USB Wireless Adapters for Big Sur, Monterey, Ventura and Sonoma

[kenwsf]

Q1: no, for installation only.
Q2: yes, after installation, sip enabled and wifi working.

@dgs57
I succeeded got the T3U wifi works in Monterey when the SIP is disable.
But when I enable back the SIP, the USB wifi adapter won't work, also no wifi list available.

How did you make it work if the SIP enable?

 

[kenwsf]

Hello,

May be you can check some things :

View attachment 570482

The version I used is (v16) :
View attachment 570483

Re-read the instructions here :

GitHub - chris1111/Wireless-USB-Big-Sur-Adapter: Drivers for Realtek 802.11n and 802.11ac USB Wi-Fi adapters. Packages for macOS

Drivers for Realtek 802.11n and 802.11ac USB Wi-Fi adapters. Packages for macOS - GitHub - chris1111/Wireless-USB-Big-Sur-Adapter: Drivers for Realtek 802.11n and 802.11ac USB Wi-Fi adapters. Pack...

github.com

Hope this help!

Cheers.

I used V17 in Monterey.
Disable SIP WiFi works good.
Enable SIP the USB adapter looks not detected.

So I don’t think that the version 16 or 17 will make different.

I am sorry that i am new to use usb WiFi adapter. Can you pls direct tell me what I missed or did wrong ?
I’ve tried many times still no luck.

 

[kenwsf]

Hello,

1) In post #29 above I outlined the steps to follow in the process of installing Realtek USB-WiFi adapter.
Did you follow them as described ? Any issues in the process ?

2) Check the status as shown in post #44 ( with and without SIP activated ).

3) In System Preferences > Network check the status of the adapter(s) (with and without SIP activated).

View attachment 570488

4) Use a different USB port ( check the status with Hackintool )

5) Check once again the original documentation.

6) Wait until a user can confirm that the V17 driver works well with OS Monterey.

7) If you can not wait, try install V16.

8) If you have a spare drive ( an old HDD/SSD ) :
- remove the original drive
- setup a lab and do whatever experiment you like.

Do not forget to check/validate your config.plist.

Do not forget to reset Nvram after making changes.

Cheers!

I don’t get your info, sorry for that 1st.
Mine is T3U. The V17 is works for Monterey.
I succeeded install the USB adapter and WiFi is working great.
But it only works with SIP disable status.

I want the usb WiFi adapter works best with SIP enable status.

If I enable the SIP, the USB WiFi adapter is not working.
And I can’t do clean nvram too. Once I click the clean nvram, the USB adapter need to install again.

And there are not any kext installed in OC folder too.

Am I doing wrong or your usb WiFi adapter is not same as mine?
Or we make some misunderstanding?

 

[kenwsf]

Hello,

Next, I will comment on some of the topics you touched on:

On page 3 of this thread, there is my post detailing the steps to follow for installing chris1111's drivers.
This post is numbered by the system. Look in the upper right corner. It should be #29 ( August 4th)
Here is a link to it:

USB Wireless Adapters for Big Sur, Monterey and Ventura

Cham I don't know what it is. Probably a typo. Should be charm instead of cham.

www.tonymacx86.com

So you have Archer T3U Plus, no doubt here, you know exactly what you 've bought.
My adapter is Edimax EW-7811Un (N150).
Both have something in common : a Realtek chip (RTL8812)
And both adapters are listed here : https://github.com/chris1111/Wireless-USB-Big-Sur-Adapter

Known Working and testing adapter

• Archer T3U Plus
• EDIMAX EW-7811Un (N150)

being supported by the same drivers ( there are two kexts in the .zip archieve ).
For installation on a Monterey system I used the older version (V16) of this .zip archieve.
Not testing/using the latest version (V17), I can not say anything about it.

You know better/best what/how you have done.
But make a note (pencil & paper ) of this process. It could help later.

Many utilities/applications/drivers work well if SIP is disabled.
Some times, even before toggling SIP, a setting in config.plist may require a temporary Disable status.
After installing, the setting should be reverted to Default.

Misc > Security > SecureBootModel String Default

to

Misc > Security > SecureBootModel String Disable


Yes, it is desirable to have SIP enabled.

SIP should be enabled/disabled when booting the system in recovery mode, using Terminal application.
In post #44, I captured the results of some simple commands in a terminal window : csrutil, spctl, kextstat.
You should verify what results you get after running them in both cases ( SIP enabled/disabled )

Well ... it seems you can "clean" Nvram. But, the USB adapter disappears being volatile.
I feel something is wrong with this behaviour.
By the way, for resetting the Nvram I use :

EFI > OC > Drivers > ResetNvramentry.efi

and enabled it in config.plist :

UEFI > Drivers

Check if you use this approach or another one, e.g :

EFI > OC > Tools > CleanNvram.efi

and enable it in config.plist :

Misc > Tools

Just for testing , one may activate both those components and watch the results. Later, keep one of them.

This could be the biggest surprise : not having any kexts regarding USB WiFi drivers in OC folder.
If you do not have them, then your installation process went wrong ( verify your hand-written note(s) ).

In /EFI/OC/Kexts folder you should find two kexts :

RtWlanU.kext
RtWlanU1827.kext

These kexts shoud be automatically activated in config.plist in :

Kernel > Add

1) My adapter is not the same as yours ( Edimax vs TP-Link, both having the Realtek chip, hence the same drivers).
2) Most likely, the installation process ( actual actions, not the blue print ) has some inadvertence.
Or, may be your your installed mac OS/OpenCore have some more restrictive settings preventing a clean installation of the USB WiFi drivers.

Misunderstanding can occur anywhere and anytime.
That's why I tried to give you some sugesstions/hints/answers and make the troubleshooting process more manageable.

When (almost) everything fails, start it over again in a lab environment and document every single step.

Good luck !

I am gonna test it again with your latest guide-line.
For disable and enable SIP is not a problem.
For installation the driver is fine.

By the way:
RtWlanU.kext
RtWlanU1827.kext
for the above 2 kexts will automatically installed by itself and updated the config.plist by itself?

OR I have to do it manually to put the 2 kexts into OC/kexts folder and update the config.plist by myself?

Moreover, for the Misc > Security > SecureBootModel String Default.
My system security is always set as default as normal, nothing change!
Is it MUST set as String Disable ?

 

[kenwsf]

Hello again

Before doing anything else ( regarding re-installation ), check the status of your system and put the results down on a paper. Ask yourself : What is the SIP status ? What version of drivers will I install ? What drivers/kexts are (already) present in EFI/OC folders ? What is the state of config.plist ? May be you have some other questions ..

I agree, disabling/enabling SIP should not be a problem. But after doing it, you should check that the status is as intended.

So you downloaded the a zipped archieve (V17). After un-archieving, you'll get a folder with the application to be run.
It is this application that will install the two drivers (in EFI/OC/Kexts), will automatically configure config.plist and will also add some stuff in other folders.
So, there is no manual intervention in the process.
Do not rush while installing. Keep reading , make a note, take a photo, look for messages ( warnings, errors, etc).
Do what the system asks you to do. You shoud have a successful installation.

These two kexts will automatically be installed ( copied ) in the right place.
The config.plist will be also automatically configured to enable the two kexts.
Do not manually change anything now.
Check your EFI folder and confirm that your stuff is in place.
If it isn't, then something wrong happened and you should spot it out.

Keep SecureBootModel to Default.

The main point here is :
a) check the current status
b) change things
c) check the new current status

Repeat these steps until your task is done.

As changes will be made to EFI's stuff, you should clean/reset the Nvram.

Does this help ?

Cheers.

Follow your latest guide-line works.
I used V17 for Ventura.
Everything fine even do clean NVRAM. The wifi bar is active.

But the 2 kexts won't automatically install into EFI/Kext.
Need to do it manually.

Don't know why?

 

[kenwsf]

Hello,

In a previous post, I asked you to make a note/photo of how/where these drivers are to be installed ( in fact, the whole process should be documented ) :

"Do not rush while installing. Keep reading , make a note, take a photo, look for messages ( warnings, errors, etc)."

Also, I mentioned that my installation used V16 (post #48):

"For installation on a Monterey system I used the older version (V16) of this .zip archieve.
Not testing/using the latest version (V17), I can not say anything about it."

I will also mention here your assumption ( see post #45) :

"So I don’t think that the version 16 or 17 will make different."

===================================

So, I wanted to see if there is something different/special about V17.
Look at the captures below ( taken while starting the process ) :

1) Start V16 installation ( first screen )

View attachment 570508

Read carefully :
"This program will install RtWlanU1827.kext, RtWlanU.kext, in /ESP/EFI/OC"

2) Start V17 installation ( first screen ) :

View attachment 570509

Read carefully :
"This program will install RtWlanU1827.kext, RtWlanU.kext, in /Library/Extensions"

I did not go any further with the installation process ( right now I do not want to remove V16 and to install V17 ).

=======

If your final task ( having a reliable USB WiFi system ) is not achieved using V17, then you may want to uninstall it.

After that, going with V16 will bring you peace of mind.

==========

With the rising of Sonoma and "missing native support" for Broadcom WiFi, the "USB WiFi with Realtek" could be
the "easiest/fastest/reliable/cheapest/whatever" path to go forward ( do not know how far, as Intel hardware support will come to an end ).

Of course, alternatives exist.

Bottom line :
1) If V17 does not serve you well, then remove/uninstall it, otherwise keep it, use it.
2) If V17 is to be removed, then :
- install V16
- use it & enjoy as long as it fits.

Cheers.

Hi, Yes. I did read it before install.
Those kexts will installed in the system L/E, not automatically in EFI.
So, I have to manually do it.

But The V16 and V17 nothing different.
You could go ahead update for Monterey and Ventura macOS.
I have tried these 2 macOS without any issue.

I have to say thanks for your info and guide, appreciated.

And I have something need to ask for your opinion.
But this blog keep remove my asking Q, weird.

 

[kenwsf]

Hello,

If the kexts from V16 and V17 are (almost) the same, I think going V16 is better : you do not have to
move the kexts around and you do not have to touch config.plist.

You are welcome.

I remember answering you to another question regarding the storage to be replaced.
Please go here :

Install macOS with WD_Black SN750 NVMe !

Dear all Users Hi, I am currently using SSD for my macOS build and boot. I wish to upgrade to use Western Digital WD_BLACK 500GB SN750 NVMe - as this listed in the buying guide. Due to the SN750 NVMe read speed and download speed is very faster than normal SSD. And my motherboard is able to...

www.tonymacx86.com

Cheers.

You're right.
For V17, need to add the kexts and update config.plist manually.
I never tried V16, but it's good if it will auto install those kexts and update itself.
Anyway, both versions are working fine.

Once again. Thanks a lot.

Yeah, you did provided suggestion about the storage/drive.
And I decided to go ahead SN_770 for upgrade my Ventura macOS.
But any idea for BT?
Like U-S-B BT?

Still looking a best solutions for BT.

 

[kenwsf]

Hello,


When Sonoma will pop up I'll setup a lab environment and I will test V17 or whatever will be available then.

WD SN770 seems to be a very good choice. The 1 TB version is not expensive at all.

During the last years I tested :

a) Fenvi PCIe Network Card FV-HB1200 :

FV-HB1200 - Fenvi Technology

Windows/Mac OS

fenvi.com

​

Right now it works well in a Ventura Hack, both WiFi and BT 4.0.
It is said that this card's WiFi, will not work out of the box in OS Sonoma.
Let's see if BT 4.0 will work well in Sonoma.

b) ASUS BT-400 USB dongle in macOS Catalina / Big Sur ( for a short time ) which works OOB.

Now Catalina is almost outdated. Its latest update is :

View attachment 570605

Soon, Big Sur is going to follow Catalina.

As such, ASUS BT-400 will be withdrawn from "service" (can not be used OOB in Monterey).

You should find some threads here that discuss WiFi and/or BT in Sonoma and beyond.

Cheers.

Hi, great.
Await for your good news and testing result the V17 for Sonoma.
FV-HB1200 works great for Ventura? Serious?
Is the wifi card stable all day long?
Not disconnect itself and reconnecting itself?
Is the wifi signal strong too? (*As the router a little far.)
Is the download speed at top?

I had bad luck with I got FV-T919, terrible wifi PCIe Card.
Not suggest to use it and even expensive than HB1200.

Ya. Big Sur is going out-dated, but it's still the most stable macOS now.
Next will the Monterey.

Bro, nice to chat with you and sharing experience.

Anyone who's want to know more about Hackintosh parts, let's come and discuss.
I will love to help.

 

[scottkendall]

Hi, great.
Await for your good news and testing result the V17 for Sonoma.
FV-HB1200 works great for Ventura? Serious?
Is the wifi card stable all day long?
Not disconnect itself and reconnecting itself?
Is the wifi signal strong too? (*As the router a little far.)
Is the download speed at top?

I had bad luck with I got FV-T919, terrible wifi PCIe Card.
Not suggest to use it and even expensive than HB1200.

Ya. Big Sur is going out-dated, but it's still the most stable macOS now.
Next will the Monterey.

Bro, nice to chat with you and sharing experience.

Anyone who's want to know more about Hackintosh parts, let's come and discuss.
I will love to help.

My Experience with the HB1200 was great till it wasn't when I upgraded to Sonoma and it stopped working "I knew it was going to happen" So I rolled the system back to Ventura and gave the Hack to my wife and put the 2018 Mac mini back in service to work alongside my Mac Book Pro. I do notice that Universal control works a billion times better with two real Macs, with the hack sometimes the MacBook could not find it and the iPad also would get lost... Now all three share one keyboard and mouse without a hitch.. Maybe this was due to the wifi card.

 

[kenwsf]

My Experience with the HB1200 was great till it wasn't when I upgraded to Sonoma and it stopped working "I knew it was going to happen" So I rolled the system back to Ventura and gave the Hack to my wife and put the 2018 Mac mini back in service to work alongside my Mac Book Pro. I do notice that Universal control works a billion times better with two real Macs, with the hack sometimes the MacBook could not find it and the iPad also would get lost... Now all three share one keyboard and mouse without a hitch.. Maybe this was due to the wifi card.

@scottkendall
Thanks for sharing your experience about the Fenvi HB1200.
Is your HB1200 chipset is " BCM94360CS " and the model pls refer to the attachment.

Is your wifi signal strong and network stable all day long?
Is 5GHz able to use?