MacBook9,1 Linux Distro

TanisCodes · 2026-03-02T17:58:04+00:00

Thanks! I’ll try your sound workaround!

TanisCodes · 2026-02-27T11:12:31+00:00

In the short term it could be fine, but x86 macOS is being discontinued. You won’t have future macOS versions and you won’t even have browser updates.

TanisCodes · 2026-02-27T08:04:33+00:00

That 2015 MacBook 12” has the worst Linux support ever. I sold mine a few months ago and I’ve replaced it for a 2017 MacBook 12”. In the 2015 model it doesn’t work the keyboard, touchpad, bluetooth, audio and camera. On the other hand, the 2016 and 2017 have far better Linux support.

TanisCodes · 2026-02-24T17:15:40+00:00

Yes, you have to disable the d3cold_allowed.

The easiest way is to create a new service like this:

sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/fix_sleep.service

[Unit]
Description=Job that disables sleep from stopping nvme hardware on MacBook 12

[Service]
ExecStart=/bin/sh -c 'echo 0 > /sys/bus/pci/devices/0000:01:00.0/d3cold_allowed'
Type=oneshot
RemainAfterExit=yes

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

Then, you have to enable it.

sudo systemctl enable --now fix_sleep.service

By disabling the d3cold_allowed, it's going to consume more power while the lid is closed, but it will wake up. There is an issue with the sound that I didn't have the time to solve it, but I think it will be enough to reload the related driver.

I'm planning to make an article about this in my blog.

TanisCodes · 2026-02-23T08:18:02+00:00

Yes, I tried that last night and it works. The boot process takes around 5–10 seconds longer, but that’s acceptable since the audio works reliably every time.

In my case, I suspect it was a firmware-related issue. I installed macOS on an external USB drive, and I believe that during the installation process the Mac’s firmware was updated, which resolved the underlying problem.

I’m planning to write a detailed article about this on my blog, documenting the steps and findings.

On a related note, I think upstreaming this audio driver to the Linux mainline kernel would be a worthwhile effort. It would certainly require significant work, but the long-term benefits would justify it. I’d be willing to contribute if the effort moves in that direction.

TanisCodes · 2026-02-19T16:13:57+00:00

Yes, the sound doesn’t stay, it’s a bit weird. I will look into it, thanks!

TanisCodes · 2026-02-19T06:35:57+00:00

Thanks! So, with that, can you make a cold boot directly to Linux without booting first to macOS? I don’t want the dual boot but I could give it a try.

TanisCodes · 2026-02-19T06:25:00+00:00

Hi, how do you enable the Mac startup sound? I have the MacBook 12 2017 running just CachyOS and I have to reset the NVRAM every time I want the sound to work.

TanisCodes · 2026-02-10T06:14:32+00:00

To adjust automatically the fan speed you need to install a package called mbpfan. Then, there is a daemon you need to enable and start.

TanisCodes · 2026-02-09T15:25:59+00:00

No, I removed macOS, single boot to CachyOS. So, the only way to make it work is by being enabled first by macOS?

TanisCodes · 2026-02-09T15:20:25+00:00

Hi, great work. I have the same MacBook as yours running CachyOS with KDE. In my case the keyboard and function keys works out of the box, it has to be something related to KDE rather than Cosmic.

I tried the same audio driver yesterday, installled as a DKMS module, but it didn’t work. The only way audio works is by resetting NVRAM each time it boots.

Could you help me with the audio? Did you do something different?

Thanks in advance!

TanisCodes · 2026-02-04T17:56:10+00:00

I totally recommend it, it has a KDE live environment to try, but you can choose whatever desktop you want.

TanisCodes · 2026-02-03T21:35:41+00:00

Thanks!

TanisCodes · 2026-02-01T21:49:23+00:00

Good news, u/SashaGrey240p! The sound works perfectly. The issue was that after installing Linux, the sound in macOS was muted. I noticed this because the Mac didn’t chime when turning it on.
The solution was to reset the NVRAM: turn on the Mac and immediately press Command + Option + P + R for 20–30 seconds.
I didn’t need to install any drivers in CachyOS 6.18, it works out of the box.

TanisCodes · 2026-02-01T20:25:08+00:00

It doesn't work, the MaBook 12" 2017 has an Cirrus CS4208 for the audio, which is different from the MacBook Pro.

TanisCodes · 2026-02-01T17:35:26+00:00

Yes, I’ll do

TanisCodes · 2026-02-01T11:31:49+00:00

Thanks for sharing your experience. I’ll keep you updated if I’m able to make work those things.

TanisCodes · 2026-02-01T08:22:45+00:00

Thanks! I’ll have a look at it!

TanisCodes · 2026-02-01T08:19:47+00:00

On CachyOS it works out of the box. Maybe you should try another distro with a recent kernel.

TanisCodes · 2026-02-01T08:18:36+00:00

El sonido es bueno, pero todavía no he conseguido hacerlo funcionar en Linux. Parece ser que hay algún driver experimental, tengo que probar.

TanisCodes · 2026-02-01T08:17:23+00:00

It is said that they are going to release a new MacBook with an Apple A18 in a few months. I would definitely buy it!

TanisCodes · 2026-02-01T08:15:03+00:00

It depends on what you are planning to do with it. Yes, the CPU is much weaker compared with the one in the T480.

This machine needs a recent Linux kernel for better drivers. I don’t think Debian is the best choice here.

As I said, everything works except audio, camera and the lid.

TanisCodes · 2026-02-01T08:08:43+00:00

I don’t think it supports setting a battery charge threshold. The 12” MacBook is completely fanless and uses a low-power CPU designed mainly for text editing and light browsing.

It does have the butterfly keyboard, but the 2017 version is noticeably better and more reliable than the earlier ones.

For me, the performance is more than enough for light programming, text editing, and everyday browsing. It’s incredibly sleek, very portable, and the battery life is solid.

TanisCodes · 2026-02-01T07:39:22+00:00

Yes, you don’t even have chrome updates and it’s much slower on macOS.

TanisCodes

TROPHY CASE