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intel:hacks:wifi_swap [2025/04/28 23:28] – rqmintel:hacks:wifi_swap [2025/04/28 23:50] (current) – rqm
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 ====== Changing the Wi-Fi Card for OpenBSD Compatible Ones in Intel Macbooks  ====== ====== Changing the Wi-Fi Card for OpenBSD Compatible Ones in Intel Macbooks  ======
-{{ :intel:hacks:img_4766.jpeg?600| A1465 Macbook Air with BCM943602CS WiFi card installed }} 
 {{ :intel:hacks:img_4768.jpeg?400| BCM943602CS}} {{ :intel:hacks:img_4768.jpeg?400| BCM943602CS}}
 Many broadcom wireless cards are unfortunately unsupported in OpenBSD. There are, however, exceptions, that will work, and that can be installed in Intel Macbooks. Many broadcom wireless cards are unfortunately unsupported in OpenBSD. There are, however, exceptions, that will work, and that can be installed in Intel Macbooks.
  
-The Wi-Fi card that is generally very well supported by OpenBSD's [[https://man.openbsd.org/bwfm|bwfm]] driver is the ''BCM943602CS''.  This is a full-mac "Airport card" using the ''BCM43602'' chipset, and it has both Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity. You can read its technical sheet here.+The Wi-Fi card that is generally very well supported by OpenBSD's [[https://man.openbsd.org/bwfm|bwfm]] driver is the ''BCM943602CS''.  This is a full-mac "Airport card" using the ''BCM43602'' chipset, and it has both Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity. (Obviously no Bluetooth on OpenBSD since 5.5.) You can read its technical sheet here.
  
 ===== Compatible Models ===== ===== Compatible Models =====
 +Theoretically, any model that has a MiniPCIE WiFi card should work. The below are reported on data sheets etc to work. 
  
   * Macbook Air:   * Macbook Air:
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   * iMac   * iMac
-   * iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2013) [[:A1418]] - [[https://support.apple.com/en-us/111967]] +    * iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2013) [[:A1418]] - [[https://support.apple.com/en-us/111967]] 
-   * iMac (27-inch, Late 2013) [[:A1419]] - [[https://support.apple.com/en-us/111970)]]+    * iMac (27-inch, Late 2013) [[:A1419]] - [[https://support.apple.com/en-us/111970]]
  
   * [[https://www.intriguingindustries.co.uk/product/12-6-adapter/|Further models are likely compatible using a 12+6-30pin Molex Adaptor]]   * [[https://www.intriguingindustries.co.uk/product/12-6-adapter/|Further models are likely compatible using a 12+6-30pin Molex Adaptor]]
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     - Rejoice, run ''# sh /etc/netstart'' if needed     - Rejoice, run ''# sh /etc/netstart'' if needed
  
-{{:intel:hacks:img_4767.jpeg?200|}} {{:intel:hacks:img_4769.jpeg?200|}} {{:intel:hacks:img_4773.jpeg?200|}}  {{:intel:hacks:img_4771.jpeg?200|}}  {{:intel:hacks:img_4772.jpeg?200|}} + {{:intel:hacks:img_4772.jpeg?200| A1465 Macbook Air with its original WiFi card installed}} {{:intel:hacks:img_4769.jpeg?200|}} {{:intel:hacks:img_4773.jpeg?200|}}  {{:intel:hacks:img_4771.jpeg?0x150|}}  {{:intel:hacks:img_4767.jpeg?0x150|}} {{:intel:hacks:img_4766.jpeg?200| A1465 Macbook Air with a replacement BCM943602CS WiFi card installed }} 
 + 
 +==== Swapping the WiFi Card in Macbook (Pro) Models with 3 Antenna Connectors ==== 
 +This is basically a like-for-like swap. Follow your iFixit instructions for opening up your machine, unscrew the bottom case, unscrew the wifi card retainer screw, gently lift the card, bearing in mind that sometimes it is held in place with some putty, disconnect the antenna cables, connect them back in the same order. 
 + 
 +{{:intel:hacks:img_4775.jpeg?0x150|}} 
 + 
 +==== Caveats ==== 
 +On some models (such as the A1465 Air) Internet Rescue over wifi will only work with the original wifi card reinstalled. You can still use Ethernet (with a Thunderbolt dongle) or a flash drive installer if you need to reinstall MacOS. 
 + 
 +===== Shout-outs ===== 
 +THX to [[https://mastodon.social/@morgant|@morgant@mastodon.social]] for initial instructions and guidance on making this work.