How to Install macOS Big Sur on VirtualBox in Windows 10/11

It does not matter if you don’t have a Mac, iMac, or MacBook but still, you can install or test Apple’s macOS Big Sur on your Windows 10/11 PC or laptop. Meanwhile, in our previous post, you learned how to install macOS Big Sur on VMware Workstation 16 Pro. However, in this post, we are going to show you how to install or run macOS Big Sur on Oracle VirtualBox in Windows 10/11.

In the meantime, before installing macOS Big Sur on VirtualBox, let’s have some basic information about macOS Big Sur and its features:

macOS Big Sur

The latest major update of macOS, Apple Inc.’s operating system for Macintosh computers, is macOS Big Sur, which is the successor to macOS Catalina (version 10.15). On June 22, 2020, it was revealed at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), and it was launched to the general public on November 12, 2020.

Mac OS X Big Sur contains a redesigned user interface with new blurs to create a visual hierarchy, as well as a revamped Time Machine backup mechanism. It’s also the first version of macOS to support ARM-based processors. For the first time since 2000, the operating system’s major version number was increased from 10 to 11 to mark the change. The operating system is named after Big Sur, a coastal city on California’s Central Coast.

macOS Big Sur Features

Redesigning

macOS Big Sur is a major overhaul of the Mac operating system, introducing the first interface refinements to macOS in years. It completely redesigns the software’s appearance, from the curvature of window corners to the dock symbols to the classic interface sounds. All in the update looks new yet familiar, with Apple opting for a brighter, more sleek look.

Control and Notification Centers

A new Control Center, similar to the Control Center on iOS, places main device functions right at the fingertips, and the Notification Center has been redesigned.
The Notification Center includes iOS-style buttons in a variety of sizes, as well as dynamic alerts organized by the app to make it easy to display all of your incoming notifications at a glance.

Safari Modifications

Safari is quicker and more battery effective, and Apple has introduced a new start page that can be personalized with wallpapers and different parts such as Reading List and iCloud Tabs for a more tailored Safari.
Tabs have been updated with a new preview option so you can see what’s available at a glance, and a new built-in translation tool for automatic language translation has been included. For the first time, Chrome and Firefox plugins can be ported to Safari, and there is an ability to limit which pages an extension can visit for increased privacy.

Updates on Messages

With support for pinned chats, mentions, inline responses, and Memoji formation, Messages is more similar to the Messages app on iOS, and the built-in search function has been overhauled to make it much easier to locate connections, images, and conversations inside the app.

Monitoring of the Battery

There’s a new Battery section in System Preferences for keeping an eye on battery life, and the macOS App Store can help people better appreciate privacy policies in the future by providing detailed transparency on the details that an app gathers. Following the installation of macOS Big Sur, potential macOS updates can begin in the background and finish even faster, making it easy to keep your Mac up to date.

Install macOS Big Sur on VirtualBox on Windows 10/11 PC/Laptop

In order to install and run macOS Big Sur on VirtualBox on Windows 10 PC or laptop, you’ll need to download some required files first.

• Download Oracle VirtualBox & VirtualBox Extension Pack
• Code for VirtualBox
• Download the macOS Big Sur ISO File

Note: Make sure that Virtualization Technology is enabled on your Windows 10 PC or laptop. 

Step 1. Install VirtualBox on Windows PC/Laptop

Oracle VM VirtualBox has been developed by Oracle Corporation as a free and open-source virtualization framework. Using Windows, macOS, and 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.

• 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.

Step 2. Install VirtualBox Extension Pack

Once, you have downloaded the VirtualBox Extension Pack from Oracle VirtualBox official webpage then follow the below steps:

Launch the VirtualBox virtual machine and then go to Tools > Preferences > Extensions. Now, select the green plus icon.

Select the VirtualBox Extension Pack file and click Open.

Select Install.

Scroll down to the bottom and select I Agree.

The Extension Pack is installed. Click OK twice.

Step 3. Create a New Virtual Machine & Configure

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 Big Sur, 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 Big Sur then specify the location. Click Finish.

Now, select Settings to customize certain things.

Go to the System > Processor tab and select a minimum of two processors or higher.

Go to the Display > Screen menu then increase the Video memory to 128 MB.

Go to Storage > Empty and select the DVD icon and select Choose a disk file.

Select the macOS Big Sur ISO file then click Open.

At last, select OK.

Step 4. 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 Big Sur 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.

Once you replaced the “VM Name“ with your virtual machine name, then run the code one by one to the command prompt (CMD). Remember that, you must run Command Prompt as an administrator. 

Copy the first line and then paste it to Command Prompt, and press enter.

Now, copy the rest of the code and paste it to the CMD, and press enter. Once finished, close both CMD and Notepad apps.

Step 5: Start the macOS Big Sur Virtual Machine on VirtualBox

Open the VirtualBox app then click the Start button.

Once you have started the virtual machine then 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.

Here, select the following options and select Erase.

• • Name: macOS Big Sur (optional).
  • Format: APFS
  • Scheme: GUID Partition Map

When finished, click on Done.

Click the Disk Utility tab and select Quit Disk Utility.

Select Install macOS Big Sur and click Continue.

Click Continue.

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

Select the macOS Big Sur hard disk and click Continue.

Now, wait patiently. It will take a good 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the speed of your PC or laptop.

Step 6. Setup macOS Big Sur for the First Time

Once the macOS Big Sur installation is completed, it’s time to set up the macOS Big Sur operating system for the first time on VirtualBox.

• On the Welcome screen, select your country/region and click Continue.
• Click Customize Settings to customize Language, Input, and Dictation. Otherwise, click Continue.
• On the Accessibility page, click Not Now and then click Continue on the Data & Privacy page.
• On the Migration Assistant page, click Not Now.
• Here, select Set Up Later, if you don’t have Apple ID. However, if you are prompted, click Skip.
• Select Agree to Terms and Conditions. Once again select Agree.
• Create an account with a Full name and password. Click Continue.
• On the Express Set Up page, click Continue.
• Click Continue on the Analytics page as well.
• Select Set Up Later on the Screen Time page.
• Here, you can either enable or disable Siri and then click Continue. If you have decided to enable Siri then select your preferred language on the next screen.
• Now, select your preferred look like Light, Dark, or Auto, and click Continue.
• Setting Up Your Mac.
• Finally, macOS Big Sur is successfully installed on VirtualBox.

Running an operating system in a virtual environment has many advantages. The first is that you are unable to install the operating system alongside or outside of the current one. The second reason is that, since the VM operates in a completely different environment, you may be able to leave your data alone. The next step is that you are able to give the operating system a trial run rather than buying it. Though Macs are undeniably pricey, you might choose to experiment with or work with macOS for free, which is a great choice.

That’s it. This is how you can install and run macOS Big Sur on VirtualBox on a Windows 10/11 PC or laptop. The installation process was really easy. All you need to do is download the required files and make sure Virtualization Technology is enabled from BIOS.

Read More:

• How to Install macOS Big Sur on VMware Workstation in Windows 10