How to Install macOS Catalina on VirtualBox on Windows 10/11

Apple announced macOS Catalina back in WWDC 2019. Meanwhile, if you want to test macOS Catalina on a virtual machine like Oracle VirtualBox then you have landed at the right place. In this tutorial guide, you are going to learn how to install macOS Catalina on VirtualBox on Windows 10/11 PC.

Virtualization Technology is one of the easiest ways to muck things up for testing. You can still go back to the default settings, no matter how badly you screwed up. There are many Virtual Machine tools and applications that can accomplish the mission. VMware and VirtualBox are the most common and user-friendly virtualization tools and apps. VMware is not free, but it does have a 10-day trial version for Mac, as well as a VMware player and a VMware Pro for Windows. The player edition is still available for free, but the other version is not. VirtualBox is open-source virtualization software for Windows and Mac that is comparable to VMware.

macOS Catalina (10.15)

The sixteenth big update of macOS, Apple Inc.’s desktop operating system for Macintosh computers, is called Catalina. It is the successor to macOS Mojave and was unveiled on June 3, 2019, at WWDC 2019 and launched to the general public on October 7, 2019. Catalina is the first macOS update to support only 64-bit apps and to have an Activation Lock. It’s also the last edition of macOS with the prefix 10. Big Sur, its replacement, is version 11 of the game. On November 12, 2020, macOS Big Sur will replace macOS Catalina.

Meanwhile, Santa Catalina Island, off the coast of southern California, is the inspiration for the operating system.

What Are the Key New Features in macOS Catalina?

Catalina introduces more significant new features than previous macOS updates. There are a few recent applications, as well as a few others with significant new functionality and UI changes. The performance and accessibility have also been strengthened.

Here’s a rundown on some of the latest applications and services:

• Project Catalyst: iPad applications that have been ported to the Mac Music, Podcasts, and Apple TV apps, which have taken the place of the iTunes software.
• The Photos app has been improved.
• The Notes app has been improved.
• Apple Mail also has three additional features: the ability to silence a thread, block a sender, and unsubscribe.
• Safari has been modified.
• Reminders have been revamped.
• Find My iPhone and Find My Friends have been combined into a new Find My app.
• For Mac, there’s a program called Screen Time.
• Sidecar is a device that allows you to use an iPad as an external monitor.
• Voice Controls.

Required Files to Install macOS Catalina on Oracle VirtualBox in Windows 10/11

In order to install macOS Catalina (10.15) on VirtualBox on Windows 11/10, you’ll need to download the below-given links:

1. Download Oracle VirtualBox
2. Download macOS Catalina ISO
3. Download VBox Code

Step 1. Install VirtualBox and the Extention Pack

Oracle VM VirtualBox has been developed by Oracle Corporation as a free and open-source virtualization framework. Using Windows, macOS, Linux, Solaris, as well as OpenSolaris you can mount the VirtualBox. This allows users to build virtual machines to run other operating systems. “It supports guest development and management of Windows and Linux running virtual machines and restricted virtualization on Apple hardware of macOS guests.”

A virtual machine is a virtual system or program that offers the same features as physical machines (eg, a computer system with its own CPU, memory, network interfaces, and storage capacity). A virtual machine like a real device is used to run applications or OS.

Steps to install VirtualBox:

• Navigate the folder where you have downloaded your VirtualBox and double-click on the downloaded “VirtualBox” file to install it.
• Oracle VM VirtualBox Setup” window will appear on the screen and click on the “Next” button to continue.
• Choose the location where you want to install the VirtualBox and click on the “Next” button to continue.
• Click Next.
• Click Yes and then click the Install button to start the installation process.

install VirtualBox

Steps to Install VirtualBox Extension Pack:

• Double-click on the installer of VirtualBox Extention. It will open the VirtualBox and click Install.
• Select I Agree.
• VirtualBox Extension Pack installed successfully. Click OK.

Install VirtualBox Extension Pack

Step 2. Create macOS Catalina Virtual Machine & Configure it

Launch the VirtualBox VM and select New.

New

When the next window opened click on the Expert Mode option.

Expert Mode

Now give a name for the virtual machine, simply type macOS Catalina, specify the location, and Type Mac OS X, Version, Mac OS X (64-Bit).

Now give a name for the virtual machine

On the Hardware tab increase the base memory size and the processor.

increase the base memory size and the processor

Select the maximum disk size for macOS Sonoma then specify the location. Click Finish.

Select the maximum disk size

Now, select Settings to customize certain things.

Settings

When the settings window opened, from the left-handed window side select the System tab, then uncheck the floppy disk.

uncheck the floppy disk

Select the Display tab, then increase the video memory size to 128 MB.

increase the video memory size to 128 MB

Select the Storage tab, click Empty > disk icon > Choose a disk file.

Choose a disk file

Choose the macOS Catalina ISO and click Open.

Choose the macOS Catalina ISO

Enable the USB 3.0 from the USB tab.

At last, select OK.

USB 3.0

Step 3. Run VirtualBox Code to the Command Prompt

Once you’ve created and customized your virtual machine, it’s time to run some codes in order to install macOS Catalina on VirtualBox. First, you should notice your virtual machine name because later on, we will use it. 

Note: It’s highly recommended that you should quit the VirtualBox program before executing the code. If you don’t do it, your virtual machine might not proceed to the installation step.

quit the VirtualBox program

Open the VirtualBox code. Go to the Edit tab and select Replace.

Replace

Now, replace “VM Name” with your virtual machine name and select Replace All.

Replace All

Now navigate to the Windows start menu and type their cmd, once the cmd appears right-click and run as administrator.

run CMS as administrator

Copy the first line of the commands and paste it into the command prompt window then hit enter, then copy the rest of the commands and paste it into the command prompt window then and hit enter.

Run code one by one

Step 4: Start the macOS Catalina Virtual Machine

Open the VirtualBox app then click the Start button. You will then see a set of codes running for about 90 seconds.

Start

Once you have started the virtual machine, you’ll see some code running in the background. Just wait until you see the Apple logo.

Select your preferred language and click the arrow icon at the bottom right-hand corner.

Select your preferred language

Select Disk Utility and click Continue.

Disk Utility

Choose VBOX HARDDISK Media then click Erase.

Erase VBOX HARDDISK Media

Configure the settings such as name, format, and scheme. Click Erase.

Erase

Select Done.

Done

Click the Disk Utility tab and select Quit Disk Utility.

Quit Disk Utility

Select Install macOS and click Continue.

Install macOS

Click Continue.

Continue

On the next screen, click Agree and once again select Agree.

Agree

Select the macOS Catalina hard disk and click Continue.

Select the macOS Catalina hard disk

Now, wait patiently. It will take a good 40 to 60 minutes, depending on the speed of your PC or laptop.

Step 5. Setup macOS Catalina for the First Time on Oracle VirtualBox

While the VirtualBox installation of macOS Catalina on a Windows PC has been successful. As a result, you must finish configuring macOS Catalina on VirtualBox before using it for the first time. The procedures listed below should be followed to finish configuring macOS Catalina on VirtualBox.

• Select your country/region and click Continue.
• Choose your preferred language and continue.
• On the Accessibility page, click Not Now.
• Click Continue on the Data & Privacy page.
• On the Migration Assistant screen, click the Not Now button to continue.
• Sign in to your Apple ID or set it up later.
• Select Agree to Terms and Conditions. Once again select Agree.
• Create an account with a Full name and password. Click Continue.
• Enable location services and click Continue.
• Select your time zone and continue.
• Click Continue on the Analytics screen.
• Set up Screen time later and continue.
• Now, select your preferred look like Light, Dark, or Auto, and click Continue.
• Finally, macOS Catalina is successfully installed on VirtualBox.

That’s it. This is how you can install and run macOS Catalina on VirtualBox on a Windows 11 PC or laptop. 

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