Virtual Machines
When working locally it can be nice to have a safe, isolated place to test things.
macOS Virtual Machine
Get (Create) macOS ISO
Download a software installer and create install media using a temporary local volume. Then convert the DMG to an ISO (CDR).
Commands (some extra/optional included):
# NOTE: got spaces? escape them: "Big\ Sur"
macosvm_name=Monterey
macosvm_version=12.5.1
# available
softwareupdate --list-full-installers
# download (it'll say "installing" don't freak)
softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version ${macosvm_version}
# Create/mount 16GB, SPUD, HFS+ w/journal volume
hdiutil create -o /tmp/macOS -size 16384m -volname macOS -layout SPUD -fs HFS+J
hdiutil attach /tmp/macOS.dmg -noverify -mountpoint /Volumes/macOS
# Create install media using volume (root required for install media)
sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ ${macosvm_name}.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia \
--volume /Volumes/macOS --nointeraction
# Detach
hdiutil detach -force /Volumes/Install\ macOS\ ${macosvm_name}
# Convert DMS to ISO (via CDR)
macosvm_file=macOS-${macosvm_name}
hdiutil convert /tmp/macOS.dmg -format UDTO -o ~/Desktop/${macosvm_file}
mv ~/Desktop/${macosvm_file}.cdr ~/Desktop/${macosvm_file}.iso
# Grab a drink, check your desktop
Run macOS Virtual Machine
Use VMWare or Parallels – VMWare has a free personal license.
Directions work for virtualbox BUT it doesn’t generally support newer macOS versions: https://www.virtualbox.org/manual/ch01.html#hostossupport
VM settings:
CPU: 4
Memory: 8GB (8192MB)
Storage: 40GB, SSD/NVME (optional)
Display: enable 3D, 128/256 VRAM
Run VM, give it the ISO, then in the VM:
Disk Utility > format the “(VM hard drive name)…” as “Macintosh HD” APFS
Install, select HD, agree, wait ~25 minutes for install
Power down, take a VM snapshot
Power on, install VMWare Tools (or equivalent)
Power down, take a VM snapshot
DONE! If things get weird, rollback to a snapshot.