How to Run macOS Big Sur on VMware Fusion

Edited 4 weeks ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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In this guide, we will walk you through the process of running macOS Big Sur on VMware Fusion. This is useful when you want to test this macOS version in a virtual environment. VMware Fusion is a popular application that allows you to run multiple operating systems simultaneously on your Mac. We will provide detailed step-by-step instructions to help you set up a virtual machine for macOS Big Sur. Please make sure you have access to the required materials and follow each step carefully for a successful installation.

Requirements

Before we begin, there are a few requirements you must have or meet to successfully run macOS Big Sur on VMware Fusion.

• VMware Fusion: You'll need a working installation of VMware Fusion on your Mac. The latest version of VMware Fusion typically offers better support for the latest macOS versions.
• macOS Big Sur installer: Get the macOS Big Sur installer from the App Store or your developer account. It can come in a variety of formats, but we'll be using the macOS Installer application.
• Mac computers: Make sure your system meets the requirements to comfortably run both VMware Fusion and macOS virtual machines. Adequate disk space and RAM are important.

Step 1: Install VMware Fusion

First, you need to make sure that you have VMware Fusion installed on your computer. If you have not installed VMware Fusion, you can download it from the official website of VMware. Follow the installation instructions provided by VMware to complete the installation process.

Step 2: Download the macOS Big Sur installer

To run macOS Big Sur on VMware Fusion, you'll need the Big Sur installation package. Here's how to get it:

• Open the App Store on your Mac.
• Search for macOS Big Sur and click Get to download the installer.
• After the download is complete, the installer will launch automatically. Close the installer instead of continuing the installation on your host machine.

Step 3: Create a bootable ISO image for macOS Big Sur

To make VMware Fusion work with a macOS installation, you must convert the installer to a bootable ISO image. Follow these steps:

1. Launch the Terminal application in Launchpad.

2. In the terminal, create a temporary directory where the installation files will be placed by executing the following command:

# Create a temporary directory
mkdir /tmp/BigSur

3. Use the createinstallmedia command provided in the macOS installer to create the image.

# Create installation media in the temporary directory
sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Big\ Sur.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/BigSurInstall --nointeraction

4. Convert the installer to ISO format:

# Create a disk image and mount it
hdiutil create -o /tmp/BigSur.cdr -size 15000m -layout SPUD -fs HFS+J
hdiutil attach /tmp/BigSur.cdr.dmg -noverify -mountpoint /Volumes/install_build
# Copy the installer files to the mounted image
sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Big\ Sur.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/install_build --nointeraction
# Detach the image
hdiutil detach /Volumes/Install\ macOS\ Big\ Sur
# Convert the cdr to ISO
hdiutil convert /tmp/BigSur.cdr.dmg -format UDTO -o ~/Desktop/BigSur.iso
# Move and rename the ISO file
mv ~/Desktop/BigSur.iso.cdr ~/Desktop/BigSur.iso

You now have the Big Sur installer as a bootable ISO image on your desktop for use with VMware Fusion.

Step 4: Set up a new virtual machine in VMware Fusion

Next, you'll create a new virtual machine in VMware Fusion:

1. Open VMware Fusion.
2. Click File > New to begin creating a new VM.
3. Select Install from disc or image and click Continue.
4. Drag and drop the Big Sur ISO file onto VMware Fusion or locate it using the browser button to add it.
5. After the ISO is detected, click Continue.
6. Select the operating system macOS 11 and click Continue.
7. Allocate resources to the virtual machine. It is usually advisable to provide at least 4GB of RAM and 2 CPU cores, but this depends on your system specifications. Click Continue after setting the values.
8. Finish setup and click Save. Choose a name and location for your virtual machine file.

Step 5: Start the macOS Big Sur installation

Now that you have set up the virtual machine environment, proceed to install macOS Big Sur:

1. Select the newly created virtual machine from the VMware Fusion library.
2. Click the Play button to start the VM.
3. Your VM will boot from the ISO image that contains the macOS Big Sur installation.
4. Go through the installation process: select the installation language, agree to the terms and conditions, and select a virtual hard disk to install macOS Big Sur.
5. Wait for the installation to complete. It may take some time depending on your system resources.
6. After installation, your VM will reboot, and you should see the macOS setup screen. Follow the instructions to configure your macOS settings such as region, keyboard, and network.

Step 6: Post-installation steps

After the successful installation, there are still a few more steps to make sure macOS Big Sur runs smoothly on VMware Fusion.

• Install VMware Tools: This utility provides better integration, allowing features like shared folders and improved graphics. In VMware Fusion, go to Virtual Machine > Install VMware Tools. Follow the installation steps inside macOS to enable these features.
• Adjust settings: You can go into the virtual machine settings and adjust some configurations like memory allocation, graphics, and other hardware settings to optimize performance.
• Update macOS: It's always advisable to keep your version of macOS up to date, including any important security updates. You can do this by going to System Preferences and Software Update.

Troubleshooting tips

If you encounter any problems during or after installation, consider the following troubleshooting suggestions:

• Compatibility and version: Make sure your version of VMware Fusion and macOS Big Sur are compatible.
• Performance issues: If the VM performs poorly, consider increasing the allocated resources or reducing the number of applications running on the host machine.
• Installation errors: Double-check your installation ISO and try rebuilding the image if necessary.
• Log files: Examine the log files in VMware Fusion for any detailed error messages that may indicate a problem.

Conclusion

Running macOS Big Sur on VMware Fusion is a powerful way to enjoy macOS while using it for testing, learning, or development alongside other operating systems. Following these steps, from setting up VMware Fusion, creating the installation ISO, to the final installation of macOS Big Sur, provides a rich and reliable testing environment. With careful setup and configuration, this virtual machine can accurately and efficiently replicate the macOS Big Sur experience. Explore the possibilities and advantages VMware Fusion offers for running macOS on your virtual environment.

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