I have a way to run Linux on the 16" MBP

[sogilbert]

If you could somehow sign a Linux bootloader with the Apple Root CA key, then you could effectively get through the T2 chip.


EDIT: Guess what I just found: https://www.apple.com/certificateauthority/

 

[jaytv111]

I believe they only provide public keys. That means you can confirm something is signed by Apple, but you cannot sign something with their certificate (Apple keeps the private keys under lock and key, otherwise people could create malicious software and make it all appear like it came from Apple, where it's really virus-laden malware that'll harvest all your data and steal you credit card numbers, etc).

Private key: I generate something and sign it with the private key. Public key: I confirm it was signed by the author.

The T2's problem with Linux is that they aren't trusting Linux distributors' CA or Linux distributors aren't using signing so it won't accept software not signed. I've heard you can boot but not access the built in SSD to install Linux. Alternatively, you can just use virtualization (so you're running MacOS but a Linux virtual machine can run inside MacOS so you have access to the software you need, but it's not perfect, it slows things down, MacOS doesn't have pass-through GPU capability, etc).

 

[sogilbert]

Sorry, my bad.

 

[hajime]

I just gave up on the MBP with T2 chip.

 

[Lalatoon]

In my case its not the T2 that I am having a problem with. Its the keyboard and trackpad. I don't have keyboard and trackpad functionality when I boot TailsOS. I tried booting my external NVMe SSD with Linux installed and it did boot however the CPU gets very hot - Macbook Air 2018.

If you really need Linux and dont want to use VM then I think the best option is to install your linux distro into an external SSD and boot from there. I don't have problem with that with any of my PC machines. I like having a portable linux system so that i can go to sites without bringing with me a laptop only an external m.2 ssd I will just borrow any pc and boot my linux system

 

[maflynn]

If you really need Linux and dont want to use VM then I think the best option is to install your linux distro into an external SSD and boot from there.

Given the speeds of the thunderbolt interface, you certainly can get a very fast external drive. I think this is a feasible and viable solution

 

[Lalatoon]

Given the speeds of the thunderbolt interface, you certainly can get a very fast external drive. I think this is a feasible and viable solution

Ive been using Linux on external drive starting 2015 and its no problem even with only USB 3.0 ports. I use it for coding and developing productivity Android apps. Just make sure its SSD not HDD. I tried using HDD its a pain... too slow. Well its easy for PC laptops just plug-it in and boot it up and you have everything - sounds, wifi, bluetooth, trackpad, even keyboard backlight but its a little bit tricky with Macbooks. You have to work for it The problem started with Macbook that has T2 Chips because Keyboard and trackpad on those versions are not USB but SPI. However, there are workarounds you can find in GitHub. But I do remember booting into an old Macbook Air, I cant remember what model it was. That was actually the reason why I bought a Macbook Air 2018 early this year, thinking that it will be a straight forward process but to my surprise life is not that easy

 

[hajime]

In my case its not the T2 that I am having a problem with. Its the keyboard and trackpad. I don't have keyboard and trackpad functionality when I boot TailsOS. I tried booting my external NVMe SSD with Linux installed and it did boot however the CPU gets very hot - Macbook Air 2018.

If you really need Linux and dont want to use VM then I think the best option is to install your linux distro into an external SSD and boot from there. I don't have problem with that with any of my PC machines. I like having a portable linux system so that i can go to sites without bringing with me a laptop only an external m.2 ssd I will just borrow any pc and boot my linux system

I think I read that somebody has solved the keyboard and trackpad problems. There are some files posted on GitHub.