If you want to run Windows, Linux, or another operating system on your Mac without changing your main setup, VirtualBox is one of the easiest ways to do it. It’s a free virtualization tool from Oracle that lets you create virtual machines, often called VMs, directly on macOS. That means you can run another operating system inside a window on your Mac, test software, use older applications, or experiment with different environments without touching your main system.
Once it’s set up, you can create virtual machines for operating systems like Windows 11, Ubuntu, or even older versions of Windows and Linux. In this guide, we’ll show you how to install VirtualBox on macOS, configure it properly, create your first virtual machine, and start using it.
How to Install VirtualBox on macOS
Installing VirtualBox on your Mac is a straightforward process. VirtualBox is a powerful virtualization tool that allows you to run multiple operating systems on your Mac. Whether you’re a developer, tester, or just someone who likes experimenting with different operating systems, VirtualBox makes it easy to create and manage virtual machines.
Without further ado, let’s dive right into the installation process!
1. On your Mac, open any web browser.
2. In the address bar, type VirtualBox.org or search for VirtualBox and open the official website.
3. Once you’re on the VirtualBox download page, you’ll see different options depending on your Mac’s processor. If you have an Intel-based Mac, select the macOS (Intel) version. If you’re using an Apple Silicon Mac (M1 or later), choose the macOS Apple Silicon Host option.
4. After selecting the appropriate version for your system, click Download. The installation file will begin downloading.
5. Once the download is complete, we can start the installation process. Open your Downloads folder, then double-click the VirtualBox .dmg file to open it. This will mount the disk image and display the installation window.
6. In the installation window, double-click the VirtualBox.pkg file to begin the installer.
7. You’ll see the Oracle VirtualBox installation screen. Click Continue to proceed.
8. Next, you’ll be asked to choose where to install VirtualBox. Select Install for all users of this computer, then click Continue.
9. Now click Install to begin the installation. You’ll be prompted to enter your administrator password (the password you use to log in to your Mac). Enter it, then click Install Software.
10. The installation process may take a few moments. Once it’s complete, you’ll see the option to close the installer.
If you want to remove the installer file, you’ll have the option to move the installer file to the Trash. Also, if you’re prompted to install Python3 during the process, click Install and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the Python installation.
Once everything is installed, you’ll see a message confirming that the software was successfully installed.
How to Use VirtualBox to Create Virtual Machines on macOS
Now that VirtualBox is installed and running, you can start creating virtual machines (VMs) on your Mac. With VirtualBox, you can install and run different operating systems; such as Windows, Linux, or even other versions of macOS, within a virtualized environment, all without leaving macOS. Once VirtualBox is set up, you’re ready to launch it and begin creating your first virtual machine.
1. Click the Launchpad icon in your Mac’s Dock to view all installed applications.
2. Type VirtualBox into the search bar, then click the VirtualBox app when it appears to launch the program.
3. To create a new VM, click the New button in the VirtualBox window.
4. Then follow the on-screen instructions to configure your virtual machine, including selecting the operating system, assigning memory, and creating a virtual hard disk.
Once the virtual machine is created, install your desired operating system and complete the setup. After that, you are ready to use it on your macOS.
Install VirtualBox Extension Pack on macOS
If you’re experiencing issues such as incorrect screen resolution or unsupported input devices in your virtual machine, installing the VirtualBox Extension Pack may help fix them. While VirtualBox works fine on its own, the Extension Pack unlocks additional features not included in the base installation.
It adds support for USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 devices, VirtualBox Remote Desktop Protocol (VRDP), disk encryption, NVMe support, webcam passthrough, and other advanced capabilities. Here’s how to install it:
1. Download the VirtualBox Extension Pack from the official VirtualBox website.
2. Open VirtualBox, in the menu bar at the top of your screen, click File and select Tools.
3. Then click Extension Pack Manager option.
4. Click Install, and a file browser window will appear. Navigate to your Downloads folder, select the .vbox-extpack file you downloaded earlier, then click Open.
4. VirtualBox will load the installer and display an installation window. Click Install to continue.
macOS may prompt you for administrator authentication. Enter your Mac login password to allow VirtualBox to install the extension system-wide. Once the installation is complete, the Extension Pack should appear in the Extension Pack Manager as installed.
After that, relaunch your virtual machine, and it should resolve the issues you were experiencing.
Conclusion
And there you have it; that’s how you can install VirtualBox on your Mac and start using it to run virtual machines. Whether you want to test software, run another operating system, or simply experiment in a separate environment, VirtualBox makes it easy to manage multiple operating systems on a single machine.
If you want a flexible virtualization tool without paying for premium software like Parallels Desktop, VirtualBox is a great place to start.
