AppleALC

AppleALC

by Acidanthera
Audio Lilu Plugin

Native macOS HD audio for unsupported codecs - Lilu plugin for audio support

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AppleALC

Note

This kext requires Lilu to be installed and loaded first.

AppleALC is a Lilu plugin that enables native macOS HD audio for unsupported audio codecs. It provides a clean, non-invasive way to get audio working on Hackintosh systems without modifying system files.

Overview

AppleALC injects audio layout IDs and patches AppleHDA to support various audio codecs that aren’t natively supported by macOS. It’s the recommended solution for audio on modern Hackintosh builds.

Features

  • Native Audio Support: Enables native macOS audio without VoodooHDA
  • Wide Codec Support: Supports hundreds of audio codecs
  • Layout Injection: Injects appropriate layout IDs for your codec
  • Non-Invasive: Doesn’t modify system files
  • Easy Configuration: Simple boot argument or device property setup

Installation

Prerequisites

  • Lilu 1.6.0 or later (must be loaded before AppleALC)
  • OpenCore bootloader (0.7.0 or later)
  • macOS 10.11 or later

Steps

  1. Download the latest release from GitHub
  2. Extract the downloaded ZIP file
  3. Copy AppleALC.kext to your EFI partition: EFI/OC/Kexts/
  4. Add the kext to your config.plist under Kernel > Add
  5. Ensure Lilu is loaded before AppleALC
  6. Add the appropriate layout ID (see Configuration section)
  7. Reboot your system

config.plist Entry

<dict>
    <key>BundlePath</key>
    <string>AppleALC.kext</string>
    <key>Comment</key>
    <string>Audio support</string>
    <key>Enabled</key>
    <true/>
    <key>ExecutablePath</key>
    <string>Contents/MacOS/AppleALC</string>
    <key>MaxKernel</key>
    <string></string>
    <key>MinKernel</key>
    <string></string>
    <key>PlistPath</key>
    <string>Contents/Info.plist</string>
</dict>

Configuration

Finding Your Layout ID

  1. Identify your audio codec using a tool like CPU-Z or by checking your motherboard specs
  2. Check the supported codecs list
  3. Note the available layout IDs for your codec
  4. Try each layout ID until you find one that works

Add the following boot argument to your config.plist:

alcid=X

Replace X with your layout ID (e.g., alcid=1, alcid=7, alcid=11, etc.)

Method 2: Device Properties

Add this to your config.plist under DeviceProperties > Add:

<key>PciRoot(0x0)/Pci(0x1F,0x3)</key>
<dict>
    <key>layout-id</key>
    <data>AwAAAA==</data>
</dict>

Replace AwAAAA== with the base64-encoded layout ID:

  • Layout 1: AQAAAA==
  • Layout 7: BwAAAA==
  • Layout 11: CwAAAA==

Common Layout IDs

Here are some common layout IDs for popular codecs:

Realtek ALC887

  • Layout 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7

Realtek ALC892

  • Layout 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 11, 13, 28, 92, 93, 98, 99, 100

Realtek ALC1150

  • Layout 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 11

Realtek ALC1220

  • Layout 1, 2, 5, 7, 11, 13, 15, 16, 21, 27, 28, 29, 34

Conexant CX20751/2

  • Layout 3, 13, 21, 23

Troubleshooting

No audio output

  • Verify Lilu is loaded before AppleALC
  • Check that your codec is supported
  • Try different layout IDs
  • Ensure AppleHDA is not disabled
  • Check that audio is not muted in System Preferences

Audio works but microphone doesn’t

  • Try a different layout ID
  • Check microphone permissions in System Preferences
  • Verify input device is selected in Sound preferences
  • Some layouts only support certain input configurations

Distorted or crackling audio

  • Try a different layout ID
  • Check for kext conflicts
  • Ensure your audio device is properly configured in UEFI
  • Try disabling audio enhancements

AppleALC not loading

  • Verify the kext is in EFI/OC/Kexts/
  • Check that it’s added to config.plist
  • Ensure Lilu is loaded first
  • Check for typos in boot arguments or device properties

FAQ

How do I find my audio codec?

Use a tool like CPU-Z on Windows, or check your motherboard’s specifications. You can also use Hackintool in macOS.

Can I use AppleALC with VoodooHDA?

No, you should use either AppleALC or VoodooHDA, not both. AppleALC is preferred for better quality and native support.

What if my codec isn’t supported?

Check the supported codecs list. If your codec isn’t listed, you can request support on the GitHub repository or use VoodooHDA as a fallback.

Do I need to patch AppleHDA?

No, AppleALC handles all the patching automatically. You don’t need to manually patch any system files.

Resources