Booting to macOS Installer with Touchscreen Only on Hackintosh

SOLUTIONS:

Target Audience: Intermediate Hackintosh Users

Solution Overview:

Booting into the macOS installer using only a touchscreen on a Hackintosh setup can be challenging, especially with limited USB ports. This guide provides a method to achieve this without needing a physical keyboard and without using OpenCanopy.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Prepare Your Bootable USB Drive:

   • Create a macOS installer USB using a different computer, if you haven't already.
   • Ensure the USB drive has the necessary bootloader (Clover or OpenCore) and macOS installation files.

2. Configure Bootloader for Touchscreen:

   • Access the bootloader configuration file (e.g., config.plist for Clover or OpenCore).
   • Enable any touchscreen support options available. For OpenCore, this might involve enabling certain drivers or kexts that support touch input.

3. Modify Bootloader GUI Settings:

   • Adjust GUI settings to enlarge buttons or simplify the interface for easier touch navigation.
   • If using Clover, modify the theme settings in the config.plist file to select a theme with larger icons.

4. Enable Automatic Boot to Installer:

   • Set the macOS installer as the default boot option with a timeout. This way, the system will automatically boot into the installer after the timeout period.
   • In the config.plist, set DefaultVolume to the name of your installer USB and Timeout to a reasonable value (e.g., 10 seconds).

5. Use an OTG Adapter for Additional USB Ports:

   • Since you have only one USB port, consider using a USB OTG (On-The-Go) adapter to expand your USB capabilities.
   • This allows you to connect both the installer USB and an additional input device if needed.

6. Test and Troubleshoot:

   • Test the setup by booting your Hackintosh with the prepared USB drive.
   • If the touchscreen is not responding, you may need to connect a USB keyboard or mouse temporarily via an OTG adapter to navigate the bootloader.

Additional Tips:

• Backup Your Data: Always back up important data before attempting to install or modify the OS.
• Check Compatibility: Ensure that your device's touchscreen is compatible with macOS and that the necessary drivers are included in your bootloader configuration.

Feedback and Updates:

• Request Assistance: If you encounter issues, use the comments section on the iATKOS blog for help.
• Stay Informed: Regularly visit the iATKOS blog for the latest guides and Hackintosh tips.

Disclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes. iATKOS and the author are not responsible for any damages resulting from following this guide.