[Guide] Intel NUC7/NUC8 using Clover UEFI (NUC7i7Bxx,NUC8i7Bxx,etc)

[iSalalah]

To new users trying to load Mojave or Catalina on an NUC8x please be aware this guide is no longer being maintained.
With recent bios updates being pushed out by Intel above version 56 as well as updates by Apple to Mojave beyond 14.2 the guide has become outdated and no longer works as is.

Two additional things are needed at a minimum to be able to reach the Mojave or Catalina install window. If you are trying to install Big Sur please do not attempt to use Clover, instead use OpenCore 6.3 or above.

1. At minimum an updated version of the Clover bootloader must be installed, I suggest version 5107 or higher, although slightly older versions will probably work but have not been tested. Rehabman’s version available through the terminal commands in his original guide on Github will cause the installer to halt. Instead of using Clover I highly recommend using a version of one of the OpenCore bootloader EFI folders attached. I haven’t updated the Clover version in about a year and have no plans to do so.

2. An updated config.plist containing an ACPI/DSDT/Patch for an RTC issue that will also cause the installer to stall if your bios is a version higher than 56

***Some users are also apparently unaware that their Samsung 970 EVO plus SSD will also cause install failure if the firmware is not updated first. Visit the Samsung Website for instructions on how to create a bootable USB drive for firmware updates.

The attached EFI folder has all of the above as well as some fixes for onboard Audio and USB C functionality and Bluetooth.

If you decide to use it it’s as simple as creating a bootable USB drive using UniBeast, mounting the invisible EFI partition on the USB drive and then replacing the EFI folder with the attached.

Once OSX install is complete repeat the process of mounting the EFI folder on your hard drive and again replace the EFI folder with the same attached folder to finish the job. Afterwards I highly suggest you use Clover Configurator to create a unique serial number for working iCloud and iMessage (although “continuity” is not an issue unless you have gone the route of adding a Wireless/ Bluetooth card in the one available M2 slot with the appropriate adapter mentioned in various NUC posts).
Being you are creating a Hackintosh be aware even if you have the exact same model there can be issues. I do not have all the answers and am not at the level of the moderators but will try to help you sort out whatever. Cheers and good luck.

Edit: If you are installing Mojave and have issues with crackling sound from the headphone jack several users have reported success installing all kexts, with the exception of FakeSMC.kext, to the Library/Extensions folder. Audio over HDMI and the headphone jack both should work. This will not work in Catalina or Bog Sur but you can change the Layout ID using Hackintool as described here by JayMonkey
an-idiots-guide-to-lilu-and-its-plug-ins.260063


EFI History

6/18/20 Added Updated NUC10i7 OC5.9 New and Improved
8/5/20 Added NUC8 OC6.0
8/29/20 Added NUC10i7 OC6.0
9/22/20 Added NUC10i7 OC6.1
9/25/20 Update NUC8OC6.0 to include USBC Fix, No Internal Headers Enabled
9/26/20 Added NUC8OC6.1 same as above
10/8/20 Added NUC8OC6.2 same as above
11/7/20 Added NUC8i7OC6.3 Big Sur Release 1 Ready
12/7/20 Added NUC8i7OC6.4 Also Big Sur Ready
1/7/21 Added NUC8i&OC6.5 Also Big Sur Ready
2/4/21 Added NUC8i7OC6.6 Also Big Sur Ready
3/7/21 Added NUC8i7OC6.7 Also Big Sur Ready
4/5/21 Added NUC8i7OC6.8.EFI
5/7/21 Added NUC8i7OC6.9 EFI
6/9/21 Added NUCi7OC7.0 EFI
7/10/21 Added NUCi7OC7.1 EFI

Thanks for your help thanks

 

[iSalalah]

Here We Go

Thanks BOSS!

 

[mexuron]

Hi, at first I want to thank the community and esp. Leesureone for the great support!
I have three smaller questions I havent found an answer:

1. Are the newer page-90 EFIs also suitable for the NUC8 even when the filename states "NUCi7OC7.1 EFI"?
2. I tried them and noticed no problem so far. But OpenCoreConfigurator gives me a error saying I have an old bootloader. Verified this via terminal:

nvram 4D1FDA02-38C7-4A6A-9CC6-4BCCA8B30102pencore-version

4D1FDA02-38C7-4A6A-9CC6-4BCCA8B30102pencore-version REL-064-2020-12-07

Is this indended on the newer EFIs provided on page-90 or did I make an error?
3. Installed a eGPU (RX 580 in Razer Core X). Works flawless so far besides I dont get the hotplug icon but another icon looking like a microwave which is not clickable.

Many thanks in advance for any answers!

 

[Leesureone]

Hi, at first I want to thank the community and esp. Leesureone for the great support!
I have three smaller questions I havent found an answer:

1. Are the newer page-90 EFIs also suitable for the NUC8 even when the filename states "NUCi7OC7.1 EFI"?
2. I tried them and noticed no problem so far. But OpenCoreConfigurator gives me a error saying I have an old bootloader. Verified this via terminal:

Is this indended on the newer EFIs provided on page-90 or did I make an error?
3. Installed a eGPU (RX 580 in Razer Core X). Works flawless so far besides I dont get the hotplug icon but another icon looking like a microwave which is not clickable.

Many thanks in advance for any answers!

1. Error naming them on my part, left out the 8. That’s fixed now and yes those are the latest I’ve uploaded.
2. OpenCore 7.2 is available for download so maybe that’s what that is about, if not did you reset the NVRAM at boot? That should clear memory and show the current version of OpenCore in your EFI folder.
3. I’m not sure what your question is but I don’t have an eGPU and so don’t have much input for you there.

 

[mexuron]

Hi,

thanks for clarifying... resetting nvram was also a valuable hint.

For 3. I meant this icon here:

opposed to what apple is showing here:

Einen externen Grafikprozessor mit einem Mac verwenden - Apple Support (DE)

Hier erfährst du, wie du in den Genuss zusätzlicher Grafikleistung kommst, indem du einen externen Grafikprozessor anschließt.

support.apple.com

As hotplug is not needed in my case I am totally fine with the current setup.
Tried the eGPU on a couple of steam games and it worked perfectly.

 

[Leesureone]

Hi,

thanks for clarifying... resetting nvram was also a valuable hint.

For 3. I meant this icon here:
View attachment 526129

opposed to what apple is showing here:

Einen externen Grafikprozessor mit einem Mac verwenden - Apple Support (DE)

Hier erfährst du, wie du in den Genuss zusätzlicher Grafikleistung kommst, indem du einen externen Grafikprozessor anschließt.

support.apple.com

As hotplug is not needed in my case I am totally fine with the current setup.
Tried the eGPU on a couple of steam games and it worked perfectly.

Gotcha, that icon is for the media card reader….

 

[markfultonncl]

Heads up, AirportItlwm.kext 1.3.0 has been released. I did a comparison with 1.2.0 and see significant speed increases.

Before: 55mbps/10.2 up
After: 219.22 mbps/10.72 up

Booted under Windows and/or using ethernet on macOS, I get 235 down and the same up, so very close.

The main difference is that AirportItlwm is still limited to wireless N mode (300Mbps max) and the Windows driver supports AC (780/866 Mbps rx/tx were the numbers reported in Windows).

No changes/improvements with airdrop / connecting to hotspots.

Edit: add url: https://github.com/OpenIntelWireless/itlwm/releases/tag/v1.3.0

Great news, AirportItlwm.kext 2.0.0 is now out with full AC (and Monterey) support!

Release v2.0.0 stable · OpenIntelWireless/itlwm

This version brings performance to the next level: iwm/iwx: Add support for 802.11AC iwm/iwx: Add support for VHT160 (160MHz) Add support for LDPC and STBC Improve RA rate scaling algorithm to sup...

github.com

PHY Mode is now reported as 802.11ac on my wifi connection with a Tx rate of 867 Mbps, bringing this on-par with the Windows Intel wifi driver.

My WAN connection isn't fast enough to test past 230 Mbps so I haven't done any real world throughput benchmarking.

AirDrop, connect to personal hotspot and unlock with Apple Watch support are still not working, so issues with continuity features remain. Hopefully the devs will prioritize those for the next release given AC mode now works.

 

[BrightEyes]

Anyone have success in getting the built-in ethernet port to work reliably on the NUC8?

Mine "works" in that I get a link, and I can typically reach 1 website before it just slows to uselessness. Once it does that, I can't even reach the NAS on my home network

Any suggestions?

 

[Leesureone]

Anyone have success in getting the built-in ethernet port to work reliably on the NUC8?

Mine "works" in that I get a link, and I can typically reach 1 website before it just slows to uselessness. Once it does that, I can't even reach the NAS on my home network

Any suggestions?

Yes, you can find prebuilt EFI folders on page 90 of this thread. Just add serial numbers

 

[BrightEyes]

Yes, you can find prebuilt EFI folders on page 90 of this thread. Just add serial numbers

Thanks Leesureone - I'm using your NUCi7OC71 on my NUC8i5BEH and it works great so far!

I was previously using OC 6.1 and Catalina, so yesterday was upgrade day

I'd been using an Archer USB wifi before, but the AirportItlwm works quite well now (which is what I'm using to type this). But I have gigabit ethernet in my room...but it doesn't work well in macOS..if I dual boot into Windows, it works fine