T2 Ubuntu Kernel

Ubuntu/Mint/Debian kernel with Apple T2 patches built-in. This repo will try to keep up with kernel new releases.

This project is closely inspired by mikeeq/mbp-fedora-kernel and marcosfad/mbp-ubuntu-kernel. Thank you @mikeeq and @marcosfad for the scripts and setup.

Special thanks to @Redecorating for the CI.

If this repo helped you in any way, consider inviting a coffee to the people in the credits (links given here).

Pre installation steps

Releases starting from 5.16.2 and 5.15.16 (LTS) have apple-bce and apple-ibridge drivers built-into the kernel. Thus, you may remove the dkms versions of them by running :-

sudo rm -r /usr/src/apple-bce*
sudo rm -r /usr/src/apple-ibridge*
sudo rm -r /var/lib/dkms/apple-bce
sudo rm -r /var/lib/dkms/apple-ibridge

In case you have used an iso with kernel version 5.8.x or lower, then the above steps are compulsory.

If you want to install an older kernel (i.e. older than 5.16.2 or 5.15.16 (LTS)), then follow the DKMS Guide to uninstall old drivers and get new drivers for the kernels. It is required only once and must be done before installing a kernel from here.

INSTALLATION

Using the Kernel Upgrade script

Firstly add the t2-ubuntu-repo apt repo :-

curl -s --compressed "https://adityagarg8.github.io/t2-ubuntu-repo/KEY.gpg" | gpg --dearmor | sudo tee /etc/apt/trusted.gpg.d/t2-ubuntu-repo.gpg >/dev/null
sudo curl -s --compressed -o /etc/apt/sources.list.d/t2.list "https://adityagarg8.github.io/t2-ubuntu-repo/t2.list"
sudo apt update

Then, install the script by running :-

sudo apt install t2-kernel-script

If you want to install the latest LTS kernels, then run this instead :-

sudo apt install t2-kernel-script-lts

Now, whenever you wish to upgrade your kernel, run :-

update_t2_kernel -v

Download package manually

Download the .deb packages of linux-headers and linux-image of the kernel you wish to install from the releases section.

Install linux-headers first and then linux-image using apt and restart your Mac. In case you do not know how to do so, follow the instructions given below. Else you are good to go.

On terminal, type sudo apt install and then drag and drop the linux-headers file to the terminal and press enter/return key.

Do the similar process for linux-images package.

Restart your Mac.

Building yourself

Clone the repo using

git clone https://github.com/t2linux/T2-Ubuntu-Kernel

Open a terminal window and run

cd T2-Ubuntu-Kernel
sudo ./build.sh

The kernel shall take around an hour to compile. After that you shall find three .deb packages in /root/work.

Install the linux-headers package first using apt. In case you do not know how to do so, follow the instructions described in the above The easy way section. Similarly install the linux-image package too.

Restart your Mac.

You may then delete the /root/work directory using sudo rm -r /root/work to free up space.

Docs

• Discord: https://discord.gg/Uw56rqW
• WiFi firmware:
  • https://wiki.t2linux.org/guides/wifi/
• blog Installing Fedora 31 on a 2018 Mac mini: https://linuxwit.ch/blog/2020/01/installing-fedora-on-mac-mini/
• iwd:
  • https://iwd.wiki.kernel.org/networkconfigurationsettings
  • https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Iwd
  • https://www.vocal.com/secure-communication/eap-types/

Ubuntu

• https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KernelTeam/GitKernelBuild
• https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Repositories/Personal
• https://medium.com/sqooba/create-your-own-custom-and-authenticated-apt-repository-1e4a4cf0b864
• https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Kernel/Compile
• https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Kernel/BuildYourOwnKernel
• https://www.linux.com/training-tutorials/kernel-newbie-corner-building-and-running-new-kernel/
• https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KernelTeam/KernelMaintenance

Credits

• @Redecorating - thanks for editing the scripts and CI for Ubuntu
• @fishpm-anu - thanks for the kernel upgrade script
• @marcosfad - thanks for the original script for Ubuntu
• @MCMrARM - thanks for all RE work
• @ozbenh - thanks for submitting NVME patch
• @roadrunner2 - thanks for SPI (touchbar) driver
• @aunali1 - thanks for ArchLinux Kernel CI and active support
• @jamlam - thanks for providing the Correlium wifi patch
• @ppaulweber - thanks for keyboard and Macbook Air patches
• @mikeeq - thanks for the fedora kernel project and compilation scripts