I have a 2017 MacBook Pro with a fairly standard configuration and no T2 chip. Apple no longer supports it, so I'm planning to revive it by installing Ubuntu. I've already backed up everything to another computer, so I'm not worried about losing the current data. My plan is to create a bootable USB drive, start the Mac while holding Option, and choose the Linux installer. Is there anything important I should know beyond following the installer's instructions?
3 Answers
Plan for networking problems during or immediately after installation. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth may not work until the appropriate drivers or firmware are installed, so download the instructions and packages ahead of time if possible. Since this MacBook has no Ethernet port, a compatible USB-C Ethernet adapter or dock is the easiest workaround. You can also install without an internet connection and fix the drivers afterward.
The installation itself should be fairly straightforward, but watch a current Linux-on-Mac walkthrough before starting. Hold Option during startup and select the EFI or USB installer; Option+R is for macOS recovery, not normally for booting the Linux drive. Ubuntu 24.04 has worked well for many people, though MacBook hardware can sometimes need extra driver setup. Fedora is another reasonable option if you’re still choosing a distribution.
Before wiping anything, verify that the USB actually boots and make sure you know how to access the Mac’s boot picker. Keeping another computer or phone available for driver instructions is useful, especially if the wireless card is not recognized on the first boot. Once Ubuntu is running, install updates and check Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, audio, trackpad gestures, sleep, brightness controls, and the webcam.
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