AX88179 Drivers for Big Sur 11.0

As a foul workaround, I can only suggest to disable system integrity protection in parts for allowing third party kernel extensions;

Code Block 
csrutil enable --without kext

It worked for my AX88179 based adapter using drivers from ASIX.

There is a new driver on ASIX website, 2.17.0. The date is kinda a little bit behind but when Big Sur came out, they only have 2.16.0. I haven't tried it on Big Sur without disabling SIP. You should try it.

How did you manage to get it working? With the SIP partly disabled I still can't get the extension to be loaded.

Is there some fix for this? I'm waiting for the driver for macOS 11 but 2.18 seems to work only for 10.9 to 10.15 sadly.

Resolved:
Download new driver from asix revision v2.18.0 and install

1. Boot MacBook in recovery mode

2. In Terminal: /usr/sbin/spctl kext-consent add 5RHFAZ9D4P

3. Start MacOs X and accept pop up in system preferences/security and privacy. All works.

The suggestion of using spctl in recovery mode worked for me too.

Worked for me aswell.

Any other safe solution? I have the same chipset.

Hi,

You need check developer ID
(An example based on ASIX ELECTRONICS CORPORATION)

1. Install driver and check if it exists kext in: /Library/Extensions/AX88179178A.kext

2. In terminal: sudo su - (type your password)

In terminal install kext:

/usr/sbin/spctl -a -vv -t install /Library/Extensions/AX88179178A.kext 

You see:

/Library/Extensions/AX88179_178A.kext: accepted
source=Notarized Developer ID
origin=Developer ID Application: ASIX ELECTRONICS CORPORATION (5RHFAZ9D4P)

3. Next boot MacBook in recovery mode
4. In Terminal add developer ID: /usr/sbin/spctl kext-consent add 5RHFAZ9D4P
5. Start MacOs X and accept pop up in system preferences/security and privacy.
6. In terminal check added developer ID: /usr/sbin/spctl kext-consent list

You see:

Allowed Team Identifiers:
5RHFAZ9D4P

7. In terminal, check driver loaded: kextfind -report -b -loaded |grep com.asix.driver.ax88179-178a

You see:

com.asix.driver.ax88179-178a yes

I've downloaded the last version of drivers on Asix website (v2.18) but not sucess.
Try to follow all the steps bellow but on the step 5 doesn't show any pop up and step 7 is showing:

com.asix.driver.ax88179-178a no

Hi,

You need check developer ID 
(An example based on ASIX ELECTRONICS CORPORATION)
Install driver and check if it exists kext in: /Library/Extensions/AX88179178A.kext
In terminal: sudo su - (type your password)
In terminal install kext:

/usr/sbin/spctl -a -vv -t install /Library/Extensions/AX88179178A.kext 

You see:

/Library/Extensions/AX88179_178A.kext: accepted
source=Notarized Developer ID
origin=Developer ID Application: ASIX ELECTRONICS CORPORATION (5RHFAZ9D4P)

3. Next boot MacBook in recovery mode
4. In Terminal add developer ID: /usr/sbin/spctl kext-consent add 5RHFAZ9D4P
5. Start MacOs X and accept pop up in system preferences/security and privacy.
6. In terminal check added developer ID: /usr/sbin/spctl kext-consent list

You see:

Allowed Team Identifiers:
5RHFAZ9D4P

7. In terminal, check driver loaded: kextfind -report -b -loaded |grep com.asix.driver.ax88179-178a

You see:

com.asix.driver.ax88179-178a yes

I did everything mentioned in the previous replies but, it didn't work.
Then I found this article, I installed the drivers provided in it and it worked after the restart. The drivers are primarily for Catalina but they worked with my BigSur beta install on the MacBook Pro 13 (2018)

link: plugable.com/2019/10/04/usb-ethernet-adapter-not-working-after-macos-catalina-10-15-update-we-can-help/

I followed the instructions, but the extension is still not loaded :-(

In the systemreport / software / Extensions/ the status of AX88179178A is not loaded.
After reboot kextfind -report -b -loaded showed "com.asix.driver.ax88179-178a no"

/usr/sbin/spctl -a -vv -t install /Library/Extensions/AX88179178A.kext/

/Library/Extensions/AX88179_178A.kext/: accepted

source=Notarized Developer ID

override=security disabled

origin=Developer ID Application: ASIX ELECTRONICS CORPORATION (5RHFAZ9D4P)

Same boat here too. And I'm a yellow-belt (at best) at developer stuff. I know there's an answer out there.

I have successfully got the adapter working in Big Sur 11.0.1 Beta (20B5022a). This is the first version of Big Sur I have attempted to install. I'm not sure if a clean install makes a difference.

The workaround involves a few extra steps. But here is exactly what I did.

1. Go to the Asix support page asix.com.tw/en/product/USBEthernet/Super-SpeedUSBEthernet/AX88179?utmsource=ASIX.Youtube&utmmedium=video&utm_campaign=ASIX .

2. Click the Downloads tab.

3. Click the Software & Tools link.

4. Download the Apple macOS 10.9 to 10.15 Drivers Installer v2.18.0 2020-08-04 3.0 MB.

5. Proceed to install the driver.

At this point, you will be prompted to reboot. Upon reboot the driver won't work. This is fine. Proceed to follow the previous instructions by kraczynski:

In terminal install kext:

/usr/sbin/spctl -a -vv -t install /Library/Extensions/AX88179178A.kext 

You see:

/Library/Extensions/AX88179_178A.kext: accepted
source=Notarized Developer ID
origin=Developer ID Application: ASIX ELECTRONICS CORPORATION (5RHFAZ9D4P)

. Next boot MacBook in recovery mode
4. In Terminal add developer ID: /usr/sbin/spctl kext-consent add 5RHFAZ9D4P
5. Start MacOs X and accept pop up in system preferences/security and privacy.
6. In terminal check added developer ID: /usr/sbin/spctl kext-consent list

You see:

Allowed Team Identifiers:
5RHFAZ9D4P

When you get to step 7, you will notice that macOS reports no instead of yes. That is ok. That happened to me too.

7. In terminal, check driver loaded: kextfind -report -b -loaded |grep com.asix.driver.ax88179-178a

You see:

com.asix.driver.ax88179-178a yes

Now, go to the Plugable website. Download and install v2.16.0 of the drivers from here: plugable.com/2019/10/04/usb-ethernet-adapter-not-working-after-macos-catalina-10-15-update-we-can-help/

This time, during installation you'll be prompted to allow the extension and the install should fully succeed. After rebooting, your network adapter should be enabled and working again.

I am not sure if driver versions make a difference. I suspect that I will be able to upgrade to v2.18.0 of the drivers and they will begin to work. I'll report back if that is the case. But for the time being I wanted to report the precise steps I took to get everything to work.

Well, tomorrow is the day that officially there will be no working driver for this chipset for the current release of MacOS X.

ASIX should be ashamed of themselves.

ASIX released a Beta Driver for macOS 11 today.

The beta drivers for Big Sur from ASIX require users to disable System Integrity Protection (SIP). That is not a very good workaround. It's actually a very bad idea as SIP provides a much needed layer of security.

I can confirm that the steps I took below can get the previous drivers working without having to disable SIP. Also, it works with the newer driver v2.18.0. I'm going to stick with this approach for now.

Got it working on Big Sur Public release...

You need the older version, I got v2.16.0 installed and working with this steps.

The newer beta release from ASIX (v2.19.0) did not have the pop up from the system privacy and would need you to disable kext.

Code Block 

Resolved:
Download new driver from asix revision v2.18.0 and install
Boot MacBook in recovery mode
In Terminal: /usr/sbin/spctl kext-consent add 5RHFAZ9D4P
Start MacOs X and accept pop up in system preferences/security and privacy. All works.

Code Block 

I tried V2.19.0 Beta2 in Big Sur Public Release(11.0.1) Still is not working :(

What exactly is the root cause of this problem? Why is it so hard to release a driver?

I tried AX88179178Av2.19.0 and when I checked on System Report, Notarized - "Yes" but Load - "No". MacBook Pro 15inch 2016 with Ethernet Adapter from Ugreen.

I have a Ugreen adapter and these steps worked for me (copied from ASIX guide):

Note: If your OS is macOS11 above, please follow below step1 to disable System Integrity Protection firstly, before install the driver.

Step 1: Disable System Integrity Protection.

•  From the Apple menu select Restart.

•  As your Mac restarts, press and hold down the Command + R keys immediately upon hearing the startup chime. Hold the keys until the Apple logo appears to get the computer in Recovery mode. The computer is now in Recovery mode.

•  From the Apple menu select Utilities -> Terminal

•  Run the command: csrutil disable

•  From the Apple menu, select Restart.

I have a solution for those who tried to re-enabled System Integration Security (SIP) after successful driver installation.
(my OS version is: macOS Big Sur version 11.0.1)

1- Unplug your USB-Ethernet device.
2- Get the latest version and discard all advices about using older versions. Get version 2.19 (beta2) which is currently available. Do NOT install driver now !
3- Uninstall old driver first using the uninstaller that comes with the latest driver. You will have to restart.
4- Wait your screen to be off due to Restart, then directly... (next point)
5- Keep holding Command+R wile your PC is booting. Keep holding until the Apple logo appears. (If you fail to enter recovery mode, shut down and repeat this point).
6- Select your account and enter password.
7- Choose Utilities > Terminal.
8- csrutil disable
9- /usr/sbin/spctl kext-consent list
10- If 5RHFAZ9D4P is not in the list, enter: /usr/sbin/spctl kext-consent add 5RHFAZ9D4P . Otherwise, skip this point.
11- Restart you mac.
12- This is the critical point which you might miss from all other instructions available: Remove Allow permission you provided earlier to asix team (5RHFAZ9D4P). This is important to let your OS accept the device again. Follow these steps carefully:
sudo su
(enter your password if prompted), then...
sqlite3 /var/db/SystemPolicyConfiguration/KextPolicy
delete from kextloadhistoryv3 where teamid='5RHFAZ9D4P';
delete from kextpolicy where teamid='5RHFAZ9D4P';
.quit
13- Install driver.
14- Now you will be prompt to Allow this driver in System Preferences -> Security & Privacy.
15- Connect your USB-Ethernet device.
16- Your USB-Ethernet device should work by now. Ensure you have ethernet connected to router/Switch to verify.
17- If it does not yet work, try running this in terminal: sudo kextload -b com.asix.driver.ax88179-178a

Thanks  IbrahimMD1!
It started to show popup and work.

On 12th step were provided wrong table name and field due to message formatting.
Should be like this:

Code Block language
delete from kext_load_history_v3 where team_id='5RHFAZ9D4P';
delete from kext_policy where team_id='5RHFAZ9D4P';

I'm sorry, but disabling SIP for a device driver is a hard no. It makes no sense to me that you can't write a driver for a USB Ethernet dongle that requires this. ASIX had all summer long to get their s__t together and failed miserably.

It works, thanks IbrahimMD1 and volodymyrk!