SBIG Legacy USB Cameras on macOS 11 (Big Sur)

Terminal instructions are in bold.

Mac users who updated to macOS 11.0.x (Big Sur) on a Mac with an Intel processor will not be able to install the SBIG drivers using the "SBIG Universal Driver Installer 4r84" to operate the legacy USB cameras i.e.(ST-7/8/10/402/i/8300/etc.). Further, since the System Drive is now locked down and cryptographically signed, the instructions I wrote for macOS Catalina are not valid for Big Sur. That's okay, because the method for Big Sur is actually easier to a small degree.

If you purchased a new, 2020 Mac mini, MacBook Air or MacBook Pro with Apple Silicon a.k.a(processor, SoC), these instructions will work for later cameras such as the ST-i and the STF-8300; however, will not work for the legacy USB cameras.

I note for the good folks at SBIG... if someone could compile the SBIGUSBLoader.kext for the arm64 architecture, the legacy USB cameras would work fine on Apple Silicon. Just a thought.


IMPORTANT - Before proceeding, you must disable SIP by booting your Mac into Recovery Mode. The method is different between Intel and Apple Silicon Macs.

- On Intel Macs; shutdown the computer; power it back on and immediately hold down the Command + R keys until you see the Apple logo and a progress indicator. It can take a while to boot into Recovery Mode.

- On the new Macs with Apple Silicon; shutdown the computer; power it up while continuing to hold down the power button; when you see the Options logo (looks like a gear) on the screen; release the power button; click on Options. It can take up to 30 seconds before you see the Options logo; so, keep holding the power button down and don't get discouraged.

- Once you've made it to Recovery Mode, launch Terminal from the "Utilities" menu.

- In Terminal, type: csrutil disable

- Let the process finish. It will let you know that you must restart the computer to apply the settings...or something along those lines.

- Restart the computer.



* The latest SBIG driver set is 4r84, which is the basis for these instructions. (ftp://ftp.sbig.com/pub/SBIGDriverInstallerUniv.dmg)

* The following steps assume that all files and folders are either downloaded, moved to, or created on the Desktop.


1. Download the latest SBIGDriverInstallerUniv.dmg from SBIG and copy it to the Desktop.

2. Mount the driver installer disk image (SBIGDriverInstallerUniv.dmg) by double-clicking its icon.

3. From the Finder window that opens, drag the "SBIG Universal Driver Installer 4r84" package file to the Desktop.

4. Open Terminal and navigate to the Desktop: cd ~/Desktop

5. Expand the package file to a new folder: pkgutil --expand-full SBIG\ Universal\ Driver\ Installer\ 4r84.pkg SBIGDriver


Now you can begin copying the files associated with the SBIG driver. Continuing in Terminal...


6. cd ~/Desktop/SBIGDriver/filestoinstall.pkg/Payload/Library/Frameworks

7. sudo cp -R SBIGUDrv.framework /Library/Frameworks

8. cd ~/Desktop/SBIGDriver/filestoinstall.pkg/Payload/System/Library/Extensions

9. sudo cp -R SBIGUSBEDriver.kext /Library/Extensions

10. sudo cp -R SBIGUSBLoader.kext /Library/Extensions

11. sudo cp stfga.bin /Library/Extensions


Change the ownership of the copied files to root.


12. cd /Library/Frameworks

13. sudo chown -R root:wheel SBIGUDrv.framework

14. cd /Library/Extensions

15. sudo chown -R root:wheel stfga.bin

16. sudo chown -R root:wheel SBIGUSB*

At this point, Big Sur will prompt you to open System Preferences and approve the registration of the kernel extensions. Do so.

17. Important: Reboot your Mac

That's it. Once the computer reboots, you should have full access to your SBIG cameras and accessories.


Best Regards,
Don