This situation, where a drive that's physically inside your machine gets labeled as an "outie" or external, has been a bit of a headache for a while. People have tried different things to fix it, often using special pieces of software called codeless kexts or various drivers. These efforts, actually, aimed to trick macOS into recognizing these drives for what they really are: integral parts of the system. The journey to get these drives to be true "innies" has been quite interesting, with many clever solutions emerging from the community.

The good news is that there are now ways to change this behavior, allowing your internal PCI drives to finally be seen as the "innies" they ought to be. This means your system can treat them as primary storage, which is really important for things like booting up your Mac or running demanding applications. We'll explore the tools and methods that help bridge this gap, turning those frustrating "outies" into fully integrated "innies" within your macOS setup, and what that means for your everyday computing experience. It's a pretty big deal for performance, so.

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Table of Contents

• The "Outie" Problem in macOS
• Introducing "Innie": The Internalizer
• How "Innie" Works with OpenCore and Lilu
• The Innie and Outie V Diagram: A Comparison
  • Characteristics of an "Outie" Drive
  • Characteristics of an "Innie" Drive
  • The Overlap: The V-Diagram Connection
• Practical Steps and Considerations
• The Benefits of an "Innie" Drive
• Common Questions About Innie and Outie Drives

The "Outie" Problem in macOS

It's well known, you see, that macOS often sees PCI drives, especially those in a classic Mac Pro (CMP), as external devices. This can be quite puzzling because these drives are, in fact, physically installed inside the computer, just like any other internal component. This behavior is, in a way, an annoyance for users who expect their high-speed NVMe SSDs or other PCI-based storage solutions to be treated as primary, integrated parts of their system. It's almost like your computer is confused about its own anatomy.

In the past, there have been several attempts to fix this annoyance. Typically, these fixes came through what are known as codeless kexts and specialized drivers. These were essentially small pieces of software designed to alter how macOS recognized and interacted with these PCI devices. While some of these solutions offered temporary relief, they often presented their own set of challenges, sometimes requiring complex setups or breaking with system updates, so.

The core of the "outie" problem isn't just cosmetic; it affects how your Mac operates. An external drive, even if it's super fast, might not be considered a primary boot disk by the system, or it might not show up in certain system utilities as an internal volume. This can lead to slower boot times, issues with software installations, or simply a less streamlined user experience, which is, you know, not ideal when you're trying to get work done.

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Introducing "Innie": The Internalizer

This is where a solution like "innie" comes into the picture. "Innie" is a tool, actually, that has emerged as a particularly effective way to address the "outie" problem. Its main purpose is to make those PCI drives that macOS stubbornly sees as external finally appear as proper internal disks. This is a pretty big deal for anyone wanting to get the most out of their high-performance storage, especially in older Mac Pro models that are still quite capable machines, so.

The development of "innie" has been quite a journey. It represents a more refined approach compared to some of the earlier, less stable fixes. What's really neat is that "innie" seems to survive multiple reboots, both shutdowns and restarts, without losing its effect. This means you don't have to constantly reapply fixes or worry about your drives reverting to their "outie" status every time you power cycle your machine, which is, you know, a huge convenience.

Recently, "innie" has even been updated with experimental support for carrier boards, including those useful SATA to PCI cards. This means its reach is expanding, helping even more diverse hardware configurations achieve that coveted "innie" status. The device list that "innie" works with has also been updated, reflecting ongoing improvements and broader compatibility. This shows, arguably, a real commitment to making this solution work for a wider range of users and setups.

How "Innie" Works with OpenCore and Lilu

To really get "innie" working its magic, it typically partners up with other powerful tools, specifically OpenCore and Lilu. OpenCore is a bootloader that gives you a lot of control over how macOS starts up, allowing for various patches and modifications to be applied before the operating system fully loads. It's like a highly configurable gatekeeper for your Mac's startup process, so.

Lilu, on the other hand, is a kext (kernel extension) patcher. It doesn't do much on its own, but it's essential because it provides a framework for other plugins, like "innie," to function. Lilu is, in a way, a foundation for many useful fixes within the macOS environment. The text mentions that Lilu is also useful for other fixes, such as enabling Night Shift with the NightShiftUnlocker plugin, which shows its versatility.

The recommended way to use "innie" is to remove it and Lilu from your `/Library/Extensions` folder if they're there, and instead inject them with OpenCore. This method of injection is generally more stable and reliable, as it applies the patches at a lower level during the boot process. This ensures that "innie" takes effect correctly and consistently, which is, you know, pretty important for long-term stability. This setup means your NVMe drive, for example, can be seen as a primary disk, and all fine again, with your NVMe now seen as a primary disk.

The Innie and Outie V Diagram: A Comparison

When we talk about the "innie and outie v diagram," we're really looking at a conceptual comparison of how macOS perceives and interacts with internal PCI-based storage, depending on whether the "innie" fix is applied or not. It's not a literal visual diagram, but rather a way to think about the distinct characteristics and implications of each state. Let's break down what defines an "outie" versus an "innie" drive, and where their paths might cross, so.

Characteristics of an "Outie" Drive

An "outie" drive, in this context, is a PCI-based storage device that macOS mistakenly identifies as external. This means, typically, it might show up with an eject icon in the Finder sidebar, much like a USB stick or an external hard drive. Even though it's physically inside your computer, the system treats it as something that could be disconnected at any moment, which is, frankly, a bit odd.

Other characteristics include, perhaps, limitations on being used as a primary boot drive, or requiring specific workarounds to even install macOS onto it. Performance might be fine, but the system's underlying recognition of it as an external device can lead to quirks in software or system reports. It's like having a very fast, but slightly misunderstood, component in your machine, you know.

For example, if you have Catalina running on a true CMP 5,1, with OpenCore, and Catalina is installed on an NVMe attached to a Syba PCIe card, without the "innie" fix, that NVMe would typically appear as an "outie." This can be a real nuisance, especially if you want to add a second NVMe into that Syba card and install another OS or use it for critical data, as a matter of fact.

Characteristics of an "Innie" Drive

An "innie" drive, thanks to solutions like the "innie" plugin for Lilu, is a PCI-based storage device that macOS correctly identifies as an internal disk. This means it behaves exactly like a SATA SSD or a traditional hard drive connected to your motherboard's internal ports. There's no eject icon, and the system fully recognizes it as a permanent part of your computer, which is, you know, a much better experience.

With an "innie" drive, you can typically install macOS directly onto it without special tricks, and it will be recognized as a primary bootable volume. This is crucial for performance and system stability. The text specifically mentions that with "innie," an NVMe is now seen as a primary disk, which is exactly what you want for a boot drive or a main storage volume. It's almost like the drive has finally found its true identity within your Mac.

Furthermore, an "innie" drive integrates seamlessly with system functions. It appears correctly in Disk Utility, System Information, and other macOS tools, reflecting its true internal status. This just makes everything feel more cohesive and reliable, so. It really cleans up the user experience and removes those little nagging doubts about how your storage is being handled.

The Overlap: The V-Diagram Connection

The "innie and outie v diagram" isn't about two completely separate worlds; it's about two states of the *same physical hardware* and how they interact with macOS. The "V" shape, if you imagine it, represents the point of divergence and convergence. Without "innie," your PCI drive is an "outie," stuck in one branch. With "innie," it moves to the "innie" branch, gaining all the benefits of internal recognition. The overlap, or the point where the "V" meets, is the physical PCI drive itself, which remains the same regardless of how macOS perceives it, you know.

The "diagram" shows that while the physical hardware (e.g., an NVMe on a PCIe card) is constant, its *functional identity* within macOS changes dramatically based on whether the "innie" fix is applied. Both "innie" and "outie" drives share the same physical connection type (PCIe) and often the same raw performance capabilities. The difference lies entirely in the software layer—how macOS is told to interpret that connection. This is why the "innie" solution is so powerful; it bridges that perceptual gap, making the software align with the hardware's true nature, so.

This conceptual "v diagram" highlights the journey from a frustrating, externally perceived component to a fully integrated, internally recognized part of your Mac. It's a reminder that sometimes, the biggest improvements come not from new hardware, but from clever software solutions that simply help your system understand what's already there. It's pretty fascinating, actually, how a small piece of code can make such a big difference in how your entire system behaves.

Practical Steps and Considerations

Getting "innie" set up correctly involves a few key steps, especially if you're working with OpenCore. As mentioned, the preferred method is to inject "innie" and Lilu via OpenCore rather than placing them directly in `/Library/Extensions`. This approach offers better stability and compatibility with system updates, which is, you know, pretty important for a smooth experience. You should remove innie and lilu from /library/extensions and inject them with opencore.

One common concern for Mac users is System Integrity Protection (SIP). SIP is a security feature that helps protect core macOS files and processes from malicious modifications. In the past, some fixes for the "outie" problem required disabling SIP, which isn't ideal from a security standpoint. However, the good news is that "innie" seems to survive multiple reboots (both shutdown and restart) so for now I am leaving SIP fully enabled. This means you can enjoy the benefits of an "innie" drive without compromising your system's security, which is, like, a really big plus.

For users with a true CMP 5,1 running Catalina, or even the new Mac Pro (2019), "innie" has proven effective. The text specifically states that the "innie fix" is working with the new Mac Pro (2019). This broad compatibility makes it a valuable tool for a range of Mac users looking to optimize their storage setup. If you have catalina running on a true cmp 5,1, with opencore, and catalina is installed on an nvme attached to a syba pcie card, you can certainly benefit, so.

If you're thinking about installing an NVMe M.2 SSD, like a 960evo or 970evo, into a Tower Mac 5.1 (2010 mid) and making it bootable, "innie" is definitely a solution to consider. The process involves setting up OpenCore correctly and then ensuring Lilu and "innie" are properly injected. This will help ensure your NVMe is seen as a primary disk, allowing for seamless booting and operation. Take a look at the relevant guides and community resources for detailed instructions; they're very helpful, you know.

The Benefits of an "Innie" Drive

The advantages of transforming an "outie" PCI drive into a true "innie" are pretty significant. The most immediate benefit is that your NVMe drive, for example, will be seen as a primary disk. This is absolutely crucial for using it as your main boot drive, which means faster startup times and a snappier overall system response. It's like your Mac finally recognizes its full potential, so.

Another major plus is the ability to keep System Integrity Protection (SIP) fully enabled. As we discussed, security is paramount, and having to disable SIP for a fix is a compromise many users would rather avoid. The fact that "innie" allows you to maintain this important security feature while still getting your drives recognized internally is a huge win. Just to wrap things down, went back to reenabling sip, confirmed that nvme works, which is great.

Beyond bootability and security, having an "innie" drive just makes your system feel more cohesive. It removes those little quirks and inconsistencies that come with external drive recognition for internal components. Your drives will appear correctly in all system reports and utilities, simplifying management and troubleshooting. It truly integrates the hardware into the macOS ecosystem, which is, you know, what you really want from a premium machine.

This solution also supports a wider range of hardware configurations, including those useful SATA to PCI cards, thanks to experimental support updates. This means more users can benefit from the "innie" fix, regardless of their specific PCI expansion setup. It's a testament to the ongoing development and community effort behind these tools, providing real-world solutions for common user annoyances. Learn more about OpenCore on our site, and link to this page Lilu for more details, so.

Common Questions About Innie and Outie Drives

People often have questions when they're trying to sort out their internal drive recognition issues on macOS. Here are a few common ones, actually.

Does "innie" work with the latest macOS versions?

The text specifically mentions compatibility with Catalina and the new Mac Pro (2019), which suggests it works with relatively modern macOS versions for those systems. For the most current information, it's always a good idea to check the latest project updates or community forums, as these tools are often refined for newer macOS releases. They tend to be kept quite current, you know.

Is it safe to use "innie" with SIP enabled?

Yes, based on the provided information, "innie" seems to be designed to function correctly with System Integrity Protection (SIP) fully enabled. The text states, "innie seems to survive multiple reboots (both shutdown and restart) so for now i am leaving sip fully enabled," and "Just to wrap things down, went back to reenabling sip, confirmed that nvme." This indicates it's safe to keep SIP on, which is, obviously, a big security advantage.

Where can I find more detailed instructions for installing "innie"?

The text suggests, "You should remove innie and lilu from /library/extensions and inject them with opencore." For detailed, step-by-step instructions, you'd typically look for guides related to OpenCore setup for your specific Mac model, especially in communities focused on classic Mac Pros or Hackintosh builds. Websites like Dortania's OpenCore Post-Install Guide are excellent resources for this kind of information, so.