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Selecting Linux from OpenCore Bootpicker (OC 0.7.3+)

Booting Linux from OpenCore's Bootpicker has become a lot easier, since OpenCore 0.7.3 introduced a new dedicated driver for Linux called OpenLinuxBoot.efi.

Enabling Linux support in OpenCore

  1. Add the following Drivers to /EFI/OC/Drivers and your config.plist:
    • OpenLinuxBoot.efi (included in the OpenCore Package)
    • btrfs_x64.efi and/or
    • ext4_x64.efi based on the file system the chosen Linux Distribution uses (both included in OC Binary Data.zip)
  2. Enable UEFI/Quirks → RequestBootVarRouting
  3. Enable Misc/Boot → LauncherOption to prevent Linux bootloaders from taking over the first slot of the boot entries. Choose either/or:
    • Full: For AMI, Phoenix, and any other modern UEFI BIOS.
    • Short: For older types of firmware, typically from Insyde, that are unable to manage full device paths.
  4. If you are using Misc/Entries or Misc/BlessOverride to boot Linux, delete the entries.
  5. Save the config and reboot.
  6. Reset NVRAM.
  7. Linux should be available in the Boot Picker now.

Caution

Check the EFI/BOOT folder before rebooting. Ensure that there are no other files besides OpenCore's BOOTx64.efi to prevent GRUB from hijacking the boot menu!

Troubleshooting

If it doesn't work, do the following:

  • Check your kernel configuration. Set CONFIG_EFI_STUB=y. If there's no CONFIG_EFI_STUB, it is probably commented-out (with a # before it). If the value is n, the kernel has to be recompiled. However, almost all modern distros set it to y.
  • Check if the required file system drivers are installed in /EFI/OC/Drivers and listed in your config under UEFI > Drivers. If so, try changing the order (File system drivers first, then OpenLinuxBoot).

Notes

  • If multiple Linux Kernels are present, the Boot Picker will become cluttered with entries since OpenLinuxBoot will create a boot entry of each kernel. You can set Misc > Boot > HideAuxiliary to True to reduce the clutter (press space bar in boot picker to reveal the Linux entries again). This will also hide macOS Recovery, Reset NVRAM and any other tool marked as "Auxiliary".
  • If the kernel is not in /boot or the name doesn't start with vmlinuz, they won't be detected.
  • The original Linux bootloader (grub, systemd-boot, syslinux, etc) should not be deleted.

Credits

  • Acidanthera for OpenCore Package and OpenCore Binaray Data
  • mswgen from insanelymac.com for the guide