OpenCore EFI for Lenovo ThinkPad T480s (i5-8350U, Intel UHD 620) with Touchscreen
Tahoe Update: I've upgraded to macOS Tahoe. EFI v5 is my last Sequoia release. If staying on Sequoia, consider switching SMBIOS to
MacBookPro16,3for better power/performance management.
Get the latest EFI from Releases
Use GenSMBIOS:
- Ventura/Sequoia:
MacBookPro16,3 - Tahoe:
MacBookPro16,4
Open config.plist with ProperTree and fill in:
| Key | Value |
|---|---|
PlatformInfo > Generic > SystemSerialNumber |
Serial |
PlatformInfo > Generic > MLB |
Board Serial |
PlatformInfo > Generic > SystemUUID |
SmUUID |
See BIOS Settings section below.
Ventura / Sequoia (OTA Upgrade)
- Copy EFI to USB drive
- Boot and install macOS
- After install, copy EFI to internal drive's EFI partition
Tahoe (Clean Install via Recovery)
- Download recovery image:
python3 ./macrecovery.py -b Mac-CFF7D910A743CAAF -m 00000000000000000 -os latest download- Copy
com.apple.recovery.bootfolder to USB alongside EFI - Boot to recovery and install (takes ~2 hours depending on network and disk speed)
See Post-Install Guide for:
- Undervolting setup
- Display scaling (HiDPI / BetterDisplay)
- YogaSMC for Fn keys
- WiFi patching (AirportItlwm or itlwm)
- Airdrop/Continuity fix for itlwm users
- Etc...
Need help? Open an Issue
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Model | Lenovo ThinkPad T480s |
| CPU | Intel Core i5-8350U (4C/8T, 1.9GHz, Turbo 3.6GHz) |
| iGPU | Intel UHD Graphics 620 |
| RAM | 2×8GB DDR4 2400MHz |
| SSD | SanDisk X400 M.2 2280 256GB |
| Display | eDP 14" FHD 1920×1080 with Touchscreen |
| Audio | Realtek ALC257 |
| Ethernet | Intel I219-LM |
| WiFi/BT | Intel Wireless-AC 8265/8275 |
| Camera | 720p HD |
| Trackpad | Synaptics Precision (PS2/SMBus) |
| Menu Path | Setting |
|---|---|
| Config > USB > Always On USB | Disabled |
| Config > Keyboard/Mouse > Trackpoint | Enabled |
| Config > Keyboard/Mouse > Trackpad | Enabled |
| Config > Keyboard/Mouse > Fn and Ctrl Key swap | Disabled |
| Config > Keyboard/Mouse > Fn Sticky Key | Disabled |
| Config > Keyboard/Mouse > F1-F12 as Primary Function | Disabled |
| Config > Display > Boot Display Device | Thinkpad LCD |
| Config > Display > Shared Display Priority | USB Type-C |
| Config > Display > Total Graphics Memory | 512MB |
| Config > Power > Intel SpeedStep Technology | Enabled |
| Config > CPU > Intel Hyper-Threading Technology | Enabled |
| Config > Thunderbolt 3 > Thunderbolt BIOS Assist Mode | Enabled |
| Config > Thunderbolt 3 > Security Level | No Security |
| Config > Thunderbolt 3 > Wake by Thunderbolt 3 | Enabled |
| Config > Thunderbolt 3 > Support in Pre Boot Environment | Enabled |
| Security > Security Chip | Disabled |
| Security > Memory Protection > Execution Prevention | Enabled |
| Security > Virtualization > Intel VT | Enabled |
| Security > Virtualization > Intel VT-d | Enabled |
| Security > I/O Port Access > Fingerprint Reader | Disabled |
| Security > Secure Boot | Disabled |
| Security > Intel SGX | Software Controlled |
| Security > Device Guard | Disabled |
| Boot > UEFI/Legacy Boot | Both |
| Boot > UEFI/Legacy Boot Priority | Legacy First |
| Boot > CSM Support | Yes |
✅ Working
| Feature | Notes |
|---|---|
| QE/CI & Hardware Acceleration | IQSV fully supported |
| Battery Management | Accurate percentage |
| CPU Power Management | Performance optimized |
| USB-A & USB-C | Including power delivery |
| HDMI Output | Video & audio |
| Audio | Speaker, internal mic, 3.5mm jack |
| WiFi 5GHz & 2.4GHz | Supported with Airdrop, Continuity, etc. |
| Bluetooth | Fully functional |
| Ethernet | Intel I219-LM |
| Trackpad & Trackpoint | Full gesture support |
| Touchscreen | Same as Trackpad, multi-gesture support |
| Keyboard & Backlight | All keys working |
| Internal Webcam | 720p HD |
| Sleep/Wake | Stable |
| ThinkPad Fn Keys | F1-F12 via YogaSMC |
| iServices | iMessage, FaceTime, App Store, Find My |
| Apple Music | Lossless/Hi-Res supported |
| Airdrop | Send to iPhone only |
| Continuity/Handoff | Universal Clipboard, etc. |
| iPhone Camera | USB cable |
| Android USB Tethering | HoRNDIS included |
❌ Not Working
| Feature | Reason |
|---|---|
| Safari DRM / Apple TV+ | Requires dGPU (workaround: Chrome/Firefox with Widevine) |
| Fingerprint Reader | No macOS driver |
| Airdrop Receiver | Intel WiFi limitation |
| iPhone Camera (Wireless) | Requires native AirDrop |
🔍 Not Tested
- Thunderbolt 3 (no device to test)
- Card Reader (no memory card)
- WWAN (no card installed)
🐛 Known Issues
Color Banding
- Inaccurate color gradients in subtle shades (skies, dark scenes, UI gradients). This is a T480s stock panel limitation. Workaround by spoofing to Skylake platform-id works only on Monterey and older.
ELAN Microelectronics USB Touchscreen Variant Issue
- For ELAN Microelectronics USB Touchscreen variant on Tahoe, the touchscreen works but causes issues with wake from sleep, restart, and shutdown.
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
| ProperTree | Plist editor |
| GenSMBIOS | Generate SMBIOS |
| Hackintool | System info & patches |
| OCAuxiliaryTools | OpenCore config editor |
| MaciASL | ACPI editor |
| YogaSMC | ThinkPad Fn keys |
| VoltageShift | Undervolting |
| BetterDisplay | HiDPI & custom resolution |
| HiDPI | One-key HiDPI script |
| MyKextInstaller | Kext installer (Tahoe audio) |
| Python3 | For scripts |
| Homebrew | Package manager |
| Guide | Description |
|---|---|
| Post-Install Guide | Undervolting, WiFi, Display, YogaSMC, Airdrop fix, etc |
| Ventura Notes | Version-specific notes |
| Sequoia Notes | Version-specific notes |
| Tahoe Notes | Version-specific notes + clean install |
Click to expand gallery
Contributors:
- @aerhazu - Thunderbolt improvements
Projects & Tools:
This repository is licensed under the MIT License
OpenCore is licensed under the BSD 3-Clause License