iKext For Mac

Kext files are packages that are usually used by hardware devices such as printers, graphic cards, wireless cards, sound cards, etc.

While the usual Mac users won’t come too often in contact with them, Hackintosh fans can install kext files in order to extend and modify OS X current features or capabilities.

After copying the .kext files into the “/System/Library/Extensions/” path, they can be installed using the Terminal app by typing “cd /System/ Library/Extensions”, then setting the correct permissions with the help of “sudo chmod -R 755 foobar.kext” and “sudo chown -R root:wheel foobar.kext” commands, removing the kext caches using the “sudo rm -R Extensions.kextcache” and “sudo rm -R Extensions.mkext” and then rebooting your Mac.

If the described above process seems a bit counterintuitive,  there are certain utilities designed from the ground up to help you bypass this annoying action by automating the whole process, for example: iKext.

iKext is a straightforward and minimalist application designed from the ground with only one aim in mind: to provide you with the simplest way for installing kernel extensions on your Mac.

What’s interesting is the fact that iKext reduces the whole process of installing kernel extensions for Mac OS X to a simple drag and drop action from the Finder onto its main and only window.

After the kext file has been dropped onto iKext’s interface, the application will automatically copy the kernel extension, back up the existing extension (if one is found), handles all permission changes, and installs the extension.

Despite its efficiency and pragmatism, there is one thing that you actually need to do for the installation to be complete: you will have to manually restart your Mac.

Taking all things into consideration, iKext is a forthright and useful utility for the Mac that makes the process of manually installing kernel extensions a lot less annoying and tedious.