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Mac On VirtualBox

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    Ashlin Darius Govindasamy
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Mac On VirtualBox

Introduction

Running macOS on VirtualBox can be a valuable solution for developers and enthusiasts who need to test applications or explore macOS features without investing in dedicated Apple hardware. This guide walks you through the process of installing macOS on VirtualBox, detailing the prerequisites and step-by-step instructions to set up a functional virtual machine.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have the following requirements:

  • VirtualBox: The virtualization software to create and manage virtual machines.
  • VirtualBox Extension Pack: Adds additional functionalities to VirtualBox.
  • Hardware Requirements:
    • Storage: At least 100 GB of free disk space.
    • Memory: Minimum of 8 GB RAM.
    • CPU: 4 or more CPU cores.
    • Video Memory: 128 MB allocated to the virtual machine.
  • BIOS Settings: Virtualization technology (Intel VT-x or AMD-V) enabled in your system's BIOS.
  • macOS ISO Image: A legitimate macOS installation image.

Installation

Follow these steps to install macOS on VirtualBox:

Step 1: Download VirtualBox

  1. Visit the VirtualBox Downloads page.
  2. Download the latest version of VirtualBox suitable for your host operating system.
  3. Install VirtualBox by following the on-screen instructions.

Step 2: Download VirtualBox Extension Pack

  1. On the same Downloads page, locate the VirtualBox Extension Pack section.
  2. Download the Extension Pack matching your VirtualBox version.
  3. Open VirtualBox, navigate to File > Preferences > Extensions.
  4. Click the Add new package button and select the downloaded Extension Pack.
  5. Follow the prompts to complete the installation.

Step 3: Download macOS ISO Image

  1. Obtain a legitimate macOS ISO image. You can create one from an official macOS installer or download it from reputable sources.
  2. Ensure the ISO image is compatible with VirtualBox.

Step 4: Create a New Virtual Machine

  1. Open VirtualBox and click on the New button.
  2. Name and Operating System:
    • Name: Enter a name for your virtual machine (e.g., "macOS VM").
    • Type: Select Mac OS X.
    • Version: Choose the macOS version corresponding to your ISO image (e.g., Mac OS X (64-bit)).
  3. Memory Size: Allocate at least 8 GB of RAM.
  4. Hard Disk:
    • Select Create a virtual hard disk now.
    • Click Create.
  5. Hard Disk File Type: Choose VDI (VirtualBox Disk Image).
  6. Storage on Physical Hard Disk: Select Dynamically allocated.
  7. File Location and Size: Set the disk size to 100 GB and choose a storage location.
  8. Click Create to finalize the virtual machine setup.

Step 5: Configure the Virtual Machine for macOS

To ensure macOS runs smoothly on VirtualBox, some additional configurations are necessary:

  1. Open Terminal or Command Prompt as Administrator.
  2. Navigate to VirtualBox Directory:
    • Windows:
      cd "C:\Program Files\Oracle\VirtualBox\"
    • macOS/Linux:
      cd /Applications/VirtualBox.app/Contents/MacOS/
  3. Execute Configuration Commands: Replace "macOS VM" with the exact name of your virtual machine.
    VBoxManage.exe modifyvm "macOS VM" --cpuidset 00000001 000106e5 00100800 0098e3fd bfebfbff
VBoxManage setextradata "macOS VM" "VBoxInternal/Devices/efi/0/Config/DmiSystemProduct" "iMac11,3"
VBoxManage setextradata "macOS VM" "VBoxInternal/Devices/efi/0/Config/DmiSystemVersion" "1.0"
VBoxManage setextradata "macOS VM" "VBoxInternal/Devices/efi/0/Config/DmiBoardProduct" "Iloveapple"
VBoxManage setextradata "macOS VM" "VBoxInternal/Devices/smc/0/Config/DeviceKey" "ourhardworkbythesewordsguardedpleasedontsteal(c)AppleComputerInc"
VBoxManage setextradata "macOS VM" "VBoxInternal/Devices/smc/0/Config/GetKeyFromRealSMC" 1

Step 6: Assign the macOS ISO Image to the Virtual Machine

  1. In VirtualBox, select your macOS virtual machine and click on Settings.
  2. Navigate to Storage.
  3. Under Storage Devices, click on the Empty optical drive.
  4. Click the Choose a disk file button (represented by a disk icon).
  5. Select your downloaded macOS ISO image.
  6. Click OK to apply the changes.

Step 7: Start the Virtual Machine

  1. Select your macOS virtual machine in VirtualBox.
  2. Click the Start button.
  3. The virtual machine will boot from the assigned ISO image, initiating the macOS installation process.

Step 8: Install macOS

  1. Follow the on-screen instructions to install macOS.
  2. When prompted, select the virtual hard disk you created earlier as the installation destination.
  3. Complete the installation by setting up your user account and preferences.

Note: The macOS installation process within VirtualBox is similar to installing it on a physical Mac. Ensure you follow each step carefully to avoid installation issues.

Conclusion

Installing macOS on VirtualBox provides a flexible environment for testing and development without the need for dedicated Apple hardware. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can set up a functional macOS virtual machine, enabling you to test your website or applications in a macOS environment seamlessly.

Disclaimer: Installing macOS on non-Apple hardware may violate Apple's End User License Agreement (EULA). Ensure you have the rights and permissions to perform this installation.