Handoff Breakdown With Activation Tool

[MacVidCards]

Good News !!! USB DONGLES CAN WORK IF MADE FROM APPLE PARTS (In Progress, need input)

So I know that the instructions say "No External USB dongles" but that phrase is in fact referring to NON APPLE USB dongles.

We have successfully placed a USB dongle (using Apple BT card inside) and gotten Handoff checkbox in a 2010 MBP 15".

If you think about it, if the "Can't be external USB" were true, then OS X Wifi's 2009-12 MP kit WOULDN'T WORK...it loops outside of the machine and comes in through a USB port. And it works for the same reason a USB dongle made from Apple parts does, because it has all of the right Apple part numbers.

Anyhow, ran the app and the Handoff checkbox appeared. Putting 8,1 on an iPhone 5S on the same iCloud account now.

So my thought is that using this BT dongle will work for some folks, BUT ONLY IF YOU HAVE A BROADLOOM WIFI CARD THAT WORKS WITH 94360 KEXT.

How do I know that? Because I have spent last few hours trying to get a Mac Pro to use Handoff with a Broadcom 4328 card. So far, no checkbox. I have tried adding the device id into the 94360 kext and removing the kext it was running from, so far no luck.

So we will eventually need to figure out which Broadcom cards can run from the kext and which can't. I may try just renaming kext to see if something else just looks for the name.

Anyhow, these USB dongles may or may not be the answer for people who have impossible or difficult to replace BT cards.

So, next we need to figure out which Braodcom WiFi cards work.

If anyone in Hollywood area has a MBP 2008 or 2009 with Broadcom WiFi and wants to be a guinea pig, PM me.

Just airdropped pix back and forth from 2010 to 5S using external USB (Apple parts). So, external USB can work if right one.

 

[UncleSchnitty]

So I know that the instructions say "No External USB dongles" but that phrase is in fact referring to NON APPLE USB dongles.

We have successfully placed a USB dongle (using Apple BT card inside) and gotten Handoff checkbox in a 2010 MBP 15".

If you think about it, if the "Can't be external USB" were true, then OS X Wifi's 2009-12 MP kit WOULDN'T WORK...it loops outside of the machine and comes in through a USB port. And it works for the same reason a USB dongle made from Apple parts does, because it has all of the right Apple part numbers.

Anyhow, ran the app and the Handoff checkbox appeared. Putting 8,1 on an iPhone 5S on the same iCloud account now.

So my thought is that using this BT dongle will work for some folks, BUT ONLY IF YOU HAVE A BROADLOOM WIFI CARD THAT WORKS WITH 94360 KEXT.

How do I know that? Because I have spent last few hours trying to get a Mac Pro to use Handoff with a Broadcom 4328 card. So far, no checkbox. I have tried adding the device id into the 94360 kext and removing the kext it was running from, so far no luck.

So we will eventually need to figure out which Broadcom cards can run from the kext and which can't. I may try just renaming kext to see if something else just looks for the name.

Anyhow, these USB dongles may or may not be the answer for people who have impossible or difficult to replace BT cards.

So, next we need to figure out which Braodcom WiFi cards work.

If anyone in Hollywood area has a MBP 2008 or 2009 with Broadcom WiFi and wants to be a guinea pig, PM me.

Just airdropped pix back and forth from 2010 to 5S using external USB (Apple parts). So, external USB can work if right one.

I have "Cant be external usb" because for the most part when people read it they think they can get any BTUSB4.0 dongle and it will work and that would be a misinterpretation that would cause many more issues then it would solve. I am well aware that you have been working on the dongle for awhile now but as of now its sort of a one-off situation.

Ill amend the OP to clarify this but I honestly think its going to cause more confusion then anything.

Once you get more testing done and know exactly what it works with and how to make it work ill gladly feature it.

 

[ECJ]

The link above is for a BCM94331CD not a BCM94360CD. According to http://www.osxwifi.com/pre-order-ap...ac-bluetooth-4-0-with-adapter-for-macpro-2008

the BCM94360CD includes AC WiFi support while the BCM94331CD does not. If I'm going to go to the trouble of doing all this I'm going the get AC support while I'm at it.

Sorry about that. The correct link is http://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-Broad...US_Internal_Network_Cards&hash=item2c7a42e742

 

[BMT]

If it does use the Pro 15" card tray then it will work. You can always give it a shot. But I can't really confirm that unless you open up your mac and take a picture so I can see for sure if it has that tray with the card or not.

I just took the back off my Mid 2010 17" MBP and can confirm this is indeed the case.

 

[UncleSchnitty]

I just took the back off my Mid 2010 17" MBP and can confirm this is indeed the case.

Image

Awesome thank you, I will add that info to the OP. So now we know you can update that card and run the kext app and you'll be good.

 

[GhostRaider]

To the original poster and other cMPB Mid 2012 owners, Handoff works out of the box. No need to do anything.

 

[InfoTime]

Another data point on a Late 2009 27" iMac. Here's the Bluetooth antenna:

I just snapped that pic because I have this part waiting to install. A while back I destroyed my antenna cable when I got careless opening my iMac. The built in Bluetooth no longer works and I've been relying on a cheap USB external replacement. That's one reason I'm interested in this hack, because I'm going to have to go back into the machine at some point to put this antenna module in.

But it raises a question for us iMac hackers: what about our antenna. I don't know what that big chunk of metal attached to the antenna does. I do know that when my blue antenna cable got pulled out of it it no longer worked. My assumption is that its hard to transmit a signal for Bluetooth out of an aluminum enclosure and this little magic box mitigates that somehow. Also, I don't think this antenna cable would reach where the WiFi card is located, so you might need an extension.

 

[MacVidCards]

I have "Cant be external usb" because for the most part when people read it they think they can get any BTUSB4.0 dongle and it will work and that would be a misinterpretation that would cause many more issues then it would solve. I am well aware that you have been working on the dongle for awhile now but as of now its sort of a one-off situation.

Ill amend the OP to clarify this but I honestly think its going to cause more confusion then anything.

Once you get more testing done and know exactly what it works with and how to make it work ill gladly feature it.

Dude, totally cool with that. I only have a few of these things. I have the parts to make 20 or so more but they are a PAIN to make so I'm not super eager to sell them.

I just want to point out (and find) that for certain "troublesome" machines, these may be a better (or only) answer.

The real trick is going to be finding out which Broadcom WiFi chips can be forced to run fro that needed 94360 kext.

 

[UncleSchnitty]

Another data point on a Late 2009 27" iMac. Here's the Bluetooth antenna:

Image

I just snapped that pic because I have this part waiting to install. A while back I destroyed my antenna cable when I got careless opening my iMac. The built in Bluetooth no longer works and I've been relying on a cheap USB external replacement. That's one reason I'm interested in this hack, because I'm going to have to go back into the machine at some point to put this antenna module in.

But it raises a question for us iMac hackers: what about our antenna. I don't know what that big chunk of metal attached to the antenna does. I do know that when my blue antenna cable got pulled out of it it no longer worked. My assumption is that its hard to transmit a signal for Bluetooth out of an aluminum enclosure and this little magic box mitigates that somehow. Also, I don't think this antenna cable would reach where the WiFi card is located, so you might need an extension.

I tested this last night with an 08 iMac I used the card and adapter for my Mac pro inside of it. It worked fine with only 2 antennas plugged in. I did not test if range was shortened but at a normal distance it was fine. Also you have the option of keeping the old BT card in along with the new card however I did not test what signal gets sent out the 2.1 or the 4.0 le but system report reports you have 4.0le so handoff will function.

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Dude, totally cool with that. I only have a few of these things. I have the parts to make 20 or so more but they are a PAIN to make so I'm not super eager to sell them.

I just want to point out (and find) that for certain "troublesome" machines, these may be a better (or only) answer.

The real trick is going to be finding out which Broadcom WiFi chips can be forced to run fro that needed 94360 kext.

As always let me know if I can help at all, I don't mind being a guinea pig. Ive been following your work for awhile now and I've known about the Usb you've been working on but like I said its kinda hard to explain to people easily.

Anyway just like with the iMac let me know what you need.

 

[InfoTime]

Late 2009 27" iMac

Parts list:

MPCI adapter
WiFi / Bluetooth 4.0 card

Unknown if needed:

USB signal lines, USB for + and -. Run a wire from existing plug that goes to current Bluetooth board (which would be removed) that carries just the USB + and - signals to the OSXWIFI adapter board?

Bluetooth Antenna extension.

So, can anyone know whether the USB signal is present without installing this stuff and just seeing if it passes or fails?

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I tested this last night with an 08 iMac I used the card and adapter for my Mac pro inside of it. It worked fine with only 2 antennas plugged in. I did not test if range was shortened but at a normal distance it was fine. Also you have the option of keeping the old BT card in along with the new card however I did not test what signal gets sent out the 2.1 or the 4.0 le but system report reports you have 4.0le so handoff will function.

Range for Bluetooth or range for WiFi? From what I understand it looks like newer AC cards have three WiFi antennas. Bluetooth only 1 still. I wonder if you had two WiFi antennas hooked up and no Bluetooth antenna? If that's the case then Bluetooth was working without an antenna?

 

[UncleSchnitty]

Parts list:

MPCI adapter
WiFi / Bluetooth 4.0 card

Unknown if needed:

USB signal lines, USB for + and -. Run a wire from existing plug that goes to current Bluetooth board (which would be removed) that carries just the USB + and - signals to the OSXWIFI adapter board?

Bluetooth Antenna extension.

So, can anyone know whether the USB signal is present without installing this stuff and just seeing if it passes or fails?

Usb lines can either go to the original slot (clean install) or run it out to a usb port (not good looking at all)

Like I said I tried it with only the 2 antennas plugged in with the 08 iMac and it was fine but if you want to use them all you could either get antenna cable and place it elsewhere, or cut the cable and extend it. (I looked about 2 months ago for extenders and couldn't find them but please feel free to look.)

The easiest way is just that, try it. anything else is going to be more difficult if possible. Hopefully someone will bite the bullet and give it a shot so we know.

 

[ddelmonte]

All ok on a MBA/2011. As others have reported, no need to logout/in after reboot. Thank you tons guys for making this happen.

Now, anyone got a specific recommendation for a 2012 MacPro 5,1?

 

[UncleSchnitty]

[/COLOR]Range for Bluetooth or range for WiFi? From what I understand it looks like newer AC cards have three WiFi antennas. Bluetooth only 1 still. I wonder if you had two WiFi antennas hooked up and no Bluetooth antenna? If that's the case then Bluetooth was working without an antenna?

I plugged in the middle 2 so one wifi one bluetooth. All testing was done at the desk with the wifi ac router in down the hall in a closet. Like I said No issues

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All ok on a MBA/2011. As others have reported, no need to logout/in after reboot. Thank you tons guys for making this happen.

Now, anyone got a specific recommendation for a 2012 MacPro 5,1?

I used these guys. Here

and for anyone wondering you can get antennas from them, you just have to figure out where to mount them.

 

[anthonypiazza]

mid 2010 macbook pro 13 hardware

Question: i have a mid 2010 macbook pro 13" A1278, i obviously need to replace my airport card in order for this to work.. does anyone know of a card replacement that is bluetooth 4.0 because I'm pretty sure a BCM94331PCIEBT4CAX card replacement will not fit... or will it? am i looking in the wrong places?

image of card in my model...

https://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/fN2Sq6KWkwBtLZ3E.huge

what this forum says i need...

http://www.amazon.com/BCM94331PCIEBT4CAX-MacBook-A1278-A1286-AirPort/dp/B00NV1IXV8/ref=pd_sxp_f_pt

 

[anthonypiazza]

suposedly mid 2009 MBP are also upgradable (referring to first post)
but I don't understand how that should be done?

I compared the pictures of 2009's bluetooth chip with BCM94331PCIEBT4CAX

2009's card's got 2 cables - the BCM94331PCIEBT4CAX got 4 … is this going to work?

Image

Image

having the same issue, but i have a mid 2010 macbook pro 13" let me know if you find a solution....

 

[anthonypiazza]

Question: i have a mid 2010 macbook pro 13" A1278, i obviously need to replace my airport card in order for this to work.. does anyone know of a card replacement that is bluetooth 4.0 because I'm pretty sure a BCM94331PCIEBT4CAX card replacement will not fit... or will it? am i looking in the wrong places?

image of card in my model...

https://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/fN2Sq6KWkwBtLZ3E.huge

what this forum says i need...

http://www.amazon.com/BCM94331PCIEBT4CAX-MacBook-A1278-A1286-AirPort/dp/B00NV1IXV8/ref=pd_sxp_f_pt

just read more of the forum and the mid 2010 card is in the hinge, so the BCM94331PCIEBT4CAX card obviously won't work, if someone find or has another solution let me know.. willing to make modifications if necessary..

 

[dokterdok]

Dude, totally cool with that. I only have a few of these things. I have the parts to make 20 or so more but they are a PAIN to make so I'm not super eager to sell them.

I just want to point out (and find) that for certain "troublesome" machines, these may be a better (or only) answer.

The real trick is going to be finding out which Broadcom WiFi chips can be forced to run fro that needed 94360 kext.

FYI I've successfully enabled the wi-fi Brcm4360 drivers on a MBP 2010 with stock hardware, then added a cheap Asus USB-BT400 Dongle which sports a BRCM20702 series chip, same as in the compatible AirPort card. No success in getting continuity to work so far. I'm looking at the FW+kext side now.

 

[iadesdragon]

FYI I've successfully enabled the wi-fi Brcm4360 drivers on a MBP 2010 with stock hardware, then added a cheap Asus USB-BT400 Dongle which sports a BRCM20702 series chip, same as in the compatible AirPort card. No success in getting continuity to work so far. I'm looking at the FW+kext side now.

Since i do not have access to the required hardware here i only can guess what should prevent your asus dongle to operate.

"It´s an Asus Dongle" ( not meant to be funny ) but there might be something to do about it .

As far as i can take form all the forums, on apples acutal Wifi + BLE Card the Broadcom seems to be a USB Device anyway ( wich chould be confirmed by using systeminfo ).

If this is the case the BLE Device on a actual 2013/14 mac will have a USB VID and PID ( vendor & product ID ).

This VID and PID is usually stored in a specific memory area of the USB Controller (EEPROM) that is part of the Broadcom BLE Chip ( and usually there are tools given by the vendor of the chip that can change those using USB )

So if somebody has these tools ( wich might be a hard thing to get by with broadcom because they are quit picky on this ) one could change the VID and PID of Asus to the VID and PID of Apple ( wich in fact make the ASUS BLE an Apple BLE Modul )...

A similar trick is used e.g. on the navistick GPS ubs dongle to make it a Parrot AR Flight Recorder...
http://www.ardrone-flyers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6629

This would do the trick ( in theory )...

Only my five cents ( and im not sure if they are worth it since i lack any of the hardware required to verify this )

 

[odedia]

Sorry, its not clear to me, will this NOT work with my early 2011 17" MBP?

 

[MrViking]

27" 2011 imac

I'd be willing to Try this on my 27" iMac (2011).

I found the card on eBay, but I read in this thread I need some sort of adaptor(?), but couldn't find any more info on what kind of thing it is

Also this machine has two cards (separate BT and wifi). If I unhook the BT, install the new card I can use both its wifi and BT, correct?

Awesome work by the way.. Love it

 

[LightBulbFun]

Unfortunately that has the wifi card in the hinge so there is no card that size to replace it with.

I poped the cover off my Macbook Pro the wifi card is by the Hard drive in my machine look at the attached pic so i'm wondering if its possible to fit another Wifi and blue tooth card to enable hand off (continuity)

 

[borgusio]

Security issues?

Hello guys,

can anyone explain me if the critic about the lack of security of this hack are founded?

Can you confirm that the hack removes BT encryption thus potentially giving anyone the chance to hook to my Mac with a iOs device?

thanks

 

[Lem3ssie]

Hello guys,

can anyone explain me if the critic about the lack of security of this hack are founded?

Can you confirm that the hack removes BT encryption thus potentially giving anyone the chance to hook to my Mac with a iOs device?

thanks

Who told you that bull...t. No encryption removed.

 

[bester21]

What a Bloothoth - WIFI card i need for the MacBook

MacBook (13 Zoll, Late 2009)
https://www.ifixit.com/Device/MacBook_Unibody_Model_A1342

Pleas answere.
Thanks

 

[chadwickaaron]

It works!!

Thanks for the feedback. I've just posted an updated version which should fix this bug. Please re-download it and let me know if it works.

It worked, thanks. I have attached a second screenshot. I did get another error (a different one than the first), so it made me reboot. But when I ran the script again after the reboot, it worked perfectly.

Thanks.
C