[GUIDE] Lenovo ThinkPad L440 (20AS) - Catalina 10.15.4

[ludufre]

Installing macOS Catalina 10.15.4 on Lenovo ThinkPad L440

 

There are two version of this laptop:

- 20AS = Chipset QM87, without Express Card (mine).

- 20AT = Chipset HM86, with Express Card.

I strong believe is the same thing...

 

Changelog:

 

03/24/2020 20:30h GMT-0

- Added 10.15.3 update instructions.

 

01/30/2020 23:52h GMT-0

- Added 10.15.3 update instructions.

 

12/11/2019 04:24h GMT-0

- Added 10.15.2 update instructions.

- Replaced IntelMausiEthernet.kext with IntelMausi.kext.

 

11/08/2019 20:30h GMT-0

- Added instructions to swap Command with Option keys in VoodooPS2Controller.kext.

- Added additional FileVault 2 UEFI drivers be more practical.

 

10/30/2019 01:42h GMT-0

- Added 10.15.1 update instructions.

- Replaced AppleALC.kext with VoodooHDA.kext

- No more issues after sleep or misconfiguration with jack sense.

 

10/29/2019 18:18h GMT-0

- Replaced the config.plist with AppleIntelCPUPM = true.

 

10/27/2019 05:37h GMT-0

- Replaced the DW1560 wireless card with BCM94360CS2.

 

10/20/2019 20:47h GMT-0

- Removed AppleBacklightFixup.kext.

- WhateaverGreen now implements backlight since 1.2.5.

 

10/20/2019 18:10h GMT-0

- First version.

 

What works and what does not
 
- Processor: Intel Core i5-4300M ->  Work. All SpeedStep stages.
- Video Card: Intel HD4600 ->  Work. QE/CI and Metal.
- Chipset: Intel QM87 ->  Work.
- Mini DisplayPort ->  Work. But no audio, yet.

- VGA ->  Not work. Normal.

- Audio: ALC292 ->  Work.

- WiFi/Bluetooth: Intel AC 7260 ->  Not work. Replaced with DW1560 BCM94360CS2 (need whitelist removal).

- Ethernet: Intel I217-LM ->  Work.

- Card Reader: Realtek RTS5227 ->  Not work.

- Keyboard and Touchpad ->  Work.
- Webcam ->  Work.

- Fingerprint Reader ->  Not work. Normal.

- USB3.0 ->  Work.
- Sleep ->  Work.

- Airdrop, Handoff and Continuity ->  Work after replaced wireless.

- Instant Hotspot ->  Not work.

 

 

Extras
 
- FullHD 1920x1080 display upgrade: 

Replaced with AU Optronics B140HAN01.1 30pin eDP (B140HAN01.2 and B140HAN01.3 also compatible).

Apparently same screen as Dell Latitude E6440, E7440, Lenovo Ideapad U430 and E129.

 

- CPU upgrade:

Replaced the stock Intel Core i5 4300M 2.6Ghz (3.3Ghz turbo) 6M cache with Intel Core i7 4700MQ 2.4Ghz (3.4Ghz turbo) 6MB.

I initially had problems with overheating. The processor ran at full load above 90 degrees.

After using a quality thermal paste I can work between 70 and 80 degrees.

Acceptable taking into consideration that the new processor has 47TDP versus 37TDP which is recommended.

I also had no problem consuming the battery while charging. The original 65W source seems to have figured out.

 

- Touchpad upgrade:

Replaced the stock with T460 touchpad.

This is serious: you have to do it! It should be stock. Touchpad with precision and absurd quality!

Just do it!

 

- RAM upgrade:

16GB (2x8GB). No mistery here. Just upgade.

 

- Wireless upgrade:

Previously I have the DW1560 working almost perfectly, now replaced with BCM94360CS2 that is full native supported. 

More info below.

 

Todo

 

- Make DP audio work.

- Make Card Reader work.

- Make trackpad appear in System Preferences

- Make Instant Hotspot work.

 

 

What you need to install

- Running install of macOS
- One USB flash drive of 8GB or bigger
- macOS Catalina install app
- Clover EFI

- Clover Configurator

- Some KEXTs and SSDT patches


How create create the install flash drive
 
Prepare install flash drive

Format the flash drive with GUID partition mapping and name it "Install".

- Open Disk Utility.
- Click in View, then "Show All Devices".
- Select the destination flash drive, then Erase.
- Name: Install, Format: Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and Scheme: GUID Partition Map

 

Create install flash drive

Open terminal and run this command:

sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Catalina.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/Install --nointeraction

This will take about 30 minutes.

 

Install bootloader

Download the CloverEFI from official repository (used 5097) and install only with these options on "Install macOS Catalina":

 
- Install for UEFI booting only
- Install Clover in the ESP
- UEFI Drivers - Recommended Drivers - AudioDxe (Just to have nice sound on boot)
- UEFI Drivers - Recommended Drivers - FSInject (I still don't know if it's really necessary)

- UEFI Drivers - File System drivers - ApfsDriverLoader (Support to APFS partitions)

- UEFI Drivers - File System drivers - VBoxHfs (Support HFS/HFS+ partitions)

- UEFI Drivers - Memory fix drivers - AptioMemoryFix (Fix the memory management of de UEFI/BIOS)

 

FileVault 2

 

If you plan to use FileVault 2, you need to download additional drivers, since what comes with Clover is not up to date and use VirtualSMC instead of FakeSMC.

Follow instructions bellow:

 

From current Clover installation, check these options to USB keyboard/mouse work on password screen:

- UEFI Drivers - Human Interface Devices - UsbKbDxe

- UEFI Drivers - Human Interface Devices - UsbMouseDxe

 

After Clover install will be created a partition named EFI and mounted in Desktop. Usually the path is /Volumes/EFI/.

 

Download the versions 2.1.0 and 2.0.9 of AppleSupportPkg from: https://github.com/acidanthera/AppleSupportPkg/releases

We need the last version of AppleGenericInput.efi that is inside 2.1.0 and last version of AppleUiSupport.efi that is inside 2.0.9.

OR download attached bellow.

 

Put in /Volumes/EFI/EFI/CLOVER/drivers/UEFI/

 

That's it! FileVault 2 will work without problems.

 

 

 

 

Make things works

 

After Clover install will be created a partition named EFI and mounted in Desktop. Usually the path is /Volumes/EFI/.

 

- Replace the /Volumes/EFI/EFI/CLOVER/config.plist with mine attached below

- Put SSDT-L440.aml attached below in /Volumes/EFI/EFI/CLOVER/ACPI/patched/

 

Generate your Serial, MLB and SmUUID

 

- Open the replaced config.plist with Clover Configurator (used 5.6.2.0)

- Go to SMBIOS, click few times in "Generate New" in Serial Number and SmUUID.

 

Copy the Clover Configurator to flash drive because you will need later.

 

Download those Kexts and put in /EFI/CLOVER/kexts/Other/

 

- Download the VirtualSMC from here. I used all Kexts and UEFI driver (put VirutalSmc.efi inside /Volumes/EFI/EFI/drivers/UEFI/) from version 1.0.8 (If you followed the steps to enable FileVault 2 above, skip to the next item).

- Download the Lilu.kext from here. I used the version 1.3.8.

- Download the VoodooPS2Controller.kext from here. I used version 2.0.4.

- Download the IntelMausi.kext from here. I used the version 1.0.2.

- Download the VoodooHDA.kext from here. I used the version 2.9.2. (Need to turn up the volume on Info.plist, more instructions below)

- Download the WhateverGreen.kext from here. I used the version 1.3.3.

- Download the USBInjectAll.kext from here. I used the version 2018-1108.

 

Important! If you are coming from my previous Mojave guide, please note that I am using some kexts from other repositories / authors.

 

 

Audio volume adjustment

 

- Open the Info.plist inside VoodooHDA.kext/Contents/ with TextEdit.app or any text editor of your choice.

- Change:

<key>PCM</key>
<integer>90</integer>

to:

<key>PCM</key>
<integer>140</integer>

Or, download the versions 2.9.2 attached bellow.

 

 

Keyboard swap Command with Option (optional)

 

- If you prefer, you can swap Command and Option keys, to map Win Key - Command and Alt - Option.

- Change /Volumes/EFI/EFI/CLOVER/OEM/S400CA/UEFI/kexts/10.15/VoodooPS2Controller.kext/Contents/PlugIns/VoodooPS2Keyboard.kext/Contents/Info.plist:

<key>Swap command and option</key>
<true/>

to:

<key>Swap command and option</key>
<false/>

Or, download the version 2.0.4 already adjusted attached bellow.

 

 

Wifi and Bluetooth (BCM94360CS2 + M2 NGFF adapter)

 

Recently I replaced the DW1560 with BCM94360CS2. Now I have fully wireless and bluetooth working (including Instant Hotspot) without any kexts.

 

See: 

 

 

Wifi and Bluetooth (DW1560 / BCM94352Z)

 

Unfortunately, some notebook manufacturers are currently blocking the replacement of wireless cards. They want you to only use the models sold by them. And of course, none of them from Lenovo for this notebook model is compatible with MacOS.

 

If you try to start with an unauthorized wifi card for them, you will receive a screen error:

1802: Unauthorized network card is plugged in - Power off and remove the network card.

Since this check is done directly in the BIOS, the only solution is to modify it.

But since nothing is easy in this life, there is one small big problem:

- The BIOS update procedure does not allow you to use modded files as it used to be.

- You will need to physically reach your BIOS on the motherboard and make use of a USB BIOS reader/writer.

 

So what you need to do:

1. Disassembly your laptop;
2. Dump your BIOS with an USB BIOS reader with SOIC8 clip (to not desolder from the motherboard);
3. Patch it (Ask on UEFI hack forums over there to someone patch for you. Every dump is unique, so mine don't work to you.);
4. Fix RSA signature;
5. Reflash BIOS;

6. Replace wireless card;

7. Remount your laptop;
8. Done.

 

To fix a Modded BIOS to remove the 5 beeps on boot, you need this guide: https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/337333-guide-fix-insyde-h2o-bios-signature-5-beeps-on-lenovo (traduzido: pt-BR)

 

 

After replaced the wireless card. Download those Kexts and put in /Volumes/EFI/EFI/CLOVER/kexts/10.15/

 

- Download the AirportBrcmFixup.kext from here. I used the version 2.0.3. (To enable Wireless)

- Download the BrcmBluetoothInjector.kext, BrcmFirmwareRepo.kext and BrcmPatchRAM3.kext from here. I used the version 2019-10-17. (To enable Bluetooth)

- Download the BT4LEContinuityFixup.kext from here. I used the version 1.1.4. (To enable Handoff and Continuity)

 

Keep in mind that the bluetooth kexts are currently in development and the official releases will be available in future in the repository: https://github.com/acidanthera/BrcmPatchRAM/releases

 

 

Now you can start the installation without problem (I guess).

 

 

How install

 

UEFI Setup Configuration and Installation

UEFI configuration
 

My BIOS is the latest: 1.93 (J4ET93WW) 

- Shutdown and insert the flash drive.
- Power on with F1 pressed to enter BIOS setup.
- Change value: Config - Intel(R) AMT - Intel(R) AMT Control to DISABLED

- Change value: Security - Security Chip to DISABLED

- Change value: Security - Anti-Theft - Intel(R) AT Module Activation to DISABLED

- Change value: Security - Anti-Theft - Computrace to DISABLED

- Change value: Security - Secure Boot to DISABLED

- Change value: Startup - UEFI/Legacy Boot to BOTH, Legacy First and CSM Support = Yes

- Save & Exit Setup (F10)

 

- Now, hold the F12

- In the list, select your flash drive.

- Choose the flash drive (white icon).

 

The installer will start. 


Format destination disk

Format the disk with GUID partition mapping and name it "Macintosh".

- Select Disk Utility in the list, then press Continue.
- Click in View, then "Show All Devices".
- Select the destination Disk, then Erase.
- Name: HD, Format: APFS and Scheme: GUID Partition Map

Close Disk Utility.

Select "Install macOS", then Continue.
Follow instructions in screen.

After install
 

After first part install the system will reboot. Maybe you have to press F12 again and select the flash drive.
 

Choose the internal disk (gray hdd icon) if not already selected.

The second part of the installation will begin. This will take 16 minutes.

 

Post installation
 
When the second part of install finish, the system will reboot again.

After performing the user initial setup and go to the desktop, you need to make the system disk bootable.

Open the Clover Configurator from flash drive that you copied before.

Mount and open the flash drive EFI partition. (Inside Clover Configurator, Mount EFI -> Select flash drive in Efi Partitions list -> Mount Partition -> Open Partition)

 

Copy the EFI folder to desktop.

 

Go back to Clover Configurator, unmount the EFI partition of the flash drive and mount and open the EFI partition of internal disk.

 

Move the EFI folder from Desktop to EFI partition of the internal disk.

 

Eject the flash drive.

 

Move all Kexts from EFI partition of internal disk to /Library/Extensions and make kext cache, with those commands in Terminal:

sudo mv -R /Volumes/EFI/EFI/CLOVER/kexts/10.15/* /Library/Extensions/
sudo chmod -R 755 /Library/Extensions
sudo chown -R root:wheel /Library/Extensions
sudo kextcache -i /

Restart the system.

 

 

It's done!

 

 

System Updates

 

10.15.1

 

Updated without changing or updating anything.

 

 

 

10.15.2

 

Before install, update the following kexts:

- VirtualSMC.kext and all kexts and VirtualSmc.efi. I used version 1.0.9.

- Lilu.kext. I used version 1.4.0.

- WhateverGreen.kext. I used version 1.3.5.

- AppleALC.kext. I used version 1.4.4.

- VoodooPS2Controller.kext. I used version 2.1.0.

(all download links above)

 

Download the latest CLOVERX64.efi.zip build. I used version 5100.

Mount EFI partition and unzip to:

- /Volumes/EFI/EFI/CLOVER/CLOVERX64.efi

- /Volumes/EFI/EFI/BOOT/BOOTX64.efi (rename the copy of CLOVERX64.efi to BOOTX64.efi

 

Install update. Will reboot at least four time.

 

 

10.15.3

 

Updated with success without changing anything.

 

 

10.15.4

Before install, update the following kexts:

- Lilu.kext. I used version 1.4.2.

- WhateverGreen.kext. I used version 1.3.7.

- VirtualSMC.kext. I used version 1.3.7.

- VoodooP2Controller.kext. I used versions 2.1.2.

(all download links above)

 

Download the latest CLOVER installer. I used version 5107.

- Install respecting the configuration mentioned above in "Install bootloader" section.

 

Install update. Will reboot at least four time.

 

 

 

And last but not least

I would like to thank the following community members, by making these dream possible:
@crushers, @snatch, @apianti, @blackosx, @blusseau, @dmazar, @slice2009, @autumnrain, @phpdev32, @EMlyDinEsH, @RehabMan, @Scellow, @mitch_de, @Shailua, @Andy Vandijck, @maxfierke, @ArturXXX, @LexHimself, @brumas, @"Sniki", @Mieze, @headkaze and all others members involved directly or indirectly.

 

 

Attachments

 

 

SSDT-L440.aml

config.plist

VoodooHDA.kext.zip

VoodooPS2Controller.kext.zip

Filevault 2 additional drivers.zip

Edited March 24, 2020 by ludufre

[ludufre]

3 minutes ago, Hervé said:

Did you try Sinetek's kext for your RTS5227 card reader?

Sinetek-rtsx.kext.zip

 

Yeah. But break sleeps and have random KPs

 

 

[Sergo_51]

Lenovo B5070+BCM94352Z

 

[Sergo_51]

bluetooth NO

KernelPm=NO ???

Edited October 21, 2019 by Sergo_51

[ludufre]

Hi @Sergo_51, I really didn't understood you. Are you having problems with Bluetooth, is that it? You can use the BrcmPatch3 kexts like in my guide above:

 

On 10/20/2019 at 4:29 PM, ludufre said:

- Download the BrcmBluetoothInjector.kext, BrcmFirmwareRepo.kext and BrcmPatchRAM3.kext from here. I used the version 2019-10-17. (To enable Bluetooth)

 

[Sergo_51]

I did everything according to the instructions, maybe I missed it.

[Sergo_51]

At 14.6 it does not work stably where to find a glitch or my pens.

[Sergo_51]

Overloaded and then it worked ???
thank

[ludufre]

Now using BCM94360CS2

 

 

[Helda]

Hi @ludufre

 

I cannot reach installer with your guide. Mojave guide works perfectly. I don't have modded bios. 

 

Error: 

AMF: Only 255/256 slide values are usable!
Valid slides: 1-255
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Any sugestion? 

[ludufre]

Hi @Helda, my mistake!

 

My bios have MSR unlocked so I don't need the flag AppleIntelCPUPM = true, but a non-modded BIOS need this enabled.

 

I updated the config.plist in the guide. Change the flag with Clover Configurator or download the config.plist again.

 

[ludufre]

 

10/30/2019 01:42h GMT-0

- Added 10.15.1 update instructions.

- Replaced AppleALC.kext with VoodooHDA.kext

- No more issues after sleep or misconfiguration with jack sense.

[Helda]

Hi @ludufre

 

I hadn't time to try it. 

 

Now i try your fix with AppleIntelCPUPM = true. Still same error. Any another sugestion?

 

Thanks for your relply

[ludufre]

@Helda, I compared the config.plist of the two tabs and they are basically the same. 

 

Send me your EFI folder, please.

[ludufre]

12/11/2019 04:24h GMT-0

- Added 10.15.2 update instructions.

- Replaced IntelMausiEthernet.kext with IntelMausi.kext.

[amorshel]

On 12/11/2019 at 5:31 AM, ludufre said:

12/11/2019 04:24h GMT-0

- Added 10.15.2 update instructions.

- Replaced IntelMausiEthernet.kext with IntelMausi.kext.

Thanks for the guide! Successfully installed on my Lenovo L440.

However, there are a couple of questions:
1. How to connect a 4k monitor? When I connect the same monitor to this laptop on Windows or Linux, the resolution is 3840x2160 (60 hz), and here it is only 2560x 1600 (60hz)
2. The touchpad does not work at all. How to turn it on?

Thanks!

Edited yesterday at 12:54 AM by amorshel

[hmaca]

On 10/30/2019 at 2:06 AM, Helda said:

AMF: Only 255/256 slide values are usable! Valid slides: 1-255

 

Hello, how do you solve it?

[ludufre]

2 minutes ago, hmaca said:

 

Hello, how do you solve it?

 

 

[ludufre]

1 hour ago, hmaca said:

我已经重新下载了，但是仍然有问题。我正在使用clover5103。这是我的efi软件包。你能帮我看看问题吗？

 

 

English, please. Send me your EFI folder.

[ludufre]

10.15.3

 

Updated with success without changing anything.

[jxhs]

Hi, can you share your EFI with me? thank you

[ludufre]

03/24/2020 20:30h GMT-0

- Added 10.15.3 update instructions.

[CyCLoBoT]

@ludufre, have you gotten OpenCore to work with L440? I'm wondering if it will be possible to run Big Sur on this laptop.