Understand the role of drivers in bridging the gap between software and hardware, ensuring smooth hardware functionality.

Drivers Documentation

Posts under Drivers subtopic

Post

Replies

Boosts

Views

Activity

Unable to localize driver name or description
I am trying to localize the CFBundleDisplayName and OSBundleUsageDescription of a driver that is part of an app. I am able to use InfoPlist.strings files to localize the Bundle display name for the app, but when I try to use the same file as part of the driver, the name displayed in settings for the app does not change correctly. In fact, it seems to follow the default language set in the xcode project. If the default language is not included in the suite of InfoPlist.strings files, it seems to take the string from the info.plist file. sometimes it just seems to take the English version regardless of the default language or tablet language. Has anyone had success with this?
4
7
147
Aug ’25
iOS 26 iPhone won't charge and keeps restarting.
I have an iPhone 14 Pro. I downloaded the iOS 26 beta and had a SERIOUS error, rendering the phone unusable. I charged it to 60% and kept it plugged in while updating. While updating, I restarted several times at the Apple logo, then at the Welcome screen, and it had quite a few bugs with low battery warnings. When I turned it on, I noticed I had 1% (I thought it was strange). When it was plugged in, it wouldn't charge; it only had 1% left, and it also restarted every 2 minutes. Off-plugged, it did exactly the same thing. In the end, I had to go back to iOS 18.5; I had no problems with this version.
4
3
976
Jun ’25
DriverKit driver doesn't appear in Settings when installed with iPad app
I'm working on a DriverKit driver. I have it running on macOS, including a very simple client app written in SwiftUI. Everything is working fine there. I've added iPadOS as a destination for the app as demonstrated in the WWDC video on DriverKit for iPadOS. The app builds and runs on my iPad, as expected (after a little work to conditionalize out my use of SystemExtensions.framework for installation on macOS). However, after installing and running the app on an iPad, the driver does not show up in Settings->General, nor in the app-specific settings pane triggered by the inclusion of a settings bundle in the app. I've confirmed that the dext is indeed being included in the app bundle when built for iPadOS (in MyApp.app/SystemExtensions/com.me.MyApp.MyDriver.dext). I also can see in the build log that there's a validation step for the dext, and that seems to be succeeding. I don't know why the app isn't being discovered -- or in any case surfaced to the user -- when the app is installed on the iPad. Has anyone faced this problem and solved it? Are there ways to troubleshoot installation/discovery of an embedded DriverKit extensions on iOS? Unlike on macOS, I don't really see any relevant console messages.
6
2
2.0k
Apr ’25
PrintCenter disappeared when printing with AirPrint on iOS18.1
Environment iPad:10th iOS:18.1 Printer:EPSON PX-S730 Problem In iOS18.1, When printing with AirPrint, PrintCenter is no longer displayed on AppSwitcher. In iOS17, PrintCenter was displayed on AppSwitcher. Question Is this a specification change? I would like to know if there is a way to check PrintCenter on AppSwitcher in the same way as iOS17. Ref No information after iOS18.1 update. https://support.apple.com/ja-jp/109349 There is no mention of AirPrint updates in the AppleDeveloper release notes. https://developer.apple.com/documentation/ios-ipados-release-notes/ios-ipados-18-release-notes https://developer.apple.com/documentation/ios-ipados-release-notes/ios-ipados-18_1-release-notes
2
2
683
Nov ’24
Fails to capture IOUSBHostInterface with macOS 15.3 despite root privileges in app
I have an app that captures USB storage device and sends some commands to it. The app has a privilege helper tool which captures the USB device. Everything was working fine upto macOS 15.2 but it 15.3 update broke the functionality. When the helper tool tries to capture the USB device, it is able to capture IOUSBHostDevice but fails to capture IOUSBHostInterface. The error is Code: 3758097097; Domain: IOUSBHostErrorDomain; Description: Failed to create IOUSBHostInterface.; Reason: Failed [super init] I have verified the UID, EUID, GID, EGID = 0 for the helper process. So by IOUSBHost documentation it should have worked. The code that cause the error inside the helper tool is func captureUSBInterface(interface: io_service_t) -> IOUSBHostInterface? { let queue = DispatchQueue(label: "com.example.usbdevice.queue2") var capturedInterface: IOUSBHostInterface? do { capturedInterface = try IOUSBHostInterface(__ioService: interface, options: .deviceCapture, queue: queue, interestHandler: nil) } catch { NSLog("Failed to capture USB interface: \(error)") return nil } return capturedInterface } The app has sandbox=False and is distributed outside of the App Store. Please advise (long-term, short-term solutions) on how to make this work.
5
2
468
Feb ’25
BLE Connection Failure with iPad A16 and Silicon Labs Gecko SDK 3.x Devices
We're seeing a consistent issue where iPads with the A16 chip fail to connect to our BLE device, which uses a Silicon Labs chip running Gecko SDK 3.x. All other Apple devices — including older iPads and iPhones — connect without any problems. According to Silicon Labs, the issue stems from the iPad A16 sending an LL_CHANNEL_REPORTING_IND message (opcode 0x28) during connection establishment: Per Silicon Labs: "Currently the iPad 16 will send a message for LL_CHANNEL_REPORTING_IND (opcode 0x28). This is a feature that is not supported in Gecko SDK 3.x. Shortly after, the BLE module responds with an 'Unknown Response' (opcode 0x07), indicating that it does not support opcode 0x28 After this exchange the iPad stops sending meaningful transactions to the BLE module and eventually closes the connection. The BLE Module is responding to this unknown request as specified in the BT Core Spec Volume 6 Part B." Unfortunately, the firmware on these BLE modules cannot be updated remotely, and we've already shipped several thousand units to customers. Given how widely Silicon Labs' BLE modules are deployed, we suspect this issue could be affecting many other developers and products as well. We’re hoping Apple might offer a workaround or allow us access — even internally or unofficially — to suppress or bypass this feature in CoreBluetooth for this specific scenario. For example, is there a way to disable LL_CHANNEL_REPORTING_IND or instruct the stack to ignore the unknown response from the peripheral? We’re open to any workaround via CoreBluetooth (even private APIs or entitlements, if necessary) that would allow us to preserve compatibility without a mass recall. If there's an Apple engineer monitoring this, we'd be extremely grateful for guidance or escalation. Thank you!
2
2
169
Jul ’25
Proper way to use IOKit in iOS app?
Hello, forum, I'm trying to build connection between a non-MFi HID device (like keyboard) and iOS app with IOKit and Swift. Thanks to this post, I have manage to import the IOKit into objc header. IOKit on iOS/iPadOS 16.0+ #import <IOKit/IOKitLib.h> However, I have this compiler error when I try to imitate same methods in the SerialPortSaple project from following article, but the IOKit can not be imported to Swift at first place. Communicating with a Modem on a Serial Port The screen shot of the sample project: It looks like the complier unable to reach the io_object_t type somehow, is there any workaround or approach?
6
1
1.9k
Oct ’24
Drivers are not visible in iOS 18 Public beta
Hello team, I am using USBDriverKit and Driverkit framework in my application for communication of USB device. After updating my iPad OS to 18 public beta, I am unable to get option to enable drivers in my setting page of my application. However, I am able to see that options in developer beta version of iPad OS 18. Can anyone guide me, how should I proceed further as I am unable to use my USB devices.
8
1
1.1k
Nov ’24
FTDI Serial Support on iOS18 with USB-C iPhones
I read that iPadOS supports driverkit, and, presumably, the same serial FTDI UARTs as macOS. Has this been migrated to USB-C iPhones on iOS 18? After some searching, the developer doc is not clear, and web responses are contradictory. We are currently using it for a wired sensor option of our BlueTooth HR sensor. When it is used in wired config, the radios are turned off. This is important to some of our customers. Since Lightning MFI sensors are being discontinued with Apple killing Lightning, we would love to have an alternative for iOS. -- Harald
2
1
555
Mar ’25
Issue Writing to BAR1 After BAR0 is Unavailable
Hello Everyone, I encountered an issue with PCI memory access in DriverKit. In my case, BAR0 is not available, but BAR1 is ready for use. Here’s the log output: !!! ERROR : Failed to get BAR0 info (error: 0xe00002f0). !!! BAR1 - MemoryIndex: 0x00000000, Size: 0x00040000, Type: 0 Issue Description When I initially wrote to BAR0 using memoryIndex = 0, it worked successfully: AME_Address_Write_32(pAMEData, pAMEData->memoryIndex, AME_HOST_INT_MASK_REGISTER, 0x0F); However, I mistakenly forgot to update memoryIndex to 1 for BAR1. Surprisingly, the write operation still succeeded. When I fixed memoryIndex = 1 for BAR1, the write operation no longer had any effect. There was no error, but the expected behavior did not occur. Relevant API (From IOPCIDevice.iig) /*! /*! * @brief Writes a 32-bit value to the PCI device's aperture at a given memory index. * @discussion This method writes a 32-bit register on the device and returns its value. * @param memoryIndex An index into the array of ranges assigned to the device. * @param offset An offset into the device's memory specified by the index. * @param data A 32-bit value to be written in host byte order. */ void MemoryWrite32(uint8_t memoryIndex, uint64_t offset, uint32_t data) LOCALONLY; Log Output: Writes to BAR0 (memoryIndex = 0) AME_Address_Write_32() called memoryIndex: 0, offset: 0x34, data: 0xf Wrote data 0xF to offset 52 AME_Address_Write_32() called memoryIndex: 0, offset: 0xa0, data: 0x1 Wrote data 0x1 to offset 160 AME_Address_Write_32() called memoryIndex: 0, offset: 0x20, data: 0xffffffff Wrote data 0xFFFFFFFF to offset 32 Writes to BAR1 (memoryIndex = 1) – No Response AME_Address_Write_32() called memoryIndex: 1, offset: 0x34, data: 0xf No confirmation log, no visible effect. Questions What should memoryIndex be set to for BAR1? The log shows "BAR1 - MemoryIndex: 0x00000000", but should I be using 1 instead? How can I verify if a write operation to BAR1 is successful? Is there a way to check if the memory region is actually writable? Should I use MemoryRead32() to confirm the written value? Any guidance would be greatly appreciated! Best Regards, Charles
3
1
69
Mar ’25
M1 Air 2020: Failed upgrade from Sequioia 15.3.2 to 15.4, Can't ignore lock validation @t8020dart.c:535
Hi, trying to upgrade from macOS Sequoia 15.3.2 to 15.4 gives this error. Now I can not boot from internal drive of M1 Air 2020, because it restores 15.4, that does not boot. I can only boot from external USB SSD that has macOS 15.3.2. How I can install back 15.3.2 or alternatively newer macOS to internal drive? I only have one Mac, this M1 Air 2020. I have AppleAppleCare+ to 9/18/25. Remaining of error is attached here: Can't ignore lock validation @t8020dart.c:535 panic(cpu 2 caller 0x0): t8020dart 0xfffffdf053908000 (dart-dispext0): Can't ignore lock validation @t8020dart.c:535 Debugger message: panic Memory ID: 0x6 OS release type: Not set yet OS version: Not set yet Kernel version: Darwin Kernel Version 24.4.0: Wed Mar 19 21:12:54 PDT 2025; root:xnu-11417.101.15~1/RELEASE_ARM64_T8103 Fileset Kernelcache UUID: 2BBA525B95E0E6B962ECC44FC093AB57 Kernel UUID: 4E6CBD31-CD1E-3939-8A63-211A206AFA66 Boot session UUID: 3A34167D-2534-402F-9679-2CAD45F67CDA iBoot version: iBoot-11881.101.1 iBoot Stage 2 version: iBoot-11881.101.1 secure boot?: YES
6
1
1.2k
Apr ’25
CarPlay not working on iOS 26 beta
Just wanted to check here to see if anyone else is running into the issue of CarPlay not working at all on iOS 26 Beta 1, even with the update on Friday. I plug my phone in (wired) and CarPlay never shows up. I've seen a Reddit thread where other folks are seeing the same thing.
2
1
222
Jul ’25
limitations of UserSendCDB in SCSIPeripheralsDriverKit?
I've made a dext and a user client that overrides IOUserSCSIPeripheralDeviceType00, with the object of writing device firmware to the driver. I can gain and relinquish exclusive access to the device, I can call UserReportMediumBlockSize and get back a sensible answer (512). I can build command parameters with the INQUIRY macro from IOUserSCSIPeripheralDeviceHelper.h and send that command successfully using UserSendCB, and I receive sensible-looking Inquiry data from the device. However, what I really want to do is send a WriteBuffer command (opcode 0x3B), and that doesn't work. I have yet to put a bus analyzer on it, but I don't think the command goes out on the bus - there's no valid sense data, and the error returned is 0xe00002bc, or kIOReturnError, which isn't helpful. This is the code I have which doesn't work. kern_return_t driver::writeChunk(const char * buf, size_t atOffset, size_t length, bool lastOne) { DebugMsg("writeChunk %p at %ld for %ld", buf, atOffset, length); SCSIType00OutParameters outParameters; SCSIType00InParameters response; memset(&outParameters, 0, sizeof(outParameters)); memset(&response, 0, sizeof(response)); SetCommandCDB(&outParameters.fCommandDescriptorBlock, 0x3B, // byte 0, opcode WriteBuffer command lastOne ? 0x0E : 0x0F, // byte 1 mode: E=save deferred, F = download and defer save 0, // byte 2 bufferID (atOffset >> 16), // byte 3 (atOffset >> 8), // byte 4 atOffset, // byte 5 (length >> 16), // byte 6 (length >> 8), // byte 7 length, // byte 8 0, // control, byte 9 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0); // bytes 10..15 outParameters.fLogicalUnitNumber = 0; outParameters.fBufferDirection = kIOMemoryDirectionOut; outParameters.fDataTransferDirection = kSCSIDataTransfer_FromInitiatorToTarget; outParameters.fTimeoutDuration = 1000; // milliseconds outParameters.fRequestedByteCountOfTransfer = length; outParameters.fDataBufferAddr = reinterpret_cast<uint64_t>(buf); uint8_t senseBuffer[255] = {0}; outParameters.fSenseBufferAddr = reinterpret_cast<uint64_t>(senseBuffer); outParameters.fSenseLengthRequested = sizeof(senseBuffer); kern_return_t retVal = UserSendCDB(outParameters, &response); return retVal; }
3
0
78
1w
How to Symbolicate an Apple Silicon Panic?
Investigating a kernel panic, I discovered that Apple Silicon Panic traces are not working with how I know to symbolicate the panic information. I have not found proper documentation that corrects this situation. Attached file is an indentity-removed panic, received from causing an intentional panic (dereferencing nullptr), so that I know what functions to expect in the call stack. This is cut-and-pasted from the "Report To Apple" dialog that appears after the reboot: panic_1_4_21_b.txt To start, I download and install the matching KDK (in this case KDK_14.6.1_23G93.kdk), identified from this line: OS version: 23G93 Kernel version: Darwin Kernel Version 23.6.0: Mon Jul 29 21:14:04 PDT 2024; root:xnu-10063.141.2~1/RELEASE_ARM64_T8122 Then start lldb from Terminal, using this command: bash_prompt % lldb -arch arm64e /Library/Developer/KDKs/KDK_14.6.1_23G93.kdk/System/Library/Kernels/kernel.release.t8122 Next I load the remaining scripts per the instructions from lldb: (lldb) settings set target.load-script-from-symbol-file true I need to know what address to load my kext symbols to, which I read from this line of the panic log, after the @ symbol: com.company.product(1.4.21d119)[92BABD94-80A4-3F6D-857A-3240E4DA8009]@0xfffffe001203bfd0->0xfffffe00120533ab I am using a debug build of my kext, so the DWARF symbols are part of the binary. I use this line to load the symbols into the lldb session: (lldb) addkext -F /Library/Extensions/KextName.kext/Contents/MacOS/KextName 0xfffffe001203bfd0 And now I should be able to use lldb image lookup to identify pointers on the stack that land within my kext. For example, the current PC at the moment of the crash lands within the kext (expected, because it was intentional): (lldb) image lookup -a 0xfffffe001203fe10 Which gives the following incorrect result: Address: KextName[0x0000000000003e40] (KextName.__TEXT.__cstring + 14456) Summary: "ffer has %d retains\n" That's not even a program instruction - that's within a cstring. No, that cstring isn't involved in anything pertaining to the intentional panic I am expecting to see. Can someone please explain what I'm doing wrong and provide instructions that will give symbol information from a panic trace on an Apple Silicon Mac? Disclaimers: Yes I know IOPCIFamily is deprecated, I am in process of transitioning to DriverKit Dext from IOKit kext. Until then I must maintain the kext. Terminal command "atos" provides similar incorrect results, and seems to not work with debug-built-binaries (only dSYM files) Yes this is an intentional panic so that I can verify the symbolicate process before I move on to investigating an unexpected panic I have set nvram boot-args to include keepsyms=1 I have tried (lldb) command script import lldb.macosx but get a result of error: no images in crash log (after the nvram settings)
5
0
1.6k
Apr ’25
How to enable PCIDriverKit Bus Leader? (and Memory Space enable?)
I am porting a working kernel extension IOKit driver to a DriverKit system extension. Our device is a PCI device accessed through Thunderbolt. The change from IOPCIFamily to PCIDriverKit has some differences in approach, though. Namely, in IOKit / IOPCIFamily, this was the correct way to become Bus Leader: mPCIDevice->setBusLeadEnable(true); // setBusMasterEnable(..) deprecated in OS 12.4 but now, PCIDriverKit's IOPCIDevice does not have that function. Instead I am doing the following: // Set Bus Leader and Memory Space enable uint16_t commandRegister = 0; ivars->mPCIDevice->ConfigurationRead16(kIOPCIConfigurationOffsetCommand, &commandRegister); commandRegister |= (kIOPCICommandBusLead | kIOPCICommandMemorySpace); ivars->mPCIDevice->ConfigurationWrite16(kIOPCIConfigurationOffsetCommand, commandRegister); But I am not convinced this is working (I am still experiencing unexpected errors when attempting to DMA from our device, using the same steps that work for the kernel extension). The only hint I can find in the online documentation is here, which reads: Note The endpoint driver is responsible for enabling the Memory Space Enable and Bus Master Enable settings each time it configures the PCI device. When a crash occurs, or when the system unloads your driver, the system disables these features. ...but that does not state directly how to enable bus leader status. What is the "PCIDriverKit approved" way to become bus leader? Is there a way to verify/confirm that a device is bus leader? (This would be helpful to prove that bus leadership is not the issue for DMA errors, as well as to confirm that bus leadership was granted). Thanks in advance!
1
0
709
Oct ’24
How to open "Driver Extensions" on macOS 15 by using objective-C
Hello everybody, Since macOS 15, the systemextension allow in changed as switch style and put in the "Login items & Extensions". I know the URL navigating to here, which is: x-apple.systempreferences:com.apple.LoginItems-Settings.extension But the extension options we need to scroll deep down and we need to click the "!" to open it. I want to open the finally window for user can easily see it and enable it. Please tell me how. Appreciate!!
4
0
1.3k
Oct ’24
Are there any updates on communicating with iPhones via USB-C without an MFi chip?
Hi everyone, Are there any new updates on communicating with iPhones via USB-C without needing an MFi chip, especially with the iPhone 15 or upcoming iPhone 16? I'm developing a custom accessory and wondering if the switch to USB-C has introduced any new possibilities for data communication without going through the MFi program. Thanks!
1
0
794
Oct ’24