How to Run macOS on Virtual Machine

Edited 2 weeks ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

macOSVirtual MachineVirtualizationSoftwareInstallationAppleWindowsLinuxComputerEmulation

Running macOS on a virtual machine can be an attractive and useful way to experiment with the macOS environment without purchasing an actual Mac computer. This method allows developers to test software on macOS, enables hobbyists to explore a different operating system, and facilitates other practical uses such as troubleshooting or training. Below is a comprehensive, step-by-step guide on how you can run macOS on a virtual machine.

Understanding virtual machines

A virtual machine (VM) is a simulation of a computer system. With a VM, you can run different operating systems (OS) on your existing hardware, which means you can run Windows, Linux, and macOS simultaneously on the same physical machine. This setup is great for testing and development because it provides isolation between different environments.

Choosing the right virtual machine software

To get started, you need to choose a virtual machine software that supports macOS. Two popular applications are:

• VirtualBox: An open source and free virtual machine platform that supports multiple operating systems.
• VMware Workstation Player: A robust and reliable platform but its free version has limitations compared to the paid version.

For this guide, we will be using VirtualBox due to its open-source nature and wide support from the user community, which is helpful in troubleshooting.

System requirements

Before you get started, make sure your system meets these minimum specifications:

• At least 8 GB RAM (16 GB better).
• 50 GB free disk space.
• Virtualization technology enabled Intel-based CPU.

Steps to run macOS on VirtualBox

Step 1: Download the required files

You'll need a few resources to create a macOS virtual machine:

1. VirtualBox: Download and install from the official website.
2. VirtualBox Extension Pack: Extends USB capabilities and other features for VirtualBox.
3. macOS image: Download the macOS image file; however, be aware that downloading macOS from unauthorized sources may violate Apple's End User License Agreement. Whenever possible, you are encouraged to use the macOS installation provided by Apple.

Step 2: Install VirtualBox and Extension Pack

1. Follow the installation wizard to install VirtualBox on your PC.
2. After installation, open VirtualBox and go to File -> Preferences -> Extensions.
3. Click the plus button to install the VirtualBox Extension Pack you downloaded earlier.

Step 3: Create a new virtual machine

1. Launch VirtualBox and click New to create a new VM.
2. Enter the name for your VM and select macOS X as the type and macOS (64-bit) as the version.
3. Allocate at least 4GB of RAM, although 8GB is recommended for performance.
4. Create a new virtual hard disk and allocate at least 50GB of space for it.

Step 4: Configure the virtual machine

1. Once the VM is created, select it and click on Settings.
2. Go to System and make sure the Enable EFI setting is checked under the Motherboard tab.
3. Under the Processor tab, select at least 2 CPUs.
4. In the Display menu, increase the video memory to 128MB.
5. Attach your macOS image to the VM. Under Storage, click the empty disk icon and add the macOS image file.

Step 5: Perform command-line edits for compatibility

Before you can run macOS, you'll need to enter a few command-line instructions to enhance compatibility:

Open Command Prompt as administrator and run the following command:

cd "C:\Program Files\Oracle\VirtualBox\"
VBoxManage.exe modifyvm "Your VM Name" --cpuidset 00000001 000306a9 00020800 80000201 178bfbff
VBoxManage setextradata "Your VM Name" "VBoxInternal/Devices/efi/0/Config/DmiSystemProduct" "iMac11,3"
VBoxManage setextradata "Your VM Name" "VBoxInternal/Devices/efi/0/Config/DmiSystemVersion" "1.0"
VBoxManage setextradata "Your VM Name" "VBoxInternal/Devices/efi/0/Config/DmiBoardProduct" "Iloveapple"
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 modifyvm "Your VM Name" --cpu-profile "Intel Core i7-6700K"

Step 6: Start your macOS virtual machine

Return to VirtualBox, select your macOS VM, and click Start. This should begin the boot process into macOS setup.

Step 7: Install macOS

1. Once booted, you will see the macOS installation screen. Select Disk Utility and set up your virtual disk.
2. Format the virtual hard disk and proceed with the installation.

The installation may take some time depending on your machine configuration.

Common problems and troubleshooting

Here are some common problems you may encounter and their possible solutions:

• Boot loop or stuck on the Apple logo:
  • Check if your VirtualBox can properly support your CPU instruction set.
  • Revisit the command-line settings to make sure no typos exist.
• Performance is slow:
  • Make sure you allocate enough RAM and CPU resources to the VM.
  • Increase graphical performance by maxing out video memory settings in VirtualBox.

Legal considerations

It is important to remember that running macOS on non-Apple hardware may violate Apple's End User License Agreement (EULA). Reading the terms of the EULA is essential to ensure compliance with Apple's usage policies. This guide is purely for educational purposes, advocating the legitimate operation of the software.

Conclusion

Running macOS on a virtual machine can be highly beneficial for developers, educators, and enthusiasts who need a separate macOS environment for various purposes. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can create your own macOS VM on Windows using VirtualBox. However, always keep ethical and legal considerations in mind to ensure compliance with all software agreements. Enjoy virtualizing!

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