Question
How do I use Ubuntu Linux in the UTM app on my MacBook?
Answer
Guide sourced from: YouTube: Install a Linux VM in UTM | Get Into Linux | MacOS
Tested and confirmed functionality on a YSU-owned MacBook Pro from our loaner program
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Begin by installing the UTM application. You can install it from the following:
Once UTM is installed, you can begin setting up a virtual machine
- Download the Ubuntu Linux Server for ARM-based devices ISO: https://ubuntu.com/download/server/arm
- Wait for the download to finish, then open UTM
- Click the + button at the top of UTM
- On the "Start" screen, select Virtualize
- On the "Operating System" screen, select Linux
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- On the "Linux" screen, leave both Use Apple Virtualization and Boot from kernel image unchecked
- The final option on that screen is Boot ISO Image. Select Browse to open Finder and locate the ISO file we downloaded earlier
*
- *your version my be different as newer ones are released
- Click Continue to get to the "Hardware" screen. Here you may choose how much memory your virtual machine has
- The default, 4096 MB, should suffice, but you may increase or decrease it to your needs and your device's specs
- Leave Enable Hardware OpenGL Acceleration unchecked
- Click Continue to get to the "Storage" screen. Here you may choose how much storage the virtual machine will get
- The default, 64 GB, should suffice, but you may increase or decrease it to your needs and your device's specs
- Click Continue and then Save; disregard the "Shared Directory" options
- On the "Summary" screen, you have an overview of what you selected so far, and you may rename the Virtual Machine to whatever you want. When done, click Save
- The VM is now created. Click the Play button to boot it up
- Once the VM launches, choose Try or Install Ubuntu Server and press Enter
- It may take a few moments, but then the installer setup should boot. You will have to use Tab or Arrow Keys to navigate and the Enter key to confirm
- Welcome: Choose desired language, press Enter
- Keyboard configuration: Choose keyboard layout
- Choose type of install: Check the first option, Ubuntu Server
- Network Connections: Don't change anything. Might be a good idea to remember the IP address your VM was assigned here
- Configure Proxy: Leave empty
- Configure Ubuntu Archive Mirror: Don't change anything
- Guided Storage Configuration: Check the first option, Use an entire disk
- Storage Configuration: Don't change anything
- "Confirm Destructive Action," choose Continue
- Profile Setup: These can be anything, make sure you remember the username and password you create
- Upgrade to Ubuntu Pro: Check the second option, Skip for now
- SSH Setup: Choose the first option, Install OpenSSH Server
- Featured Server Snaps: Don't change anything
- Installing System: Please wait while Ubuntu installs. Once complete choose Reboot Now
- When it comes back, close the VM by pressing the power button icon in the top left
- In the overview menu (as seen in step 12), choose CD/DVD and then Clear
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- Run the VM again and wait for it to boot up the Ubuntu Server command line
- It will ask for a Username and Password which are the ones you made during step 14
- Now you will install the actual Ubuntu desktop environment using the command line
- sudo apt update -y
- sudo apt upgrade -y
- sudo apt install qemu-guest-agent spice-vdagent
- sudo apt install ubuntu-desktop -y
- sudo reboot
- Ubuntu should now boot as a desktop GUI environment
- Sign in using the password you made earlier and you are good to use it as you need
