Replies: 13 comments 29 replies
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Thank you for this guide! I was able to install it without errors. Two useful tips:
Aside from that, if anyone knows how to fix the screen staying black when opening back the lid, or how to make sure the computer doesn't run ridiculously hot when idling, please let me know. I've tried everything on the t2linux.org wiki at this point. I'm on a Late 2019 Intel MacBook Pro 16. |
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Thanks a lot for the feedback and tips. As I erased the whole disk, I could follow the initial getting started and pick systemd-boot without any problems. But definitely, if there's an update or a link to the video, please paste it here, and I'll update the initial post. For the keyboard, I didn't face that issue so far, let me see the config file, but I'm sure you're correct about it, just I didn't change it. The black screen might be related to the power profile. Can you switch the power profile to performance and test the behavior. When I have the black screen, I tend to press the space bar and the screen comes up again. Finally, cannot really help with the temperature except for asking if you installed t2fanrd and tweaking the fan profile depending on the temperature. Next phase is, as @dhh suggested, to create a script that would do the extra T2 steps is running on a MacBook. And, of course, the ISO solution will be the best as no more extra keyboard or network dongle would be needed. But that is for a further future 😅 |
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Hi there, First, a huge thank you for this excellent guide. After a full day of tinkering, your instructions were exactly what I needed to get Arch and Omarchy running successfully. System Details: Model: MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports) Result: The installation was successful following your guide. Minor Issue Encountered: Workaround: Additional Context for Others: Thanks again for the fantastic work! |
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Just want to know more about the performance. I have this exact model. How is it? Does it get hot (like when we used to run macOS these days haha)? |
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The performance is good. Feels snappier than in OSX but that is also part of the whole Hyprland magic vs the slow OSX animations. |
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Getting an error that the file or directory doesn't exist when running |
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Yeah, seems like the bootloader has changed since @nunix (thanks btw!) wrote this guide. I'm currently running into corrupt packages/installer issues with Omarchy so I can't confirm my solution. For the adventurous: timeout: 5
/Arch Linux (linux)
protocol: linux
path: boot():/vmlinuz-linux-t2
cmdline: root=PARTUUID=UUID zswap.enabled=0 rootflags=subvol=@ rw rootfstype=btrfs intel_iommu=on iommu=pt pcie_ports=compat
module_path: boot():/initramfs-linux-t2.img
/Arch Linux (linux-fallback)
protocol: linux
path: boot():/vmlinuz-linux-t2
cmdline: root=PARTUUID=UUID zswap.enabled=0 rootflags=subvol=@ rw rootfstype=btrfs intel_iommu=on iommu=pt pcie_ports=compat
module_path: boot():/initramfs-linux-t2-fallback.img |
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I ran into issues with config. Changed /boot/EFI/limine/limine.conf and worked for me. |
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thanks @KhalidAdan and @m0rsecode, I should be able to try again later this afternoon and confirm. |
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For those in this boat here are the updated commands I used to update Backup the Append “-t2” to all mentions of “ Append needed kernel options to each |
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Does anyone know, can I use the new ISO installer for this? Or do I need to use the old one? |
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I tried with the ISO and ran into issues before landing here. I think just following the guide and doing a fresh |
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Hi ! Is there a variant to this guide for non-T2 Intel Macs ? I have a MacBook Pro 14,3 and I am having trouble setting up the touchbar for example. Thank you in advance ! |
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Have you tried installing
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i tried but i tried : https://github.com/pedroresende/macbook12-spi-driver |
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Sorry, I don't have a touchbar mac, not sure! |
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Following along in this thread and wondering if you've had any further progress on your T1 mac setup? I have a macbookpro13,2 (2016) device that has a touchbar with esc and function keys. I'm currently testing a dual boot scenario to see if I can keep the T1/usb bridge our of recovery mode so linux can access the device. I am thinking of creating a separate gist to account for the information I've found during my research. There seem to be many other references, but they are a bit old and sometimes with broken references. Any interest in contributing to it? |
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Hey ! Thank you for reaching out but after multiple attempts that did not work, I kinda lost interest in Omarchy and went back to good'ol Mac OS. This damned Touch Bar made it unusable on Arch for me without an external keyboard. I still have the dual boot with omarchy installed so I can test stuff if needed. Here are some references I've found during my attempts you may have them already. Here are my notes as is : " Full guide : https://gist.github.com/almas/5f75adb61bccf604b6572f763ce63e3e?permalink_comment_id=5106386
Maybe this could solve it : intel-media-driver Replace Mac adress cp brcmfmac43602-pcie.txt /lib/firmware/brcm This is the key : https://bugzilla.kernel.org/show_bug.cgi?id=193121
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I didn't have |
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For posterity, make sure you add wget and your editor of choice in the "Additional Packages" section when configuring archinstall, otherwise you could be left with zero tools to troubleshoot with! I think this discrepancy is coming from changes to the Omarchy docs that happened between when OP wrote this and now. |
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Thanks for the guide! So far everything worked perfectly, but with changes from systemd-boot to limine, for some reason, even after installing t2 kernel, it is still loading the kernel without the apple drivers and keyboard and touchpad aren't working I've tried to make t2 kernel load changing limine confs, but with no success at all Any thoughts? |
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Can you share your limine.conf? |
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sure!
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Is anyone else having problems with wifi after suspend? Works perfectly on boot, driver doesn't seem to resume after suspend. Trying to figure out if this is a known problem or a me problem? |
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This is lovely. Thank you @nunix. I actually succeeded in running "archinstall" from a T2.iso (you wrote it doesn't work? I had to add a couple of packages to the live arch but then I could run archinstall). But I still have the issues that I cannot type the disc encrypt pw with the laptop keyboard. But see that @yuters has a fix for that. And my WIFI still does not work. As far as I can see your suggestion for that matches what I have tried without success. Will try again after I fix the keyboard and if it still does not work I may start from scratch with your guide and a standard arch iso |
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I've been using claude to solve most of my issues (linux noob) but in my case wlan0 was not initialized. From my chats: Wi-FINeeded to run Troubleshooting Steps:
Note: After fresh install, may need to manually bring up Connecting To connect run |
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For anyone who has typed in a wifi password many times in error (me) and this may help: there is a flag you can use with iwctl that is --passphrase "pass" |
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for everyone running/testing Omarchy on T2 MacBooks, here a quick request to test the V2.0 iso (building for the time being): git clone https://github.com/nunix/omarchy-iso
cd omarchy-iso
OMARCHY_INSTALLER_REPO=nunix/omarchy ./bin/omarchy-iso-make
# output: release/omarchy-[date]-master.isoLet me know how it worked for you. There's few next steps I would like to do after receiving initial feedback. Hope you like it |
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thanks for the feedback and I'm still fine-tuning/stabilizing it, I'll let you know when it's stable for you to have another test (if you want of course). |
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thank you for you work and sure for another test : my macbook is waiting for it second life ;) |
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@mazaleyrat please have another go 😉 |
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Just compiled and ran it. Here's my experience:
Keyboard troubleshooting:
Adding to the MODULES=() line Rebuild NATIVE MAC KEYBOARD WORKS!! |
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I created an updated process doc — based on your original @nunix Tested on a MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports, T2 chip) However, while it works to install and I can get Omarchy booted, disk encryption password, and progress bar, the window manager never loads and it's stuck on a black screen forever. @nunix I am building and about to test your new V2.0 iso as I type this tho. ============================================ Initial Setup & Boot:
Tip: If the TTY "display size" is bigger than the screen, You can run stty rows xx cols to change it. For example, Core Installation
Post-installation configurations
Backup the Append “-t2” to all mentions of “ Append needed kernel options to each If all looks good delete the backup:
Rebuild
Install Omarchy
Troubleshooting
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Does WiFI work for you have a suspend/resume cycle? |
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Thank you @nunix for all the work you put into the adaptation of Omarchy for those T2 Apple laptops. 👏 I went through this adventurous process last night on MacBookPro15,3 T2 - 15-inch 2018 i9 32GB 1TB. I loved the adventure. More like a sports activity. The only goal for myself was to see if it can be done. It is good though that it is not my laptop, because those pesky issues it has are probably outweighing the benefits. Emphasis on "probably". For some people it might be a great compromise, having macOS and Omarchy on the same laptop. I will personally still pursue having Omarchy on M1 Pro alongside macOS. Cons:
Mind you, that machine being hot is something I experienced using it with macOS anyway. So maybe it is the hardware, maybe thermal paste needs refreshing. Pros:
After all the "sporting events", I will gladly give away or sell, for a small fee, all the Apple laptops with Omarchy on them. Or use them for a computer club. But at the end, very likely, I will reach out for the Framework laptop(s) and go back to writing software on Rails. |
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Here is my "dual boot" recipe I noted while installing Omarchy on MacBookPro15,3 T2 - 15-inch 2018 i9 32GB 1TB. Vital info from the 14th Sep 2025
👏 Coming soon in Omarchy 3.0 Preparation in macOSI wanted to keep macOS. I left 250GB for macOS and created a separate partition from the rest (~750GB) Preparation of Omarchy ISO for T2 git clone -b t2 https://github.com/nunix/omarchy-iso
cd omarchy-iso
OMARCHY_INSTALLER_REPO=nunix/omarchy ./bin/omarchy-iso-make
# output: release/omarchy-[date]-x86_64.isoNote that the above command uses 3 repositories from https://github.com/nunix, all tailored for T2 chipset:
Comparing the above forks with the original Omarchy repos will give you the clues what really is the difference there. Depending on the computer you are building it on, it might take a while:
Use balenaEtcher on Mac/Windows), and boot off the stick (remember to turn off Secure Boot in the BIOS!). Installation1. Arch Linux for T2Starting from the Omarchy ISO for T2 is the key, because it has all required packages for some hardware of the MacBook Pro to actually work:
You will very likely see many connection errors before even seeing Omarchy configurator. But worry not, this doesn't matter at this stage.
# possibly external keyboard with real Esc button will be neede
vim /etc/pacman.conf
# at the end add:
# for arch-mact2
[arch-mact2]
Server = https://mirror.funami.tech/arch-mact2/os/x86_64
SigLevel = Never
# get the databases, especially `arch-mact2`
pacman -Syy
# ??? For some reason `core` and `extra` DBs are being tried to download from `mirror.omarchy.org` and it fails.
# Maybe it was because of the small boot partition
pacman -S linux-t2 linux-t2-headers apple-t2-audio-config apple-bcm-firmware t2fanrd tiny-dfr linux-firmware
# i.e.
MODULES=(btrfs apple-bce)
echo "apple-bce" > /etc/modules-load.d/t2.conf # Load T2 bridge module
echo "brcmfmac" >> /etc/modules-load.d/t2.conf # Ensure WiFi module
sudo mkinitcpio -P
systemctl enable t2fanrd # bluetooth NetworkManager - those two could not be found
vim /boot/loader/entries/..._linux.conf
linux /vmlinuz-linux-t2
initrd /initramfs-linux-t2.img
pacman -R vim
2. Installing Omarchy for T2 from your newly created user
3. Keyboard backlight keybindings# depending on what you find in ls /sys/class/leds/
bind = , XF86KbdBrightnessDown, Keyboard darker, exec, brightnessctl -d apple::kbd_backlight set 20-
bind = , XF86KbdBrightnessUp, Keyboard brighter, exec, brightnessctl -d apple::kbd_backlight set +20Manually accessing
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The last generation of Intel based MacBooks with T2 chips are still quite nice, and while macOS doesn't (?) support it anymore, they have become great Linux hosts.
The challenge however is that the T2 chips need specific kernel drivers, and that's where the t2linux.org community are making priceless contributions.
And while there's an Archlinux T2 iso available, the installation doesn't work with
archinstalland we need to go through the "old way".The good news, and which this manual will show, is that we can go from the base Archlinux ISO, follow the Omarchy installation and add all the drivers after the install.
[IMPORTANT]
The need for an external keyboard (at least) is mandatory. It can be wired or with a dongle. No bluetooth.
During the install, there's no WiFi, so the need for a multiport adapter with an RJ-45 port is also required.
[/IMPORTANT]
Let's jump into the content.
Prerequisites
For each prerequisite below, I'll mention what was used for this manual, so you can have a base for comparison.
Hardware:
Software:
archlinux-2025.08.01-x86_64.isoInstallation
With all the prerequisites ready, boot your MacBook while pressing the
option key(⌥) until you see the EFI boot screen.Follow the instructions below:
EFI Bootwith the yellow disk iconarchinstallMirrors and repositoriesAdd custom repositoryarch-mact2https://mirror.funami.tech/arch-mact2/os/x86_64Neverfor the signature checkTrustAllfor the packages trustedOnce the install is finished, select
chroot into installation for post-installation configurations. Let's add some T2 configurations so upon first reboot, the MacBook can be used as intended.Post-installation configurations
Once entered in the
chrootsession, run the following commands:pacman -Syupacman -S linux-t2 apple-t2-audio-config apple-bcm-firmware linux-firmware t2fanrd tiny-dfrtiny-dfris therefore optional if you don't have a MacBook with the touchbar as I dowget https://mirror.funami.tech/arch-mact2/os/x86_64/apple-bcm-firmware-14.0-1-any.pkg.tar.zst && sudo pacman -U apple-bcm-firmware-14.0-1-any.pkg.tar.zstWill all the packages installed, we can configure the EFI bootloader with the following commands:
sed -i 's/-linux/-linux-t2/g' /boot/loader/entries/*.conflinux-t2installed the needed kernel files in/bootand we update the default and fallback entries to use themsed -i '/^options/{s/$/ intel_iommu=on iommu=pt pcie_ports=compat/}' /boot/loader/entries/*.confExit the
chrootsession and reboot.Omarchy install
From here, the MacBook keyboard should be working just fine and you can install Omarchy with the install script
wget -qO- https://omarchy.org/install | bashOnce the install is done and the host reboots: welcome to Omarchy on the MacBook Intel T2 🎆
Conclusion
This whole write-up happened after a quick exchange with @dhh on X when I showed some screenshots of this setup.
Hopefully this will help other MacBook Intel T2 owners to try out Omarchy.
And if anyone wants to automate the whole process, please feel free to pick anything that can help from this post. It's all open for use and share.
The Corsair 🏴☠️
Bonus: optional configurations
Here's few different configurations that I apply for a "better" (relative to me) user experience with the MacBook and Omarchy:
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