Asus TUF F15 Hackintosh Installation Guide

Installing macOS (iATKOS Project) on an Asus TUF F15 with a 10th Gen Intel Core i5-10300H and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 can be quite challenging due to hardware compatibility issues, especially with the NVIDIA GPU. Here's a guide to give you an overview of what to expect and how to proceed:

Guide Step by Step:

1. Hardware Compatibility Check:

   • The biggest challenge is the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 GPU, as modern NVIDIA GPUs are not supported in macOS versions beyond High Sierra (10.13.6) due to the lack of compatible drivers.
   • Your Intel Core i5-10300H Processor should be compatible, but you will likely need to rely on its integrated graphics for macOS.

2. Creating a Bootable Installer:

   • Obtain a copy of macOS (preferably from a legitimate source such as the Mac App Store). Choose a version that is compatible with your hardware. For newer Intel CPUs, Success' href='/2020/12/install-macos-mojave-on-supported-pc.html'>Mojave (10.14) to Big Sur (11) are commonly used.
   • Use a tool like Balena Etcher or DiskMaker X to create a bootable macOS installer on a USB drive.

3. EFI Folder and Bootloader:

   • You will need a customized EFI folder for your specific hardware. This includes a bootloader (like OpenCore or Clover), necessary kexts (kernel extensions), and SSDT patches.
   • Common kexts include VirtualSMC, Lilu, WhateverGreen (for integrated Intel graphics), and appropriate network and audio kexts.

4. BIOS Settings:

   • Adjust your BIOS settings for Hackintosh compatibility. This usually includes disabling Secure Boot, enabling AHCI, and setting the DVMT pre-allocated memory to 64MB or higher.

5. Installation Process:

   • Boot from your USB drive and follow the standard macOS installation process.
   • During installation, your dedicated NVIDIA GPU will not be used. Ensure that your integrated Intel graphics are properly configured in your EFI settings.

6. Post-Installation:

   • After installation, you’ll need to transfer the EFI folder from your USB installer to the EFI partition of your macOS drive.
   • Perform post-installation tweaks, such as configuring audio, network, and power management settings.

7. Troubleshooting:

   • Be prepared for potential issues related to sleep/wake functionality, battery management, and other laptop-specific features.
   • You may need to adjust kexts or ACPI patches based on the behavior of your system.

Important Considerations:

• NVIDIA GPU Limitation: The dedicated NVIDIA GPU will not work in macOS. You’ll be limited to the integrated Intel graphics.

• No Native Wi-Fi/Bluetooth: If your laptop has a non-compatible Wi-Fi/Bluetooth card, you might need to replace it with a macOS-compatible one or use external dongles.

• No Guaranteed Stability: Hackintosh on laptops, especially on non-Apple optimized hardware like Asus TUF F15, often faces stability and functionality issues.

• Seek Community Help: Platforms like Tonymacx86, Reddit's r/Hackintosh, and InsanelyMac are valuable resources. You might find others who have attempted similar installations.

• Legal and Ethical Considerations: Remember that installing macOS on non-Apple hardware violates Apple's End User License Agreement (EULA).

Given the complexity and potential issues with such an installation, proceed only if you're comfortable with advanced troubleshooting and have a good understanding of Hackintosh systems. If you're new to this, seeking help from experienced community members can be very beneficial.