2011 MacBook Pros can support Handoff/Continuity

[johny979]

When I type in terminal any code and me for Password, this password is password I use in my mac as user?

 

[UncleSchnitty]

Thanks for your help in this mod. You and a bunch of others have been consistently helping people which is sweet.

This is kinda tangent, but I think some of the problems stem from this mod being slightly above the typical comfort level for a lot of users. I think a lot of people know enough to know that they want to do this mod and it is possible, but they don't know enough about the files and systems being modified to retrace steps when they go wrong.

I think people get carried away like you said and do this mod without knowing what they are actually doing. When I first started reading this thread, I certainly didn't.

For me personally, I can't leave well enough alone and when I saw people were providing kext files, I wanted to use them but also wanted to understand what was changed so when ***** hits the fan, I will have a better understanding of how to reverse it or fix it. It is my understanding that the only thing being modified in the kext files is replacing one or more of the "approved board ids" list in the new BT4.0 board file(which omits ids from various MBs circa 2011 etc), to include the ID of the board in your current machine. Pretty simple (but I wouldn't be able to figure that out without help from reading this thread).

I would just ask people reading this thread to understand all of the steps and what you are actually doing like I did. If you do not know what a specific thing does, like

sudo nvram boot-args="kext-dev-mode=1"

or even just the "sudo" in it, check it out and research it a bit. You will find yourself being a lot more comfortable with how computers work if you do.

I agree whole heartedly but I will say if someone made an installer for this that just made you click and type your password people would do it in a heartbeat without thinking twice. Its the point of doing the work themselves in terminal/0xed thats scary. For difficulty I say this is about a 5/10 but people are very used to a 1/10(click ok to install) So it comes down to how much do you want a feature and are you willing to do the "scary" work for it.

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When I type in terminal any code and me for Password, this password is password I use in my mac as user?

yup

 

[johny979]

Thanks for your help in this mod. You and a bunch of others have been consistently helping people which is sweet.

This is kinda tangent, but I think some of the problems stem from this mod being slightly above the typical comfort level for a lot of users. I think a lot of people know enough to know that they want to do this mod and it is possible, but they don't know enough about the files and systems being modified to retrace steps when they go wrong.

I think people get carried away like you said and do this mod without knowing what they are actually doing. When I first started reading this thread, I certainly didn't.

For me personally, I can't leave well enough alone and when I saw people were providing kext files, I wanted to use them but also wanted to understand what was changed so when ***** hits the fan, I will have a better understanding of how to reverse it or fix it. It is my understanding that the only thing being modified in the kext files is replacing one or more of the "approved board ids" list in the new BT4.0 board file(which omits ids from various MBs circa 2011 etc), to include the ID of the board in your current machine. Pretty simple (but I wouldn't be able to figure that out without help from reading this thread).

I would just ask people reading this thread to understand all of the steps and what you are actually doing like I did. If you do not know what a specific thing does, like

sudo nvram boot-args="kext-dev-mode=1"

or even just the "sudo" in it, check it out and research it a bit. You will find yourself being a lot more comfortable with how computers work if you do.

I don´t understand you

The text are in the box, I understand I have to copy or write exactly like this? Or no?

 

[UncleSchnitty]

I don´t understand you

The text are in the box, I understand I have to copy or write exactly like this? Or no?

if you pm me I can try to walk you thru it from the beginning. Im sorry but your post here are kind of random and not well explained so we don't know what you have done/ not done

Never mind you can't PM because you don't have enough posts

 

[johny979]

if you pm me I can try to walk you thru it from the beginning. Im sorry but your post here are kind of random and not well explained so we don't know what you have done/ not done

Sorry for English

I´m spanish and I write as I can....I can´t private you because I don´t have enough messages I think

 

[UncleSchnitty]

Sorry for English

I´m spanish and I write as I can....I can´t private you because I don´t have enough messages I think

well hopefully you backed up your original kexts. I would delete the ones you modified and put the old ones back in and start from the beginning of the tutorial. Make sure when using 0xed you are manually changing and NOT copy/past or find/replace

 

[johny979]

well hopefully you backed up your original kexts. I would delete the ones you modified and put the old ones back in and start from the beginning of the tutorial. Make sure when using 0xed you are manually changing and NOT copy/past or find/replace

Yes, I have backup

I´m trying again the process

 

[johny979]

well hopefully you backed up your original kexts. I would delete the ones you modified and put the old ones back in and start from the beginning of the tutorial. Make sure when using 0xed you are manually changing and NOT copy/past or find/replace

It´s possible in the first 0xed, when I search Mac- the first option are this one?

Mac-00BE6ED71E35EB86

Not finish in letter?

 

[UncleSchnitty]

It´s possible in the first 0xed, when I search Mac- the first option are this one?

Mac-00BE6ED71E35EB86

Not finish in letter?

Yeah, you're fine replace the first (should be after something like "input queue airport_broadcom4360") and then the last Mac- (the last should be before something like "output packet")

 

[MrSimmo]

To confirm - when I'm modding the IO8211Family.kext; I do

- Find "Mac-" and the first entry in the file which is returned, I replace the 16 character alpha numeric string after Mac- (00BE6ED71E35EB86) with the 16 char string I got from the terminal (8ED6AF5B48C039E1). Replacing only one occurrence not multiple.

then I

- Cmd+G (Find Next) all the way through the file till its on the last "Mac-" entry and cannot find any more later on. Then I replace this 16 char string (2E6FAB96566FE58C) with the 16 chat string I got from the terminal Replacing only one occurrence not multiple.

then I save

Does that sound correct?


Many Thanks Simmo

 

[UncleSchnitty]

To confirm - when I'm modding the IO8211Family.kext; I do

- Find "Mac-" and the first entry in the file which is returned, I replace the 16 character alpha numeric string after Mac- (00BE6ED71E35EB86) with the 16 char string I got from the terminal (8ED6AF5B48C039E1). Replacing only one occurrence not multiple.

then I

- Cmd+G (Find Next) all the way through the file till its on the last "Mac-" entry and cannot find any more later on. Then I replace this 16 char string (2E6FAB96566FE58C) with the 16 chat string I got from the terminal Replacing only one occurrence not multiple.

then I save

Does that sound correct?


Many Thanks Simmo

Yes those are the exact mac- to replace. Type them in manually don't let the program replace them automatically (its caused a lot of issues if you do)

 

[MrSimmo]

Yes those are the exact mac- to replace. Type them in manually don't let the program replace them automatically (its caused a lot of issues if you do)

Great stuff thanks, yes I've been using find/replace using the program till now - I'll type manually and give it a go


Cheers

 

[johny979]

Perfect!!
Just working!!

Now Airdrop works perfect

For the calls and message what´s neccesary?

 

[UncleSchnitty]

Perfect!!
Just working!!

Now Airdrop works perfect

For the calls and message what´s neccesary?

if handoff is working everything else should work. call your iPhone from another phone and test it

 

[Istari 3of5]

After doing some research for the past few hours there might still be chance for the 2011 macbook pros to get the features that require bluetooth 4.0 / LE…

Hello abcdefg12345,

would you allow me to translate your howto togerman and post it in the biggest german MacUser-Forum? Surely I would post a link to this original thread.

Many german users don't understand english well and I think they should get the possibility to upgrade their books too.

I just ordered a BT-Card for my late 2011 from ebay.com and I'm very curious if it will work.

Thank you very much for your howto from Germany.

 

[johny979]

if handoff is working everything else should work. call your iPhone from another phone and test it

Perfect!

Calls working perfect too

Millions thanks

 

[UncleSchnitty]

Perfect!

Calls working perfect too

Millions thanks

Glad we could help

 

[galapas]

clarify

You have the same Mac id I have, so here is what you have to do, it's a 2 mn job, except for installing the card :

Download and unzip :
https://db.tt/ro0JtHJQ

Delete IO80211Family.kext from /Systeme/Library/Extensions

Reboot, wifi is now dead.

Copy unzipped IO80211Family.kext to /System/Library/Extensions

Terminal this :

sudo nvram boot-args="kext-dev-mode=1"

sudo chown -R root:wheel /System/Library/Extensions/IO80211Family.kext

sudo chmod -R 644 /System/Library/Extensions/IO80211Family.kext

sudo kextcache -system-prelinked-kernel

sudo kextcache -system-caches

Reboot.

Look for Handoff check box in System Preferences.

To clarify, are the steps you outlined different than the process in post #609?

 

[UncleSchnitty]

To clarify, are the steps you outlined different than the process in post #609?

no use the #609 one

 

[galapas]

no use the #609 one

I'm unclear about step 13. It's says to enter the first "Mac-" number that I found. Is this the one I found in step 8 or in step 12?

To expound, step 14 says to replace with the number I got in Terminal, so I'm assuming step 13 is referencing the number in step 12, but I want to be as sure as I can.

 

[UncleSchnitty]

Ok so I hope dokterdok doesn't mind but I modified his tutorial to clarify a little and to remove the find/replace option since I think that is screwing things up a little.

TUTORIAL

1. Download and install 0xED in your Applications folder, you can get it from here:
http://www.suavetech.com/0xed/

2. Download and install KextDrop in your Applications folder, you can get it from here:
http://www.cindori.org/software/kextdrop/

3. Open Terminal and type :
Code:
sudo nvram boot-args="kext-dev-mode=1"
4. Restart your machine.

5. Open Finder, type CMD+Shift+G and go to /System/Library/Extensions/

6. Copy the files below to your desktop and then delete the originals. Make an extra backup copy of the 2 files in a separate folder just in case.
Code:
IO80211Family.kext
IOBluetoothFamily.kext
7. Go to Terminal, and type: (exactly as below)
Code:
ioreg -l | grep "board-id" | awk -F\" '{print $4}'
8. Your result should look like : Mac-742912EFDBEE19B3, (yours might be different.). Copy it to your clipboard (Select and CMD+C). Don't close terminal yet.

9. Open Finder and hit CMD+Shift+G, go to ~/Desktop/IO80211Family.kext/Contents/Plugins/AirPortBrcm4360.kext/Contents/MacOS
Note: if you have a different OS language, you might need to replace "Desktop" in the path with your local translation.

10. Right Click on AirPortBrcm4360, and choose OPEN WITH: OTHER: 0XED

11. In the upper right hand corner under “search text" search for "Mac-" (without the quotes).

12. Look at the first result, for example, it might be Mac-00BE6ED71E35EB86

13. Delete the numbers after Mac- and Manually type your Mac- numbers (from step 8 be very careful not to delete anything else just the numbers.

14. Press down arrow till you get to the last Mac- (should look like Mac-2E6FAB96566FE58C)

15.Delete the numbers after Mac- and Manually type your Mac- numbers (from step 8 be very careful not to delete anything else just the numbers.

16. Click Save (the red circle)

17. Open Finder and hit CMD+Shift+G to open the "Go to" popup, and go to ~/Desktop/IOBluetoothFamily.kext/Contents/MacOS

18. Right Click on IOBluetoothFamily, and choose OPEN WITH: OTHER: 0XED.

19. In the SEARCH field (upper right corner) type:MacBookAir then enter.

20. You will find a block of text containing
Code:
'MacBookAir4,1''MacBookAir4,2''Macmini5,1''Macmini5,2''Macmini5,3'
Manually replace the numbers with ones only so they all look like:
Code:
'MacBookAir1,1''MacBookAir1,1''Macmini1,1''Macmini1,1''Macmini1,1'
Important: Be careful not to add any character while doing the replacement.

21. Click SAVE (the red circle button) and quit 0xED.

22. Open KextDrop, and Drag and drop the IO80211Family.kext that you modified into the window.

23. Click INSTALL.

24. Repeat steps 23 and 24 but for your modified IOBluetoothFamily.kext

25. Go Back to Terminal, and type the following commands. Wait for each one to finish.

Code:
sudo kextcache -system-prelinked-kernel
Code:
sudo kextcache -system-caches
26. Reboot. Make sure you have an Internet connection for the next steps.

27. Go to > SYSTEM PREFERENCES> GENERAL, at the bottom click ENABLE HANDOFF.

28. Go to > SYSTEM PREFERENCES> ICLOUD, click on SIGN OUT.

29. On your iOS Device, go to SETTINGS> ICLOUD and SIGN OUT.

30. Restart your Mac and iOS device.

31. Go to > SYSTEM PREFERENCES> ICLOUD, and enter your credentials to sign in.

32. On your iOS Device, go to SETTINGS> ICLOUD and SIGN IN.

 

[zoff]

Hi UncleSchnitty, I haven't been following this thread very closely because I followed your instructions from Oct. 4 and everything has been great (thanks) through the last GM updates. Is this just a more detailed version?

Ok so I hope dokterdok doesn't mind but I modified his tutorial to clarify a little and to remove the find/replace option since I think that is screwing things up a little.

TUTORIAL

1. Download and install 0xED in your Applications folder, you can get it from here:
http://www.suavetech.com/0xed/

2. Download and install KextDrop in your Applications folder, you can get it from here:
http://www.cindori.org/software/kextdrop/

3. Open Terminal and type :
Code:
sudo nvram boot-args="kext-dev-mode=1"
4. Restart your machine.

5. Open Finder, type CMD+Shift+G and go to /System/Library/Extensions/

6. Copy the files below to your desktop and then delete the originals. Make an extra backup copy of the 2 files in a separate folder just in case.
Code:
IO80211Family.kext
IOBluetoothFamily.kext
7. Go to Terminal, and type: (exactly as below)
Code:
ioreg -l | grep "board-id" | awk -F\" '{print $4}'
8. Your result should look like : Mac-742912EFDBEE19B3, (yours might be different.). Copy it to your clipboard (Select and CMD+C). Don't close terminal yet.

9. Open Finder and hit CMD+Shift+G, go to ~/Desktop/IO80211Family.kext/Contents/Plugins/AirPortBrcm4360.kext/Contents/MacOS
Note: if you have a different OS language, you might need to replace "Desktop" in the path with your local translation.

10. Right Click on AirPortBrcm4360, and choose OPEN WITH: OTHER: 0XED

11. In the upper right hand corner under “search text" search for "Mac-" (without the quotes).

12. Look at the first result, for example, it might be Mac-00BE6ED71E35EB86

13. Delete the numbers after Mac- and Manually type your Mac- numbers (from step 8 be very careful not to delete anything else just the numbers.

14. Press down arrow till you get to the last Mac- (should look like Mac-2E6FAB96566FE58C)

15.Delete the numbers after Mac- and Manually type your Mac- numbers (from step 8 be very careful not to delete anything else just the numbers.

16. Click Save (the red circle)

17. Open Finder and hit CMD+Shift+G to open the "Go to" popup, and go to ~/Desktop/IOBluetoothFamily.kext/Contents/MacOS

18. Right Click on IOBluetoothFamily, and choose OPEN WITH: OTHER: 0XED.

19. In the SEARCH field (upper right corner) type:MacBookAir then enter.

20. You will find a block of text containing
Code:
'MacBookAir4,1''MacBookAir4,2''Macmini5,1''Macmini5,2''Macmini5,3'
Manually replace the numbers with ones only so they all look like:
Code:
'MacBookAir1,1''MacBookAir1,1''Macmini1,1''Macmini1,1''Macmini1,1'
Important: Be careful not to add any character while doing the replacement.

21. Click SAVE (the red circle button) and quit 0xED.

22. Open KextDrop, and Drag and drop the IO80211Family.kext that you modified into the window.

23. Click INSTALL.

24. Repeat steps 23 and 24 but for your modified IOBluetoothFamily.kext

25. Go Back to Terminal, and type the following commands. Wait for each one to finish.

Code:
sudo kextcache -system-prelinked-kernel
Code:
sudo kextcache -system-caches
26. Reboot. Make sure you have an Internet connection for the next steps.

27. Go to > SYSTEM PREFERENCES> GENERAL, at the bottom click ENABLE HANDOFF.

28. Go to > SYSTEM PREFERENCES> ICLOUD, click on SIGN OUT.

29. On your iOS Device, go to SETTINGS> ICLOUD and SIGN OUT.

30. Restart your Mac and iOS device.

31. Go to > SYSTEM PREFERENCES> ICLOUD, and enter your credentials to sign in.

32. On your iOS Device, go to SETTINGS> ICLOUD and SIGN IN.

 

[robertsblee]

Can someone please re link for the IOBluetoothFamily.kext
Thank You

 

[UncleSchnitty]

Hi UncleSchnitty, I haven't been following this thread very closely because I followed your instructions from Oct. 4 and everything has been great (thanks) through the last GM updates. Is this just a more detailed version?

Yes it just clarifies some of the steps. Mainly the find/replace when using ctrlF causing issues.

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Can someone please re link for the IOBluetoothFamily.kext
Thank You

Thats a bad idea, you should do it yourself because archiving and compressions that google/dropbox use have been corrupting the kexts. Doing it yourself solves a lot of these headaches. Believe me I have been walking people thru this all day.

 

[supraru]

I agree whole heartedly but I will say if someone made an installer for this that just made you click and type your password people would do it in a heartbeat without thinking twice. Its the point of doing the work themselves in terminal/0xed thats scary. For difficulty I say this is about a 5/10 but people are very used to a 1/10(click ok to install) So it comes down to how much do you want a feature and are you willing to do the "scary" work for it.

----------

yep. 100% agreed. Thanks for the edited write up of dokterdok's too. Refining a process to hopefully reduce user error.