Please update the tool to work with macOS 10.15: Catalina. I have a 8,1 2011 MBP and have updated the Wifi Card: BCM94331PCIEBT4CAX

[aqibi2000]

Have you tried these steps?

I have not seen anyone cover the same topic.

Using the Resupported OSX tool, I have been able to install 10.15 OSX onto my 2011 MBP however cannot use hands-off Continuity features.

• OS Version: 10.15
• Mac model: MBP 8,1
• Replaced card --> BCM94331PCIEBT4CAX

• Used card: Confirmed working when running 10.12

  Bluetooth Low Energy Supported: Yes Handoff Supported: No Instant Hot Spot Supported: No

Much appreciated

[andsoitgoes]

I'm in the same boat, unfortunately. I finally got my MPB back up after a dead battery, and got Mojave loaded beautifully, so I decided to use Dosman1's tool to install Catalina, but man oh man did things just not work nicely. No ability to prefer the integrated GPU and no way to get CAT working.

Alas I think we're a dying bunch and we won't be in the market for using Catalina if we want these features. IT sucks because Catalina is a hell of an improvement over Mojave, yet we are SOL :(

Hopefully someone can work on this and make it happen, but I'm right there with you man.

[aqibi2000]

I'm in the same boat, unfortunately. I finally got my MPB back up after a dead battery, and got Mojave loaded beautifully, so I decided to use Dosman1's tool to install Catalina, but man oh man did things just not work nicely. No ability to prefer the integrated GPU and no way to get CAT working.

Alas I think we're a dying bunch and we won't be in the market for using Catalina if we want these features. IT sucks because Catalina is a hell of an improvement over Mojave, yet we are SOL :(

Hopefully someone can work on this and make it happen, but I'm right there with you man.

@andsoitgoes there is hope, @dokterdok is working on making this happen for MBP8,1. Just not clear on the ETA it was meant to happen when the 10.15 GM was released.

@dokterdok please confirm the ETA.

[andsoitgoes]

Wait @aqibi2000 not that I don’t believe you but where did you see this? Super exciting news!!

[andreami96]

I am hoping for Catalina support with you guys. @aqibi2000 how do you know that @dokterdok is working on it?

[revborghardt]

I have a Mac Pro 5,1 (flashed from 4,1). Catalina installed. Continuity works. Airdrop works. Apple Watch works for passwords but doesn't unlock screensaver. Unpatched with your app. I hope you fix the app for 5,1 too!

[fsikhtian]

My Mac 8,3 late 2011 17" worked great on Mojave 10.14.6 and earlier with Continuity Activation tool and Cody Schrank's gSwitch 1.9.5. Unfortunately, with Catalina, both don't seem to work. I had difficulty getting CAT to run by clicking the icon. When I ran it from terminal (% sudo ../Continuity-Activation-Tool-beta/Continuity\ Activation\ Tool.app/Contents/Resources/contitool.sh) it appeared to work, but upon reboot and check it showed as failed. It would be great if these tools could be updated and work!

[vomutz]

hello, I have a MBP 13" late 2011, it worked with Mojave with Continuity Activation tool. now with Calalina Continuity Activation tool don't work. Please update this tools. thanks.

[fredsim]

people, please stop bugging @dokterdok. what you need to do is just praying to God(s) hoping @dokterdok has the time and energy to continue this project. being pushy would make him irritated and fuck off from the project. so let's wait.

[aqibi2000]

@fredsim very hypocritical for you to @ him twice in your rant

[fredsim]

@aqibi2000 don't be smartass, just be patience. even the sierra-beta works very well on Catalina if you know how to disable the read-only protection in the root filesystem

[aqibi2000]

@fredsim “ sierra-beta works very well on Catalina “ can you explain what this even means? Maybe with a few more words to give it some context.

[robog0bo]

@aqibi2000 don't be smartass, just be patience. even the sierra-beta works very well on Catalina if you know how to disable the read-only protection in the root filesystem

That's the part that could use some clarification, disabling the read-only protection. I've tried everything and still wind up with a mess.

[aqibi2000]

1) Disable SIP via running in Recovery Mode, lots of tutorials on google on this one

2) Start the Mac and log onto an admin account, in terminal run this command: "sudo mount -uw /" which disable read-only protection temporarily until you restart the laptop next time

3) next run this command: sudo /Users/aqibidrees/Downloads/Continuity-Activation-Tool-beta/Continuity\ Activation\ Tool.app/Contents/Resources/contitool.sh. obviously change the user name to your own account name and just put the Beta tool in the downloads folder to run the above from terminal

OR

go to the the Continuity Activation Tool, click on Show package contents

locate contitool.sh

Open up terminal, write "sudo " and drag the contitool.sh and press enter and type you admin password (if this doesn't do anything then you missed the space after sudo) into the terminal to run it as admin

4) Then it will show you the normal steps for running CAT

Mine now works Hands Off and Instant Hot spot are showing in the System Report on 10.15 on MacBook Pro 2011 with the new WiFi Card.

Problem solved, now to understand why Catalina makes the MBP so hot.

[lberrezoug]

@aqibi2000 Does it work for Catalina version 10.15.1 ? thank you in advance for your answer

[aqibi2000]

@aqibi2000 Does it work for Catalina version 10.15.1 ? thank you in advance for your answer

Don’t see any reason for it not to work it’s only a minor security update from 10.15. Try it and let us know.

[lberrezoug]

Unfortunately it didn't work for me, I tried several times and I still have the same result "reboot loop"

[lberrezoug]

For your information I have MacBook Pro 2011 with the new WiFi Card and macOS Catalina Patcher, before with Mojave Patcher everything worked perfectly.

[robog0bo]

I followed the steps above and ran CAT. It looks like it enabled Continuity, but I still couldn't turn on auto unlock or see any handoff functions working. After running CAT again and choosing 2) System Diagnostics, I get the following

--- Hardware/OS checks --- Verifying Continuity status... OK. OS X reports Continuity as active Verifying Mac model reference... OK. Known compatible Mac Model detected: MacPro5,1 Verifying Mac board-id... OK. Short board id detected: Mac-F221BEC8 Verifying OS X version... Warning: This tool wasn't tested with OS X versions higher than 10.10. Detected OS version: 10.13.6 Verifying Wi-Fi hardware... WARNING. An unknown/untested AirPort card using the 'BrcmNIC' kext is active. This tool can't fix this. Verifying AWDL status... OK. An AWDL interface is up, Wi-Fi is ready for Continuity Verifying Bluetooth hardware... OK. The internal Bluetooth card is active Verifying Bluetooth version... OK. Bluetooth 4.0 detected Verifying Bluetooth features... OK. Bluetooth features are Continuity compliant Verifying Bluetooth firmware... OK. Bluetooth firmware version: v144 c9291 Verifying Login Item... osascript: OpenScripting.framework - scripting addition "/Library/ScriptingAdditions/Adobe Unit Types.osax" cannot be used with the current OS because it has no OSAXHandlers entry in its Info.plist. OK. Login item for Auto Continuity Check is not set.

--- Modifications check --- Verifying OS kext protection... OK. Kext developer mode is not active. This tool can fix this. Verifying SIP... Ok. System Integrity Protection is already disabled Verifying ContinuitySupport... OK. Already patched. Verifying kexts readability... OK. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth kexts were found and could be read ATTENTION: run in sandbox Verifying Wi-Fi whitelist status... OK. Your board-id is not yet whitelisted. This tool can fix this. Checking legacy kext... OK. Not using legacy kext. Verifying BT4 dongles compatibility... OK. Compatibility with BT4 USB dongles is not enabled, this tool can fix this if a dongle is plugged in Verifying old Wi-Fi kext presence... OK. Legacy Brcm4331 Wi-Fi driver is present. This tool can fix this. Verifying legacy Wi-Fi card patch... OK. The legacy Wi-Fi patch is not present. This tool can fix this. --- Modifications check ---

So there were a few things left undone, like whitelisting the board, and maybe a few others (I'm not sure which of the "this tool can fix this" stuff is necessary). Do I need to do some of these steps manually? I disabled SIP and read-only, but I still see "ATTENTION: run in sandbox" and "Kext developer mode is not active". Also, "WARNING. An unknown/untested AirPort card using the 'BrcmNIC' kext is active. This tool can't fix this." I'm using a BCM94360CD card which is reported to work. Hmmm

Here's my System Profiler info:

Apple Bluetooth Software Version: 6.0.7f10 Hardware, Features, and Settings: Name: Address:
Bluetooth Low Energy Supported: Yes Handoff Supported: Yes Instant Hot Spot Supported: Yes Manufacturer: Broadcom Transport: USB Chipset: 20702B0 Firmware Version: v144 c9291 Bluetooth Power: On Discoverable: Off Connectable: Yes Auto Seek Pointing: On Remote wake: On Vendor ID: 0x05AC Product ID: 0x828D HCI Version: 4.0 (0x6) HCI Revision: 0x244B LMP Version: 4.0 (0x6) LMP Subversion: 0x4190 Device Type (Major): Computer Device Type (Complete): Mac Desktop Composite Class Of Device: 0x380104 Device Class (Major): 0x01 Device Class (Minor): 0x01 Service Class: 0x1C0 Auto Seek Keyboard: On

Interfaces: en2: Card Type: AirPort Extreme (0x14E4, 0x111) Firmware Version: Broadcom BCM43xx 1.0 (7.77.37.31.1a9) MAC Address: b8:09:8a:43:62:ee Locale: ETSI Country Code: CH Supported PHY Modes: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Supported Channels: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 100, 104, 108, 112, 116, 120, 124, 128, 132, 136, 140, 149, 153, 157, 161 Wake On Wireless: Supported AirDrop: Supported AirDrop Channel: 44 Auto Unlock: Supported Status: Connected

Anything look out of the ordinary?

[thweedman]

Macbookpro8,1 with BTLE airport card here having similar issues. csrutil status gives some ominous warnings

`Macs-MacBook-Pro:~ mojave$ csrutil status System Integrity Protection status: unknown (Custom Configuration).

Configuration: Apple Internal: disabled Kext Signing: disabled Filesystem Protections: disabled Debugging Restrictions: disabled DTrace Restrictions: disabled NVRAM Protections: disabled BaseSystem Verification: disabled

This is an unsupported configuration, likely to break in the future and leave your machine in an unknown state.`

`--- OS X Continuity Activation Tool 2.6b6 --- by sysfloat
original by dokterdok

--- Initiating system compatibility check ---

Verifying Mac model reference... OK Verifying Mac board-id... OK Verifying OS X version... Warning: This tool wasn't tested on OS X versions higher than 10.10. Detected OS version: 10.15.1 Are you sure you want to continue? 1) Yes 2) No

? 1

Verifying Wi-Fi hardware... OK Verifying Bluetooth version... OK Verifying Bluetooth features... OK Verifying kexts readability... OK ATTENTION: App run in sandbox! TODO:addwikilink /Users/mojave/Desktop/Continuity-Activation-Tool-beta/Continuity Activation Tool.app/Contents/Resources/contitool.sh: line 1903: backupFolderBeforePatch: command not found /Users/mojave/Desktop/Continuity-Activation-Tool-beta/Continuity Activation Tool.app/Contents/Resources/contitool.sh: line 1904: backupFolderAfterPatch: command not found Checking legacy kext... OK. Not using legacy kext. Verifying Wi-Fi whitelist status... OK Verifying legacy Wi-Fi card patch... OK Verifying old Wi-Fi kext presence... OK Verifying Login Item... OK. Auto Continuity Check on

--- Initiating Continuity mod ---

Checking legacy kext... OK. Disabling OS kext protection... OK Fixing disk permissions... OK Backing up original drivers... Would you like to overwrite the existing backup found in /Users/mojave/KextsBackupBeforePatch? 1) Yes, overwrite 2) No, skip this backup

? 2

Skipping backup... OK Skipping blacklist patch... OK Skipping BT4 USB dongle patch... OK Patching whitelist...................... OK Cleaning up old Wi-Fi kext... WARNING. Failed to delete the legacy Brcm4331 Wi-Fi kext. Continuing. Applying legacy Wi-Fi card patch... OK Updating kext caches... OK Updating system caches... OK Backing up patched drivers... Would you like to overwrite the existing backup found in /Users/mojave/KextsBackupAfterPatch? 1) Yes, overwrite 2) No, skip this backup

? 2

Skipping backup... OK`

but the biggest problem is the post install instructions

`ALMOST DONE! After rebooting: 1) Make sure that both your Mac and iOS device have Bluetooth turned on, and are on the same Wi-Fi network. 2) On OS X go to SYSTEM PREFERENCES> GENERAL> and ENABLE HANDOFF. 3) On iOS go to SETTINGS> GENERAL> HANDOFF & SUGGESTED APPS> and ENABLE HANDOFF. 4) On OS X, sign out and then sign in again to your iCloud account. Troubleshooting: support.apple.com/kb/TS5458 After verifying that Continuity works, you can reenable SIP via the Recovery OS

Thanks to Lem3ssie, UncleSchnitty, Skvo, toleda, TealShark, Manic Harmonic, rob3r7o, RehabMan, kramsee and the many beta testers for their support. Updated by sysfloat`

There is no option to enable handoff under the general settings anymore! hopefully someone with more skill than myself can make sense of this.

[thweedman]

another attempt

The default interactive shell is now zsh. To update your account to use zsh, please runchsh -s /bin/zsh`. For more details, please visit https://support.apple.com/kb/HT208050. Macs-MacBook-Pro:~ mojave$ chsh -s /bin/zsh Changing shell for mojave. Password for mojave: Macs-MacBook-Pro:~ mojave$ sudo /Users/mojave/Desktop/Continuity-Activation-Tool-beta/Continuity\ Activation\ Tool.app/Contents/Resources/contitool.sh -f Password:

--- Initiating Continuity mod ---

Checking legacy kext... OK. Disabling OS kext protection... OK Fixing disk permissions... OK Backing up original drivers... Would you like to overwrite the existing backup found in /Users/mojave/KextsBackupBeforePatch? 1) Yes, overwrite 2) No, skip this backup

? 2

Skipping backup... OK Skipping blacklist patch... OK Verifying BT4 dongle patch status... OK Setting HCI switch behavior... OK Patching Bluetooth feature flags... Can't rename /System/Library/Extensions/IOBluetoothFamily.kext/Contents/MacOS/IOBluetoothFamily to /System/Library/Extensions/IOBluetoothFamily.kext/Contents/MacOS/IOBluetoothFamily.bak: Read-only file system, skipping file. rm: /System/Library/Extensions/IOBluetoothFamily.kext/Contents/MacOS/IOBluetoothFamily.bak: No such file or directory OK Applying legacy Wi-Fi card patch... OK Patching whitelist...................... OK Cleaning up old Wi-Fi kext... WARNING. Failed to delete the legacy Brcm4331 Wi-Fi kext. Continuing. Applying legacy Wi-Fi card patch... OK Updating kext caches... OK Updating system caches... OK`

[thweedman]

It seems Catalina has a new set of file restrictions we must overcome, running sudo mount -uw / will allow the file permissions needed to install this patch. I also allowed terminal full disk access under "System Preferences -> Security & Privacy -> Privacy ->Full Disk Access". I tried granting these permissions to the CAT app but it still would not run.

`--- Initiating system compatiblity check ---

--- Hardware/OS checks --- Verifying Continuity status... OK. OS X reports Continuity as active Verifying Mac model reference... OK. Known compatible Mac Model detected: MacBookPro8,1 Verifying Mac board-id... OK. Long board id detected: Mac-94245B3640C91C81 Verifying OS X version... Warning: This tool wasn't tested with OS X versions higher than 10.10. Detected OS version: 10.15.1 Verifying Wi-Fi hardware... OK. A Broadcom AirPort card is active, and is using the Continuity compatible Brcm4360 kext Verifying AWDL status... OK. An AWDL interface is up, Wi-Fi is ready for Continuity Verifying Bluetooth hardware... OK. The internal Bluetooth card is active Verifying Bluetooth version... OK. Bluetooth 4.0 detected Verifying Bluetooth features... OK. Bluetooth features are Continuity compliant Verifying Bluetooth firmware... OK. Bluetooth firmware version: v156 c5914 Verifying Login Item... OK. Login item for Auto Continuity Check is set.

--- Modifications check --- Verifying OS kext protection... OK. Kext developer mode is already active Verifying kexts readability... OK. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth kexts were found and could be read ATTENTION: run in sandbox Verifying Wi-Fi whitelist status... OK. The whitelist is correctly patched with your board-id Checking legacy kext... OK. Not using legacy kext. Verifying BT4 dongles compatibility... OK. Compatibility with BT4 USB dongles is not enabled, this tool can fix this if a dongle is plugged in Verifying old Wi-Fi kext presence... OK. Legacy Wi-Fi driver Brcm4331 was already removed Verifying legacy Wi-Fi card patch... OK. The patch is already done. Old Broadcom Wi-Fi cards may work. --- Modifications check ---`

[lberrezoug]

Hello everyone, there I finally have got the handoff under Catalina macos, I just followed the instructions on the link below I hope it will help you.

Have a nice day,

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/macos-10-15-catalina-on-unsupported-macs.2183772/post-27891116

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/macos-10-15-catalina-on-unsupported-macs.2183772/post-27895873

[fsikhtian]

FWIW, I too followed the link Iberrezoug posted and it worked for me too on MacBook Pro 8,3. Just to be clear, you don't have to use Continuity Activation tool at all under this method. When I tried CAT as before it would make my machine unbootable.

[Aquenon]

Another limited success for Iberrezoug's procedure on a MacBookPro8,3.

Messages and phone calls work. AirDrop also works albeit with a couple of hiccups (See below).

But Handoff, SideCar, Universal Clipboard, Markup, Sketch, Camera, Auto Unlock with Apple Watch, Apple Pay, and Instant Hotspot? None of those work at all.

Still, it's a start.

AirDrop hiccups:

1. AirDrop for iDevices It is one way. Can send to iDevices but not from them to my Mac.
2. Must have both iDevices unlocked and ready. I pull up AirDrop on my iPhone and then my Mac suddenly shows my iPad. Pulling up AirDrop on my iPad shows the iPhone. From there I can transfer to either with no problem. It's a little wonky with the iDevices. But it works

[lberrezoug]

FWIW, I too followed the link Iberrezoug posted and it worked for me too on MacBook Pro 8,3. Just to be clear, you don't have to use Continuity Activation tool at all under this method. When I tried CAT as before it would make my machine unbootable.

Hi fsikhtian, Yes because kext has already been patched, thank you for clarifying it ;)

[lberrezoug]

Another limited success for Iberrezoug's procedure on a MacBookPro8,3.

Messages and phone calls work. AirDrop also works albeit with a couple of hiccups (See below).

But Handoff, SideCar, Universal Clipboard, Markup, Sketch, Camera, Auto Unlock with Apple Watch, Apple Pay, and Instant Hotspot? None of those work at all.

Still, it's a start.

AirDrop hiccups:

1. AirDrop for iDevices It is one way. Can send to iDevices but not from them to my Mac.
2. Must have both iDevices unlocked and ready. I pull up AirDrop on my iPhone and then my Mac suddenly shows my iPad. Pulling up AirDrop on my iPad shows the iPhone. From there I can transfer to either with no problem. It's a little wonky with the iDevices. But it works

Hi Tucker28, I just read your comment on the forum:)

from what I know, to have Auto Unlock with Apple Watch you need to have a WiFI AC card coupled with a bluetooth 4.0 and normally this doesn't exist for the old model anyway I'm not found for my macbookpro8,2 For Camera , Universal Clipboard it works perfectly for me and for the others, I don't know because I don't have an iPad.

I hope I answered your question.

here is my configuration in case MacBook Pro early 2011 with new wireless card BCM94331PCIEBT4CAX

[lberrezoug]

@Tucker28

To add an 802.11ac card you need a specific adapter as you can see on the link below

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/macbook-pro-802-11ac-upgrade.1521466/page-4#post-18438927

I prefer to use an application like Unlox or nearlock :)

[lberrezoug]

@Tucker28

I'm saving you time on the research ;P. https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/802-11ac-and-bt-4-2-are-here-for-unibody-mbps.2171056/

[Aquenon]

Thanks. I'll check into it. That new 16" looks nice, but I'd love to extend this 17" a few years longer =)

[smilingpoplar]

@lberrezoug I have the exact same 2011 MBP & updated wifi card. Following the link, the airdrop & handoff work for me now. Thanks for sharing.

[PeterHolbrook]

At long last, I updated to Catalina today from the latest release of Mojave on a Mac Pro 5,1 with a modern and compatible Bluetooth/Wi-Fi card. Continuity/Handoff/Watch, etc., were working just fine in Mojave. Now, in Catalina, everything works as well, except for Mac unlocking using Apple Watch. The watch works fine as a substitute of password entering, but it won't unlock the Mac itself. I had to manually edit /System/Library/Extensions/IO80211Family.kext/Contents/PlugIns/AirPortBrcm4360.kext/Contents/MacOS/AirPortBrcm4360 and /System/Library/Extensions/IO80211Family.kext/Contents/PlugIns/AirPortBrcm4360.kext/Contents/MacOS/AirPortBrcm4360, in an attempt to solve the shortcoming affecting the watch, and both files seem to be fine now, but, even so, it doesn't work. Any suggestions? Manual instructions would be fine.

EDIT: After several days of research, I'm inclined to think the problem has nothing to do with the Continuity Activation Tool or with any faulty settings on the Apple Watch, the iPhone or the Mac, but exclusively with Catalina (and soon with Big Sur), which seems to demand Bluetooth 4.2 (not 4.0) for the auto unlock feature, although Bluetooth 4.0 continues to be fine for all the other features. If this is so, it would appear that the Apple Broadcom Bcm94360cd - 802.11 A/B/G/N/AC + Bluetooth 4.0 module doesn't satisfy all the necessary expectations under Catalina. Now something like the Broadcom BCM943602CDP, with Bluetooth 4.2, is required (for a cMP).

[TL2254]

I have a 8,2 late 2011 MBP and have updated the Wifi Card: BCM94331PCIEBT4CAX. The macos is patched OCLP Ventura. SIP is disabled as indicated in SYstem info, but I cannot run the CAT with patched Ventura. Interestingly, I've tested the card with a clean High Sierra installation, and CAT works flawlessly, confirming that the hardware Wi-Fi card BCM94331PCIEBT4CAX is functioning properly. Any assistance you can provide on how to successfully run CAT on the patched Ventura would be greatly appreciated.