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.

However, before installing macOS Catalina on VirtualBox, let’s have some basic information about macOS Catalina and its features.

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.

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.

Step 2. Create macOS Catalina Virtual Machine & Configure it

Launch the VirtualBox VM and select New.

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

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).

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

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

Now, select Settings to customize certain things.

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

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

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

Choose the macOS Catalina ISO and click Open.

Enable the USB 3.0 from the USB tab.

At last, select OK.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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 Disk Utility and click Continue.

Choose VBOX HARDDISK Media then click Erase.

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

Select Done.

Click the Disk Utility tab and select Quit Disk Utility.

Select Install macOS and click Continue.

Click Continue.

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

Select the macOS Catalina hard disk and click Continue.

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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