OpenIntelWireless

# Frequently Asked Questions

# Installation

# What's the difference between Alpha Prerelease and Latest Release

  • Alpha Prerelease

A testing version is automatically compiled by GitHub actions based on the latest source code on the master branch. Because of that, the Alpha Prerelease Kexts are never tested, and we do not guarantee their availability, usability, and stability.

It is NOT recommended for daily use

  • Latest Release

An official stable version. This version is usually released after major new features are implemented tested.

It is recommended for daily use

# Which Kext Should I Use

Visit Installation for more information

# Is My Card Supported

Visit Compatibility for more information

# Usage

# Known Limitation of AirportItlwm.kext

  • Handoff and Universal Clipboard are the only supported Continuity features (opens new window).
  • Instant HotSpot from iPhone can be recognized but may likely fail to connect.
    • Workaround: use itlwm.kext with HeliPort.
  • Apple Bluetooth peripherals may fail to connect.
    • Workaround: use itlwm.kext with HeliPort or disable iCloud.
  • Unable to connect to Hidden Networks.

# How can I connect my Wi-Fi with itlwm.kext

  • By HeliPort (Recommended)
  • Using Info.plist inside itlwm.kext

# How can I disconnect my Wi-Fi with itlwm.kext

Use HeliPort's Options Menu.

# HeliPort shows itlwm not loaded

Visit our Troubleshooting page for more info

# Nothing appears in System Preferences

Visit our Troubleshooting page for more info

# How can I change the country code from ZZ to a specific country

Adapters that don't report country codes (iwn, 7000 & 8000 series) can use itlwm_cc=COUNTRY_CODE (opens new window) to select them

# Dual-Boot with Windows

Read this explanation (opens new window) from Linux for more info.

# About Platform Noise

Read this explanation (opens new window) from Linux for more info.

# Can I use Bluetooth with Wi-Fi

2.4 GHz Yes, but it will cause performance issues.

5 GHz Yes.

Read this explanation (opens new window) from Linux for more info.

# Performance SUCKS

Both itlwm and AirportItlwm only support 802.11n with 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz at 20 MHz with Rx aggregation enabled.

Using itlwm with an AC 9560 with

  • 500 Mbps / 100 Mbps network plan
  • ASUS TUF-AX3000 router
  • Connected on 5 GHz 20 MHz

Gives me 90 Mbps / 28 Mbps (opens new window)

On Windows and Linux, I get a full speed of 540 Mbps / 90 Mbps with 802.11AC, 5 GHz, 160 MHz

Service Carrier provides 20% margin for Download

It is already ideal for daily usage. Including watching 4K Netflix and YouTube

If you are not satisfied with its performance, consider using Ethernet or Bcrm Cards.

# Why does my adaptor turn back on after a sleep-wake cycle

By default, when the system boots, itlwm starts to initialize the Wi-Fi card and starts connecting to the Internet. This process can all be done before the system boots into user space and launches HeliPort. So, even if HeliPort has stored a property that indicates whether the card should be on/off by default and immediately adjusts itlwm's behavior, your card has been turned on anyway before then.

Currently, we have no way to make itlwm not power on the card by default on boot. If it's designed to be off by default and requires HeliPort to power it on, users may have to wait longer until the card is ready and it's not friendly for users that don't use HeliPort but rely on itlwm's Plist.

We might use NVRAM to implement such a feature, but we will not work on it soon, contributions are always welcome.

# Features

# Is it a replacement of native supported Broadcom Cards

NO

# Is it a replacement of USB Wi-Fi Dongles

Yes, 100%

# Why my adapter shows up as Ethernet in System Preferences instead of Wi-Fi

itlwm.kext uses Apple's IOEthernet rather than IO80211.

Spoofing into Ethernet does not affect performance.

AirportItlwm enables the native menu.

# Does it support connecting to Hidden Wi-Fi networks

  • itlwm.kext: Yes
  • AirportItlwm.kext: No

# Does it support WPA2/3-Enterprise or 802.1X

  • itlwm.kext: No
  • AirportItlwm.kext: Yes

Credit: usr-sse2 (opens new window)

# Does it support Location Services

Supported on AirportItlwm.kext

itlwm.kext reports the Wi-Fi card as an Ethernet NIC to macOS, rather than Wi-Fi. This means that Find My does not work, since it relies on Wi-Fi data (like what networks are around you). This likely means that other location services don't work as well.

Credit 1Revenger1 (opens new window)

# Does it support Apple's Continuity Framework (Airdrop, HandOff)

Currently, only Handoff and Universal Clipboard works with AirportItlwm, other features are not supported.

# Can I use it to create a Personal Hotspot

No

# Can I monitor Upload and Download speed

Yes, but you must add a network bridge on itlwm's network interface.

# Does it support 40/80/160 MHz

40MHz will be implemented in v1.3.0

# Does it support 802.11ac and 802.11ax

Not yet, todo.

# Design

# Why not port code directly from Linux but OpenBSD

The amount of code from Linux is enormous. It will likely take forever to finish such a project with our current manpower.

← Troubleshooting →