You've loaded an old revision of the document! If you save it, you will create a new version with this data. Media Files====== 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 }} 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. ===== Compatible Models ===== * Macbook Air: * MacBook Air (11-inch, Late 2010, Mid 2011) [[:A1370 * MacBook Air (13-inch, Mid 2011) [[:A1369]] - [[https://support.apple.com/en-gb/docs/mac/133336]] * MacBook Air (11-inch, Early 2014) [[:A1465]] - [[https://support.apple.com/en-us/112032]] * MacBook Air (13-inch, Early 2014) [[:A1466]] - [[https://support.apple.com/en-us/111942]] * MacBook Pro * MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Late 2013) [[:A1425]] - [[https://support.apple.com/en-gb/111946]] * MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Early 2014) [[:A1502]] - [[https://support.apple.com/en-us/111942]] * MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Early 2014) [[:A1398]] - [[https://support.apple.com/en-us/111935]] * iMac * 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)]] * [[https://www.intriguingindustries.co.uk/product/12-6-adapter/|Further models are likely compatible using a 12+6-30pin Molex Adaptor]] * [[https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/162178/Wireless+Airport+Card+Replacement+with+New+802.11ac?permalink=answer-265698#answer265698|There are ways to install this chipset in certain iMac models as well.]] ===== Brief Guide ===== This was tested on the [[:A1502]] Macbook Pro and the [[:A1465]] Macbook Air. They are good test cases as there are some key differences. The A1465 uses a 2-antenna setup so the 3 UART connectors pose a question and the original Wi-Fi card is also shorter. The A1502 is much closer in all sorts of ways. ==== Swapping the WiFi Card in Macbook (Air) Models with 2 Antenna Connectors ==== - Follow the iFixit instructions for your model on disassembly. This usually involves getting out your specialised pentalobe and hexalobe screwdrivers and undoing the bottom case screws. - Once open, unscrew the retaining screw for the WiFi card - With a spudger or some ESD safe tweezers gently disconnect the antenna connectors - Remove the original WiFi card by gently pulling and slightly lifting - Because the ''BCM943602CS'' is longer than the original ''BCM94360CS2'', it will overhang a bit but this isn't a problem. Just make sure you insulate the card from accidental contact with other parts, by either simply wrapping it in electric tape, or using a piece of cut shrink tubing, or anything that will insulate it really - Plug in board, plug in the longer antenna connector into J0 (leftmost) and the shorter antenna connector into J1 (rightmost), as pictured - Close it all back up - Run ''# fw_update'' and install the ''bwfm'' drivers if you did not yet have them - Configure ''/etc/hostname.bwfm0'' as per the manual for [[https://man.openbsd.org/hostname.if.5|hostname.if(5)]] - Rejoice, run ''# sh /etc/netstart'' if needed SavePreviewCancel Edit summary Note: By editing this page you agree to license your content under the following license: CC Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International