How to Install macOS on Linux

The idea of running macOS within a Linux environment might seem counterintuitive to some, given their distinct origins and primary user bases. However, for developers, enthusiasts, and those requiring cross-platform compatibility for specific applications or testing scenarios, this is a viable, albeit complex, endeavor. This guide delves into the technical intricacies of achieving this by leveraging virtualization technologies. It’s important to preface this by stating that officially, Apple does not support or license macOS to run on non-Apple hardware or within virtual machines on non-Apple operating systems. Therefore, this process involves workarounds and is primarily for educational and experimental purposes.

Understanding the Challenges and Prerequisites

Running macOS on a Linux host is not a straightforward plug-and-play operation. Several significant hurdles must be overcome:

Hardware Compatibility

macOS is meticulously designed to run on specific Apple hardware. This tight integration means that many hardware components common in standard PC builds (e.g., certain motherboards, network cards, graphics processing units) are not natively supported by macOS. When virtualizing, the hypervisor acts as an intermediary, translating requests from the guest OS (macOS) to the host hardware. However, if the underlying hardware lacks macOS driver support, even virtualization can struggle.

Licensing Restrictions

Apple’s End User License Agreement (EULA) for macOS explicitly states that the operating system is intended to be installed and operated only on Apple-branded hardware. Running it on non-Apple hardware, including within virtual machines on a Linux host, violates these terms. This guide is provided for informational and experimental purposes only.

Virtualization Software Selection

The choice of virtualization software is critical. While several options exist for Linux, not all effectively support macOS as a guest operating system. The most commonly used and recommended hypervisors for this task are:

• VirtualBox: A free and open-source virtualization software developed by Oracle. It’s widely available on Linux and offers a good balance of features and ease of use, although macOS guests can be finicky.
• VMware Workstation Player/Pro: VMware is a commercial product (with a free Player version for non-commercial use) that generally offers more robust performance and better hardware compatibility for various guest operating systems, including macOS. Its paid versions often provide more advanced features beneficial for complex setups.
• KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine): KVM is a virtualization infrastructure built into the Linux kernel. It’s powerful and offers excellent performance but requires more technical expertise to configure, especially for macOS guests.

Host System Requirements

To successfully run macOS in a virtual machine, your Linux host system needs to meet certain minimum specifications:

• Sufficient RAM: macOS, even in a virtualized environment, requires a significant amount of RAM. A minimum of 8GB is recommended for the host, with at least 4GB allocated to the virtual machine. More is always better.
• Powerful CPU: A modern multi-core processor is essential. macOS virtualization is CPU-intensive. Ensure your CPU supports virtualization extensions (Intel VT-x or AMD-V), which should be enabled in your system’s BIOS/UEFI.
• Ample Disk Space: macOS installations can be large, and the virtual disk image will grow as you install applications. Allocate at least 50-70GB of free space on your host’s storage, preferably an SSD for better performance.
• Compatible GPU: While macOS guests can often run with basic graphics, dedicated graphics acceleration can significantly improve user experience. However, passthrough of modern GPUs to macOS guests can be challenging.

Installing macOS via VirtualBox: A Detailed Approach

VirtualBox is often the go-to for many attempting this setup due to its accessibility. However, it requires specific configuration tweaks to convince macOS it’s running on Apple hardware.

Obtaining the macOS Installer

This is perhaps the most ethically gray area of the entire process. As Apple does not distribute macOS for installation on non-Apple hardware, you will need to acquire an installer image. Legitimate methods involve downloading the installer from the App Store on an actual Mac and then converting it into a format suitable for virtualization (e.g., an ISO or DMG file). There are numerous guides available online detailing how to create a bootable macOS installer ISO from an App Store download. It is imperative that you understand and comply with the EULA and copyright laws in your jurisdiction.

Preparing VirtualBox and the VM

1. Install VirtualBox: Ensure you have the latest stable version of VirtualBox installed on your Linux distribution. Also, install the VirtualBox Extension Pack, which provides essential features like USB 2.0/3.0 support and RDP.

2. Create a New Virtual Machine:

   • Open VirtualBox and click “New.”
   • Name your VM (e.g., “macOS Ventura”).
   • Set the “Type” to “Mac OS X.”
   • Set the “Version” to match the macOS installer you have (e.g., “Mac OS X (64-bit)” or a specific version like “macOS 11.0 Big Sur (64-bit)”).
   • Allocate RAM (at least 4GB, 8GB or more is ideal).
   • Create a new virtual hard disk. Choose VDI (VirtualBox Disk Image), dynamically allocated, and set its size (at least 50-70GB).

3. Configure VM Settings:

   • System -> Motherboard: Uncheck “Floppy.” Increase “Base Memory” if possible.
   • System -> Processor: Allocate at least 2 CPU cores. Check “PAE/NX.”
   • Display -> Screen: Set “Video Memory” to the maximum (128MB). Enable “3D Acceleration” if your host supports it, though it’s often unstable for macOS guests.
   • Storage: Select the virtual CD/DVD drive and point it to your macOS installer ISO.
   • USB: Enable USB 3.0 (xHCI) Controller.

Applying macOS-Specific Patches

Without specific modifications, VirtualBox will report generic hardware, which macOS will reject. You need to apply custom VBoxManage commands to spoof Apple hardware. These commands are executed from your Linux host’s terminal while the VM is powered off.

Open a terminal and navigate to the VirtualBox installation directory if it’s not in your PATH. Then, run the following commands, replacing "Your VM Name" with the exact name you gave your virtual machine in VirtualBox:

VBoxManage modifyvm "Your VM Name" --cpuidset 00000001 000106e5 00100800 00986382 00000001
VBoxManage setextradata "Your VM Name" "VBoxInternal/Devices/efi/0/Config/DmiSystemProduct" "iMacPro1,1"
VBoxManage setextradata "Your VM Name" "VBoxInternal/Devices/efi/0/Config/DmiBoardProduct" "Mac-7BA5B2D9E42DDD94"
VBoxManage setextradata "Your VM Name" "VBoxInternal/Devices/smc/0/Config/DeviceKey" "ourhardworkbythesewordsguardedpleasedontsteal(c)AppleComputerInc"
VBoxManage setextradata "Your VM Name" "VBoxInternal/Devices/smc/0/Config/GetKeyFromRealSMC" 1
VBoxManage setextradata "Your VM Name" "VBoxInternal/Devices/efi/0/Config/DmiSystemVersion" "1.0"
VBoxManage setextradata "Your VM Name" "VBoxInternal/Devices/efi/0/Config/DmiBoardVersion" "1.0"
VBoxManage setextradata "Your VM Name" "VBoxInternal/Devices/smc/0/Config/DropMCESpoof" "1"
VBoxManage setextradata "Your VM Name" "VBoxInternal/Devices/efi/0/Config/DmiFactoryConfiguration" "SMBIOS 3.0.0"
VBoxManage setextradata "Your VM Name" "VBoxInternal/Devices/efi/0/Config/DmiFirmwareVendor" "Apple Inc."
VBoxManage setextradata "Your VM Name" "VBoxInternal/Devices/efi/0/Config/DmiFirmwareVersion" "1037.120.44.0.0"
VBoxManage setextradata "Your VM Name" "VBoxInternal/Devices/efi/0/Config/DmiFirmwareDate" "2023-10-26T00:00:00"

Note: The DmiSystemProduct and DmiBoardProduct values are critical and often need to be specific to the macOS version you’re installing. Research current recommendations for your specific macOS version if these don’t work.

Installing macOS

1. Start the VM: Power on your newly configured virtual machine. It should boot from the macOS installer ISO.
2. Disk Utility: When the macOS Utilities screen appears, select “Disk Utility.”
3. Format the Virtual Disk:
   • In Disk Utility, click “View” and select “Show All Devices.”
   • Select the virtual hard drive (it will likely be named something like “VBOX HARDDISK Media”).
   • Click “Erase.”
   • For “Name,” enter “Macintosh HD.”
   • For “Format,” choose “APFS.”
   • For “Scheme,” choose “GUID Partition Map.”
   • Click “Erase.” Close Disk Utility.
4. Install macOS: Select “Install macOS” from the Utilities screen and proceed with the installation. Choose the “Macintosh HD” you just formatted as the destination. The installation process will take a considerable amount of time, involving multiple reboots.
5. Initial Setup: After installation, you’ll go through the standard macOS setup screens.

Post-Installation: VirtualBox Guest Additions (or equivalent)

Unlike other operating systems, there isn’t a direct “VirtualBox Guest Additions” package for macOS that provides seamless integration (like dynamic screen resizing, shared folders, or clipboard sharing). However, you can achieve some level of integration through manual configuration and scripts.

• Screen Resolution: Often, macOS VMs are stuck at low resolutions. You may need to run further VBoxManage commands to set a preferred resolution for the virtual display. For example:
  bash
VBoxManage setextradata "Your VM Name" "VBoxInternal2/EfiGraphicsResolution" "1920x1080"

  (Replace 1920x1080 with your desired resolution). You might need to experiment with different resolutions.
• Shared Folders: Setting up shared folders between Linux and macOS guests in VirtualBox can be challenging. It often involves mounting SMB shares or using third-party tools, as direct shared folder integration like with Windows or Linux guests is not readily available.
• USB Devices: Ensure USB devices you want to use are correctly passed through to the VM via the VirtualBox GUI’s USB settings.

Alternative: VMware Workstation Player

VMware often provides a more stable and feature-rich experience for macOS guests, though it also requires some initial patching.

Obtaining the macOS Installer

Same as for VirtualBox: you need a macOS installer ISO.

Preparing VMware Workstation Player

1. Install VMware Workstation Player: Download and install VMware Workstation Player on your Linux system.
2. Create a New VM:
   • Launch VMware Workstation Player and click “Create a New Virtual Machine.”
   • Choose “Installer disc image file (iso)” and browse to your macOS installer ISO.
   • Crucially, VMware will likely not recognize macOS as a compatible OS at this stage. You might need to click “I will install the operating system later.”
   • Guest Operating System: Select “Apple Mac OS X” and choose the appropriate version (e.g., “macOS 11.0 Big Sur”).
   • Name the VM and choose its location.
   • Disk Capacity: Allocate at least 50-70GB. Select “Store virtual disk as a single file” or “Split virtual disk into multiple files” based on your preference.
   • Customize Hardware:
     • Memory: Allocate at least 4GB, ideally 8GB or more.
     • Processors: Assign at least 2 cores.
     • CD/DVD: Ensure it’s connected and pointing to your ISO.
     • USB Controller: Select USB 2.0 or 3.0.

Applying VMware Patches

VMware, like VirtualBox, requires patching to boot macOS. This is typically done by modifying the .vmx configuration file of the virtual machine.

1. Locate the .vmx file: After creating the VM, navigate to the directory where you saved its files. You’ll find a file ending in .vmx (e.g., macOS Big Sur.vmx).

2. Edit the .vmx file: Open this file with a text editor (e.g., nano, vim, gedit).

3. Add the following lines: At the end of the file, add these lines:

   .encoding = "UTF-8"
   config.version = "8"
   virtualHW.version = "19" # Adjust based on your VMware version if needed
   displayName = "macOS Big Sur" # Use your VM's display name
   guestOS = "darwin-64"
   mem.hotadd = "TRUE"
   scsi0.virtualDev = "lsilogic"
   mclock.id = "12345678901234567890" # Can be any random string
   vmci0.present = "TRUE"
   vmci0.enabled = "TRUE"
   usb.present = "TRUE"
   usb.generic.allowHID = "TRUE"
   usb.autoConnect.device0 = "path:0/1/2/3 autoConnect:true" # Example for USB
   apple.checkInstallFromISO = "TRUE" # Important for ISO booting
   
   # For newer macOS versions, this might be necessary
   smc.version = "0"
   smc.present = "TRUE"
   

   Note: The virtualHW.version might need adjustment based on your VMware Player version. Values typically range from 10 to 21 for recent versions.

4. Save and Close: Save the .vmx file.

Installing macOS in VMware

1. Start the VM: Open the .vmx file in VMware Workstation Player. The VM should boot from the macOS installer.
2. Disk Utility: Similar to VirtualBox, when the macOS Utilities screen appears, select “Disk Utility.”
3. Format the Virtual Disk: Erase the virtual hard disk, format it as APFS with GUID Partition Map, and name it “Macintosh HD.”
4. Install macOS: Proceed with the installation onto the formatted disk.

Post-Installation: VMware Tools

VMware offers “VMware Tools” which, when installed on a macOS guest, provide significantly better integration than VirtualBox’s offering.

1. Install VMware Tools: After macOS has booted for the first time, go to the “VM” menu in VMware Workstation Player and select “Install VMware Tools.” This will mount a virtual CD image within macOS.
2. Run the Installer: Open the mounted “VMware Tools” drive in Finder and run the installer package. Follow the on-screen prompts. You may need to grant permissions in macOS’s Security & Privacy settings.
3. Reboot: After installation, restart your macOS virtual machine. You should now have features like better screen resolution, drag-and-drop (sometimes), and clipboard sharing.

Final Considerations and Troubleshooting

• Performance: Even with optimizations, a virtualized macOS on non-Apple hardware will rarely match the performance of native macOS on a Mac. Expect lag, especially for graphically intensive tasks.
• Updates: macOS updates can break your virtual machine setup. Major version upgrades are particularly risky. It’s advisable to back up your VM before attempting any system updates.
• Graphics Acceleration: True 3D graphics acceleration is notoriously difficult to achieve with macOS guests on non-Apple hardware, even with passthrough. Most virtualized setups rely on software rendering.
• Audio and Networking: While generally functional, these can sometimes require extra configuration or troubleshooting if not working out-of-the-box. Ensure the correct network adapter type is selected in VM settings (e.g., NAT or Bridged).
• Community Support: The internet is your best resource. Websites and forums dedicated to macOS virtualization on non-Apple hardware are invaluable for finding specific solutions to errors and compatibility issues. The commands and configurations are constantly evolving.

Installing macOS on Linux is a journey for the technically inclined. It offers a fascinating glimpse into the underlying architecture of macOS and a flexible environment for specific development or testing needs, provided you are aware of the technical challenges, licensing implications, and potential instability.