Wiki source code of Install Garuda Linux (Arch) on a Mac
Version 1.1 by Käthe von Hai on 2026/02/20 07:50
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1.1 | 1 | ~====== Installing Garuda Linux (Arch-based) on Apple T2 Macs ====== |
| 2 | |||
| 3 | This guide explains how to use ~*~*t2archinstall~*~* to install ~*~*Garuda Linux~*~* (or any Arch-based distribution) on Apple T2 Macs. | ||
| 4 | |||
| 5 | The installer automates essential kernel and driver setup required for T2 hardware, including components like ~*~*t2fanrd~*~*. | ||
| 6 | |||
| 7 | ~-~-- | ||
| 8 | |||
| 9 | ~===== Overview ===== | ||
| 10 | |||
| 11 | To install Garuda on a T2 Mac: | ||
| 12 | |||
| 13 | ~* Boot from a ~*~*T2-compatible live ISO~*~* | ||
| 14 | ~* Connect to Wi-Fi | ||
| 15 | ~* Run the ~*~*t2archinstall~*~* script from the terminal | ||
| 16 | |||
| 17 | ~-~-- | ||
| 18 | |||
| 19 | ~===== Pre-Installation Steps (Essential) ===== | ||
| 20 | |||
| 21 | ~==== Disable Secure Boot ==== | ||
| 22 | |||
| 23 | ~1. Boot into ~*~*macOS Recovery~*~* by holding ~*~*Command (⌘) + R~*~* | ||
| 24 | 2. Open ~*~*Utilities → Startup Security Utility~*~* | ||
| 25 | 3. Set: | ||
| 26 | |||
| 27 | ~* ~*~*Secure Boot:~*~* No Security | ||
| 28 | ~* ~*~*Allowed Boot Media:~*~* Allow booting from external media | ||
| 29 | |||
| 30 | ~-~-- | ||
| 31 | |||
| 32 | ~==== Partition the Drive ==== | ||
| 33 | |||
| 34 | ~1. Boot into macOS | ||
| 35 | 2. Open ~*~*Disk Utility~*~* | ||
| 36 | 3. Resize the internal disk to create ~*~*free space~*~* for Garuda Linux | ||
| 37 | (Do not format it yet) | ||
| 38 | |||
| 39 | ~-~-- | ||
| 40 | |||
| 41 | ~==== Prepare the Installation USB ==== | ||
| 42 | |||
| 43 | ~1. Download the ~*~*Garuda Linux ISO~*~* | ||
| 44 | 2. Flash it to a USB drive | ||
| 45 | Recommended tool: ~*~*BalenaEtcher~*~* | ||
| 46 | |||
| 47 | ~-~-- | ||
| 48 | |||
| 49 | ~==== Boot From the USB ==== | ||
| 50 | |||
| 51 | ~1. Plug in the USB drive | ||
| 52 | 2. Reboot and hold the ~*~*Option (⌥)~*~* key | ||
| 53 | 3. Select the orange ~*~*EFI Boot~*~* icon | ||
| 54 | |||
| 55 | ~-~-- | ||
| 56 | |||
| 57 | ~===== Running T2ArchInstall ===== | ||
| 58 | |||
| 59 | ~==== Open a Terminal ==== | ||
| 60 | |||
| 61 | Once the Garuda live environment loads, open a terminal window. | ||
| 62 | |||
| 63 | ~-~-- | ||
| 64 | |||
| 65 | ~==== Run the Installer (Recommended) ==== | ||
| 66 | |||
| 67 | Execute the following command: | ||
| 68 | |||
| 69 | <code bash> | ||
| 70 | curl -fsSL https:~/~/sls.re/t2arch.sh | sh && ./t2archinstall.py | ||
| 71 | </code> | ||
| 72 | |||
| 73 | This will download and start the ~*~*t2archinstall~*~* menu-based installer. | ||
| 74 | |||
| 75 | ~-~-- | ||
| 76 | |||
| 77 | ~==== Alternative Manual Method ==== | ||
| 78 | |||
| 79 | If the one-liner fails, run the following commands manually: | ||
| 80 | |||
| 81 | <code bash> | ||
| 82 | pacman -Sy archlinux-keyring | ||
| 83 | pacman -Sy python-textual | ||
| 84 | curl -o t2archinstall.py https:~/~/github.com/slsrepo/t2archinstall/raw/refs/heads/main/t2archinstall.py | ||
| 85 | chmod +x t2archinstall.py | ||
| 86 | ./t2archinstall.py | ||
| 87 | </code> | ||
| 88 | |||
| 89 | ~-~-- | ||
| 90 | |||
| 91 | ~==== Configure the Installer ==== | ||
| 92 | |||
| 93 | Follow the on-screen menus to: | ||
| 94 | |||
| 95 | ~* Partition the disk | ||
| 96 | ~* Create a user | ||
| 97 | ~* Select T2-specific kernels and drivers | ||
| 98 | ~* Install the base system | ||
| 99 | |||
| 100 | The installer automatically handles most T2 hardware requirements. | ||
| 101 | |||
| 102 | ~-~-- | ||
| 103 | |||
| 104 | ~===== Post-Installation Notes ===== | ||
| 105 | |||
| 106 | ~==== Input Devices Not Working During Install ==== | ||
| 107 | |||
| 108 | If the ~*~*keyboard or trackpad~*~* does not work during installation: | ||
| 109 | |||
| 110 | ~* Use an external USB keyboard and mouse | ||
| 111 | ~* Or add the following kernel parameters: | ||
| 112 | |||
| 113 | ~* `noapic irqpoll acpi=force` | ||
| 114 | |||
| 115 | ~-~-- | ||
| 116 | |||
| 117 | ~==== Install Fan Control Driver ==== | ||
| 118 | |||
| 119 | After installation, ensure the T2 fan driver is installed: | ||
| 120 | |||
| 121 | <code bash> | ||
| 122 | sudo pacman -S t2fanrd | ||
| 123 | </code> | ||
| 124 | |||
| 125 | This is required for proper thermal management on T2 Macs. | ||
| 126 | |||
| 127 | ~-~-- | ||
| 128 | |||
| 129 | ~===== Done 🎉 ===== | ||
| 130 | |||
| 131 | Your Garuda Linux system should now be fully functional on Apple T2 hardware. |