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I have a 2021 MacBook Pro (M1) running Monterey and I want to completely disable the built-in mic. Removing the IOAudioFamily.kext did the trick in old macOS versions (e.g. Mojave), but removing a system kext is proving to be difficult in Monterey.

I've tried:

Option #1:

  • Go into Recovery Mode;
  • Disable SIPS;
  • Go to /System/Library/Extensions;
  • rm IOAudioFamily.kext

... but it does not allow the removal

Option #2: (based on this post)

  • Reboot in rescue mode
  • csrutil disable
  • csrutil authenticated-root disable
  • mount -uw /Volumes/MacintoshHD
  • cd /Volumes/MacintoshHD/System/Library/Extensions
  • rm -rf rm IOAudioFamily.kext
  • rm -rf /System/Library/Caches/*
  • kmutil install -u --force --volume-root /Volumes/MacintoshHD
  • bless --folder /Volumes/[MacOS ]/System/Library/CoreServices --bootefi --create-snapshot
    (This step fails: the bless --folder option is only available for external disks in Apple Silicon Computers)

Any idea on how to get this done?

agarza
  • 2,274
reg
  • 51
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    Is you question really "how to delete a system kext" (I suspect you can't), or it is "how to disable the microphone"? – Gilby Apr 13 '22 at 10:54
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    The question is how to delete a system kext. But I definitely need to completely disable the built-in microphone so it can't be turned on again. Removing the right kext should do the trick (until until one upgrades macOS) but if you have another suggestion I would really like to hear it. Thx – reg Apr 13 '22 at 11:10
  • a different direction, but you can disconnect the mic flex cable inside the MacBook, and tape it over with some kapton. there's not a lot of slack in the cables inside the M1, so it should stay in place. – chronospoon Jul 24 '22 at 21:18

0 Answers0