MacBookAir8,2 - Opening Sound Settings causes kernel crash (Ubuntu 24.04, linux-t2 7.1.3)

[innovatorjiten]

Hardware

• Model: MacBookAir8,2 (2018)
• T2 chip
• Intel UHD Graphics 617

Software

• Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (Noble)
• linux-t2 7.1.3-1-noble
• apple-t2-audio-config installed
• apple-firmware-script installed
• Apple firmware extracted using get-apple-firmware (Recovery Image option)

Working

• Keyboard
• Trackpad
• Wi-Fi
• Camera
• Bluetooth
• Speakers
• Microphone

Audio playback works normally (YouTube, speaker-test, etc.).

Problem

Opening the GNOME Settings → Sound panel immediately causes a kernel break / hard lock.

The same happens when opening pavucontrol.

The machine becomes unusable and must be rebooted.

All other GNOME Control Center panels (Wi-Fi, Display, Power, etc.) work normally.

Diagnostics

aplay -l correctly detects the Apple T2 Audio device.

wpctl status shows the Apple Audio Device speakers and microphones correctly.

amixer -c 0 scontrols returns no controls.

amixer -c 0 contents only reports:

numid=1,iface=CARD,name='Codec Output Jack'

Kernel repeatedly logs:

aaudio_pcm_pointer while not started

No obvious kernel panic or call trace is stored in journalctl, but interacting with the audio control interface consistently triggers the crash.

Steps to reproduce

1. Fresh install of Ubuntu 24.04 LTS.
2. Install linux-t2 7.1.3-1-noble.
3. Install apple-t2-audio-config.
4. Extract Apple firmware using get-apple-firmware.
5. Boot normally.
6. Open Settings → Sound or run pavucontrol.

Expected result:
Sound settings open normally.

Actual result:
System hard-locks / kernel break and requires reboot.

I can provide additional logs or test patches if needed.