Kexts

Kext files are essentially drivers for macOS. "Kext" stands for Kernel Extension, kext files "extend" the macOS kernel, the core part of the operating system.
They allow hackintosh systems to run hardware that is normally unsupported on macOS. Typically Kexts are found in the System Extensions folder of the system but it's best to leave this folder untouched.

The most common and safest option is to "inject" the kexts into the prelinkedkernel using the bootloader.
To do this with Clover simply mount the EFI partition as described in the Configuring Clover section and add them to the Kexts/Other folder within the Clover files.
With that done you need to ensure Inject Kexts is enabled in the config using Clover Configurator.

Clover

Graphics

Integrated AMD GPUs are not supported in macOS in anyway.

Not all Graphics cards are natively supported in macOS. Some need a little help to get going.

Nvidia Graphics

  • 10 series cards require Sierra 10.12.4 or later & Nvidia Web Drives (GTX 1050-1080)
  • 9 Series cards require Nvidia Web Drives (GTX 950-980)
  • 7 Series cards require Nvidia Web Drives (GTX 750-780)
  • 6 Series cards work natively in macOS (GTX 650-680)

The simplest way to install nVidia drivers on macOS is to use a script from Benjamin Dobell.

Simply copy and paste this command into Terminal,

bash <(curl -s https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Benjamin-Dobell/nvidia-update/master/nvidia-update.sh)

From here mount your EFI partition and open the config with Clover Configurator and enable NvidiaWeb within the System Parameters section.

AMD Graphics

The majority of modern AMD GPUs work OOB in macOS due to Apple using them in the Mac lineup. Some however still need some tweaks to get going. See an extensive guide from AlGrey here.

Networking

Not all networking chips are compatible with macOS. See below the fix for your network setup.

Ethernet

Realtek LAN
In most cases what you need is RTL8111.kext. You can find the download below and this goes inside the Clover kext folder.

Download RTL8111.kext

Wireless

Native solutions are always the best in this case. Try to find a wireless chipset that's used in any Mac. For example I use an Atheros AR5B91 that was used in MacBooks with a PCI adapter.

Broadcom chips work well. See a guide by Toleda here.

USB

USB can work natively on Ryzen with a DSDT patch and Clover patch. All other systems need some extra kexts and or modifications to work.

Ryzen Systems

Ryzen only needs a DSDT patch and some Clover patches to use native USB kexts within macOS.

You can find out how here.

All Other Systems

WIP - Coming Soon

Audio

As with USB, Audio can work using native AppleHDA on Ryzen. All other systems require VoodooHDA.

Ryzen Systems

Ryzen has an advantage where it can make use of AppleHDA. A few tweaks are required though.

Find out how to apply the fix here.

All Other Systems

VoodooHDA is the hackintosh version of AppleHDA. This works on just about every codec available. Install the kext to the Clover kext folder

Download VoodooHDA Here

Tweaks

Some system tweaks maybe?

Disable Gatekeeper

Gatekeeper, first introduced in OS X Mountain Lion, is a Mac security feature which prevents the user from launching potentially harmful applications. In macOS Sierra, however, Apple made some important changes to Gatekeeper that seemingly limit the choices of power users. But don’t worry, Gatekeeper can still be disabled in Sierra and above. Here’s how, enter the following command into Terminal.

sudo spctl --master-disable

Credits

A special thanks to those who contributed to this FAQ and those who provided the information and tools required.

Shaneee - AlGrey - Notiflux - XLNC - Chad