5 Steps to Run macOS on VirtualBox

Running macOS on VirtualBox
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Are you an Apple aficionado who yearns to experience the sleek and user-friendly interface of macOS without shelling out for a pricey Mac machine? Look no further than virtual machines! Using virtualization software such as VirtualBox, you can create a virtual environment on your Windows PC that runs macOS. This opens up a world of possibilities for developers, designers, and anyone who wants to explore the Apple ecosystem without investing in a dedicated Mac.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the intricacies of running macOS on VirtualBox. We’ll start by covering the prerequisites, such as the hardware requirements and software downloads. Then, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of creating a virtual machine, installing macOS, and configuring it to run seamlessly on your PC. Moreover, we’ll provide troubleshooting tips to help you overcome any challenges you may encounter along the way.

Embark on this virtual adventure and unlock the power of macOS on your Windows PC. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or a curious enthusiast, this guide will empower you to create a fully functional macOS environment that meets your needs. Let’s dive right in and explore the exciting world of virtualizing macOS with VirtualBox!

Configuring Virtual Machine Settings

Once you have downloaded and installed VirtualBox, you can begin configuring your virtual machine. Follow these steps to create a new virtual machine and install macOS on it:

1. Creating a New Virtual Machine

Click on the “New” button in the VirtualBox window. This will open the “Create Virtual Machine” wizard. Enter a name for your virtual machine, such as “macOS”, and select “Mac OS X” as the operating system type. Choose an appropriate version of macOS from the drop-down menu. Click “Continue” to proceed.

2. Configuring Memory and Processor

In the “Memory size” field, specify the amount of RAM you want to allocate to your virtual machine. macOS requires at least 4GB of RAM to run smoothly, but 8GB or more is recommended for optimal performance. Select an appropriate number of processors from the “Processors” drop-down menu. macOS supports up to 8 virtual processors, but most users will only need 2 or 4. Configure Other Additional Settings

Option Recommended Value
Graphics Controller VBoxSVGA
Audio Controller Intel HDA
Network Adapter NAT (Bridged)
Storage Controller SATA
Storage Size At least 64GB

3. Creating a Virtual Hard Drive

Click on the “Create” button to start the virtual hard drive creation process. Select “VDI (VirtualBox Disk Image)” as the disk image format and choose a location to store the virtual hard drive file. Enter a size for the virtual hard drive, which should be at least 64GB for macOS. Click “Create” to finish creating the virtual hard drive.

Virtual Machine Settings

  • Allocate sufficient RAM to the virtual machine (at least 4GB for macOS).
  • Assign the appropriate number of virtual processors (at least 2).

Guest Additions Installation

  • Enable 3D acceleration and seamless mode for enhanced graphics and mouse cursor integration.
  • Install the VirtualBox Guest Additions for macOS to improve performance and usability.

Audio Configuration

  • Configure the virtual audio card with the Audio Driver AC97.
  • Ensure the "Enable Audio Output" option is selected for seamless audio playback from within the guest operating system.

Mouse and Keyboard Integration

  • Use the VBoxMouse integration feature for smooth and responsive mouse movements within the virtual machine.
  • Configure the keyboard layout to match the host operating system’s keyboard to avoid any discrepancies.

File Sharing and Networking

  • Share host folders with the virtual machine to easily transfer files between the two systems.
  • Configure the virtual network adapter in Bridged Mode to allow the virtual machine to access the host network and the internet.

Troubleshooting

  • Enable logging and check the VirtualBox log files to identify any errors or issues.
  • Use the "Safe Mode" option to boot into the virtual machine with minimal settings if it fails to boot normally.

Advanced Tips

  • Set the video memory size to the recommended value or higher to improve graphics performance.
  • Enable VT-x/AMD-V hardware virtualization for improved overall performance.
  • Use a dedicated virtual disk for the virtual machine to minimize disk latency and improve performance.
  • Regularly update VirtualBox and macOS guest additions to ensure compatibility and stability.
  • Monitor the virtual machine’s resource usage to identify performance bottlenecks and adjust settings accordingly.

How to Run macOS on VirtualBox

VirtualBox is a popular virtualization software that allows you to run multiple operating systems on a single computer. This can be useful for testing software, running legacy applications, or simply experimenting with different operating systems.

macOS is the operating system used on Apple computers. It is a closed-source operating system, which means that it is not freely available to the public. However, there are a number of ways to install macOS on VirtualBox.

Prerequisites

Before you can install macOS on VirtualBox, you will need the following:

  • A Mac computer with macOS 10.15 or later installed
  • A copy of the macOS installer
  • A USB flash drive with at least 16GB of storage
  • VirtualBox installed on your computer

Installing macOS on VirtualBox

  1. Open VirtualBox and click on the "New" button.
  2. In the "Name" field, enter a name for your virtual machine.
  3. In the "Machine Folder" field, select a location on your computer where you want to store the virtual machine files.
  4. In the "Type" field, select "Mac OS X."
  5. In the "Version" field, select the version of macOS that you want to install.
  6. Click on the "Next" button.
  7. On the next screen, select the amount of memory that you want to allocate to the virtual machine. It is recommended that you allocate at least 4GB of memory.
  8. Click on the "Next" button.
  9. On the next screen, select the type of storage that you want to use for the virtual machine. It is recommended that you use a virtual hard disk (VDI) file.
  10. Click on the "Create" button.
  11. On the next screen, select the size of the virtual hard disk that you want to create. It is recommended that you create a virtual hard disk with at least 32GB of storage.
  12. Click on the "Create" button.
  13. The virtual machine will now be created. Once the virtual machine has been created, you will need to install macOS on it.
  14. To install macOS, insert the USB flash drive into your computer and then start the virtual machine.
  15. On the virtual machine’s boot menu, select the USB flash drive as the boot device.
  16. The macOS installer will now start. Follow the prompts to install macOS on the virtual machine.

Using macOS on VirtualBox

Once macOS has been installed on the virtual machine, you can start using it. To start the virtual machine, simply double-click on its icon in VirtualBox.

You can use macOS on VirtualBox to do anything that you can do on a physical Mac computer. You can install applications, browse the web, and even play games.

People Also Ask

How to install macOS on VirtualBox without a Mac computer?

There are a number of ways to install macOS on VirtualBox without a Mac computer. One way is to use a tool called Unibeast. Unibeast is a tool that allows you to create a bootable USB flash drive that can be used to install macOS on a non-Mac computer.

Can I run macOS on VirtualBox with less than 4GB of RAM?

It is possible to run macOS on VirtualBox with less than 4GB of RAM, but it is not recommended. macOS requires at least 2GB of RAM to run smoothly. If you try to run macOS with less than 2GB of RAM, you may experience performance issues.

How to fix the "VT-x is not available" error when installing macOS on VirtualBox?

The "VT-x is not available" error is a common error that occurs when trying to install macOS on VirtualBox. This error is caused by a virtualization feature that is not enabled in the BIOS settings of your computer. To fix this error, you will need to enable VT-x in the BIOS settings of your computer.