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.
Go to the Asix support page asix.com.tw/en/product/USBEthernet/Super-SpeedUSBEthernet/AX88179?utmsource=ASIX.Youtube&utmmedium=video&utmcampaign=ASIX .
Click the Downloads tab.
Click the Software & Tools link.
Download the Apple macOS 10.9 to 10.15 Drivers Installer v2.18.0 2020-08-04 3.0 MB.
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/AX88179178A.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.
43n79w
Users receive reputation points by contributing quality content to the forums.
Posts include post and replies published on the forums.
Post authors can mark replies as Accepted to indicate successful solutions.
Apple Developer Forums admins can mark replies as Apple Recommended to indicate an approved solution
From
Toronto, ON, Canada
Post
Replies
Boosts
Views
Activity
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.