How To macOS Sonoma Virtual Machines VirtualBox VM

How to Install macOS Sonoma on VirtualBox on Windows 10/11 PC?

written by ShaadLife Team November 11, 2023

What You Will Learn in This Guide:

Let’s welcome macOS Sonoma. If you want to install and test macOS Sonoma on virtual machines like Oracle VirtualBox then you’ll learn here the process to install macOS Sonoma on VirtualBox in Windows 10/11.

The future major update of macOS, Apple’s operating system for Mac computers, is called Sonoma (version 14). It was revealed as the replacement for macOS Ventura during Apple’s WWDC 2023 on June 5, 2023, and a late 2023 release was predicted. On June 5, 2023, the initial developer beta was made available. The Sonoma, California-based operating system bears this name.

According to Apple’s normal annual schedule, a public beta of macOS Sonoma should be available sometime in July, and the complete release should follow in September. Any mention of generative AI, which Microsoft is integrating into Windows with Copilot, is notable for its omission. However, if you own a Mac that was made after 2018, these are the most notable new features of Apple’s next desktop OS update.

Before we start to install macOS Sonoma on VirtualBox, let’s have a look at compatible Macs for macOS Sonoma and its features.

Compatible Macs for macOS Sonoma (macOS 14)

macOS Sonoma drops support for the following Macs:

2017 MacBook Pro
2017 iMac
2017 MacBook (12-Inch)

macOS Sonoma remains compatible with the following Macs:

MacBook Pro: 2018 and later
MacBook Air: 2018 and later
Mac Mini: 2018 and later
iMac: 2019 and later
iMac Pro: 2017
Mac Studio: 2022 and later
Mac Pro: 2019 and later

macOS Sonoma New Features

1. Widgets on the Desktop

Widgets were restricted to the notification sidebar on the right side of the desktop in earlier iterations of the macOS operating system. You may put them wherever on the desktop while using Sonoma. When you launch an app window, desktop widgets become translucent and tinted to match your wallpaper so as not to be distracting. You can utilize widgets on your Mac desktop if you use them on an iPhone. These “anywhere widgets” have been compared to the desktop widgets Microsoft released in Windows Vista back in 2006, albeit widgets have returned in Windows 11, where they are (for the time being) restricted to their own panel. What is thrown out, is thrown back.

2. Gaming Mode

A new Gaming mode for Macs with Apple Silicon processors aims to change the fact that Apple has never been the primary choice for playing PC games. To celebrate the release of a director’s cut of his 2019 title Death Stranding on the Mac, the firm even brought in gaming veteran Hideo Kojima at WWDC 2023. The new macOS Game Mode will release system resources from background processes so the game can make use of them, just like Windows’ Game Mode does. Additionally, the mode is designed to lessen controller latency for the Xbox and PlayStation.

3. Video Conferencing Tools

The need to engage in video conferences is common among business customers, and Apple has released several enhancements that improve the experience whether you’re using Zoom, Teams, or Webex. Users can overlay a cutout or thumbnail image of themselves over a shared desktop using the Presenter Overlay function. Reaction films, which embellish your video feed with balloons and streamers, are another innovation. For more visit here.

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

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

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 and the Extention Pack

Steps to 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.

I Agree

VirtualBox Extension Pack installed successfully. Click OK.

Step 2. Create macOS Sonoma 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 Sonoma, 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 Sonoma ISO and click Open.

Choose the macOS Sonoma ISO

Enable the USB 3.0 from the USB tab.

Enable the USB 3.0

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 Sonoma 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.

Run VirtualBox Code to the Command Prompt

Replace

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

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.

run CMD 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 the commands one by one

Step 4: Start the macOS Sonoma 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 14 beta and click Continue.

Install macOS 14 beta

Click Continue.

Continue

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

Agree

Select the macOS Sonoma hard disk and click Continue.

Select the macOS Sonoma 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 Sonoma for the First Time on Oracle VirtualBox

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

Troubleshoot:

1. Failed to query SMC value from the host (VERR_INVALID_HANDLE)

Run this command in CMD:

VBoxManage.exe setextradata “VM name” 
“VBoxInternal/Devices/smc/0/Config/GetKeyFromRealSMC” 0

2. If nothing of these solutions work, you may downgrade VirtualBox and it will still function. You can access earlier builds.

here: https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Download_Old_Builds_6_1

3. If your virtual machine is stuck while running codes when you start the VM then change the CPU Processors to 1. After that restart the virtual machine.

That’s it. This is how you can install and run macOS 14 Sonoma on VirtualBox on a Windows 11 PC or laptop.

How to Install macOS Ventura on VirtualBox on Windows 10/11 PC

ShaadLife Team

We are professional How-to content writers. As a tech enthusiast and geek, we love to write and share articles about different operating systems such as Android, Windows, macOS, iOS, and some other products like a smartwatch and smart TV.