How to Manually Install Kernel Extensions in Mac OS X
Jan 12, 2012 - 4 Comments
Can’t use the easy Kext Drop app for some reason to install a kernel extension? Installing kexts (kernel extensions) manually is always an option and it’s not too difficult if you’re comfortable with the command line:
- Copy the .kext file(s) to /System/Library/Extensions/
- Open the Terminal and type:
-
cd /System/Library/Extensions/ - Type the following commands at the terminal, replacing the kext name with the one you are installing
- Now remove the kext caches:
- Reboot the Mac
sudo chmod -R 755 kextfile.kext
sudo chown -R root:wheel kextfile.kext
sudo rm -R Extensions.kextcache
sudo rm -R Extensions.mkext
The kernel extension should now be installed.
As you can see this is more time consuming than the alternative, so ideally you’ll just one of the installer applications instead.
Thanks to Nick for the tip
This is true unless the kexts are for hackintosh, in which case they are stored at
“/Extra/Extensions/”
Instead of the System location
Actually, the latest version of Multibeast now installs all kexts to /System/Library/Extensions.
I’ll stick with kext helper but thanks anyway
just use a nice hackintosh tool, this also works on real macs: Kextutility or Kext Wizard.