Update: I’ve released a new Ubuntu 18.10 (4.19 Linux kernel) image for MacBook Pro!

My post about remastering Ubuntu 18.04 version for MacBook Pro 2017 with Touch Bar working out of box got a lot more attention then I thought it would. This was most notable on Google+ and now I see there are even Reddit posts about it.

If you boot Ubuntu on Macbook Pro 2016/2017 edition model with Touch Bar on Ubuntu 18.04. Not a lot will be working out of box. Basically you’ll only get video working, while important components such as keyboard/touchpad/touch bar/WiFi will not be working.

After recent MacOs update broke DisplayLink, and there’s not a lot anyone can do about it. Being the author of displaylink-debian and it working on Linux, I had to do something about Linux having non-installable status on above mentioned MacBook Pro models.

I remastered Ubuntu 18.04 (Bionic Beaver) and included all necessary drivers, for reference I used mbp-2016-linux GitHub repo.

With this remastered image, everything is working out of box, except:

* bluetooth

* audio input/output

* suspend/hibernation

In case you have problems with WiFi, please run following which will allow you to connect to 2.4Ghz networks:

iwconfig wlp3s0 txpower 10dBm

Out of above mentioned, bluetooth is fixed in 4.17 version of the kernel which is about to be released soon (latest is 4.17-rc5). Suspend/hibernate can be worked around, and I’m hoping sound can also be fixed by time 4.17 final is released.

Although it wasn’t my intention to release this image, as it’s not completely finished. I’m planning to do another remaster with kernel 4.17 (once it’s released) and hopefully with everything working out of box.

But since I’m pretty busy lately and I’m not sure when I’ll be able to do/release my next build + I don’t want to be a tease, you can download this image from the link below:

ubuntu-18.04-macbook-pro-2017-fooctrl-05162017.iso

You can simply “burn” this image to a USB drive using i.e Etcher. Once you’re done, reboot your Mac and hold “option” key to show up a boot options. Choose to boot from your USB and enjoy!

To find out when new remastered image is released, please follow me on Twitter or Google+.

In meantime, please fire away any questions you may have and happy hacking!