How To Install MacOS In Virtualbox For Seamless Workflow

Installing macOS on a Windows machine using VirtualBox can be a complex but rewarding process, allowing you to experience Apple's operating system without the need for Apple hardware. Here’s a detailed guide to help you through each step.

Downloading and Installing VirtualBox

To start, you need to download and install Oracle VirtualBox on your Windows machine. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Download VirtualBox: Go to the VirtualBox downloads page and select the version that matches your operating system.
2. Install VirtualBox: Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

Obtaining the macOS ISO File

Getting the macOS ISO file is crucial for the installation process. Here are your options:

1. Official Method: If you have access to a Mac, you can download the macOS installer from the App Store and convert it to an ISO file. However, this method is more complex and requires converting the APP file to a DMG and then to an ISO.
2. Third-Party Source: An easier but less secure option is to download the macOS ISO from a third-party source. Websites like Archive.org often have ISO files available for various macOS versions.

Creating the Virtual Machine

Once you have VirtualBox installed and the macOS ISO file, you can create the virtual machine:

1. Launch VirtualBox: Open VirtualBox and click on the New button in the top-left corner.
2. Name Your Virtual Machine: Give your virtual machine a name, such as "macOS Monterey."
3. Select Type and Version: Choose Mac OS X as the type and Mac OS X (64-bit) as the version.
4. Allocate Memory and Processor Cores: Allocate at least 4GB of RAM and 2 processor cores. If possible, allocate more resources for better performance.
5. Create a Virtual Hard Disk: Allocate at least 35GB of storage for the virtual machine. You can choose a dynamically allocated disk or a fixed-size disk.

Configuring Virtual Machine Settings

Proper configuration of the virtual machine settings is essential for a successful installation:

1. System Settings:
   • Go to the System section and uncheck the Floppy box.
   • Ensure EFI is enabled under the Motherboard tab.
   • Make sure PAE/NX is enabled under the Processor tab.
2. Display Settings:
   • Go to the Display section, set the Video Memory to 128MB, and toggle Enable 3D Acceleration if available.
3. Network Settings:
   • Go to the Network section, select Adapter 1 and set it to NAT.
   • Optionally, add Adapter 2 and set it to Bridged Adapter for better network connectivity.

Adding the macOS ISO File

1. Storage Settings:
   • Go to the Storage section, select the Empty optical drive, and click on the disk icon next to it.
   • Navigate to the location of your macOS ISO file and select it.

Running Custom Commands for macOS Compatibility

To ensure macOS runs smoothly, you need to run some custom commands:

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator: Right-click on the Start menu and select Command Prompt (Admin).

2. Navigate to VirtualBox Directory: Run the command cd "C:\Program Files\Oracle\VirtualBox".

3. Run Custom Commands: Replace "Your VM Name" with the name of your virtual machine and run the following commands:

   VBoxManage.exe modifyvm "Your VM Name" --cpuidset 00000001 000306a9 04100800 7fbae3ff bfebfbff
   VBoxManage setextradata "Your VM Name" "VBoxInternal/Devices/efi/0/Config/DmiSystemProduct" "MacBookPro11,3"
   VBoxManage setextradata "Your VM Name" "VBoxInternal/Devices/efi/0/Config/DmiSystemVersion" "1.0"
   VBoxManage setextradata "Your VM Name" "VBoxInternal/Devices/efi/0/Config/DmiBoardProduct" "Mac-2BD1B31983FE1663"
   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
   

Installing macOS

1. Start the Virtual Machine: Click on the Start button in VirtualBox to start your virtual machine.
2. Follow On-Screen Instructions: Select the macOS Install option from the boot menu and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.
3. Format the Virtual Hard Disk: During the installation, you will need to format the virtual hard disk using Disk Utility before proceeding with the installation.

Post-Installation Configuration

After the installation is complete, you may need to configure a few settings:

1. Sign In with Apple ID: You can sign in with your Apple ID or create a local account. If you encounter the iCloud unsupported device error, use a local account and try adding your Apple ID later.
2. Full Screen Mode: To switch to full screen mode, shut down the virtual machine, open Command Prompt as an administrator, and run the necessary commands to set the desired resolution.

By following these steps carefully, you should be able to successfully install and run macOS on your Windows machine using VirtualBox. Remember to be cautious when downloading ISO files from third-party sources and ensure your system meets the necessary hardware requirements for smooth performance.