Mac: Use Ubuntu Linux in UTM

Some students may need to use a virtual machine for a class and UTM allows these to be used on MacOS systems

How do I use Ubuntu Linux in the UTM app on my MacBook?

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:

• UTM's official webstie: https://mac.getutm.app/
• The Apple AppStore
• YSU Self-Serivce (YSU MacBooks ONLY)

Once UTM is installed, you can begin setting up a virtual machine

1. Download the Ubuntu Linux Server for ARM-based devices ISO: https://ubuntu.com/download/server/arm
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2. Wait for the download to finish, then open UTM
3. Click the + button at the top of UTM
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4. On the "Start" screen, select Virtualize
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5. On the "Operating System" screen, select Linux
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6. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​On the "Linux" screen, leave both Use Apple Virtualization and Boot from kernel image unchecked
7. The final option on that screen is Boot ISO Image. Select Browse to open Finder and locate the ISO file we downloaded earlier
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     • *your version my be different as newer ones are released
8. 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
9. 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
10. Click Continue and then Save; disregard the "Shared Directory" options
11. 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
12. The VM is now created. Click the Play button to boot it up
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13. Once the VM launches, choose Try or Install Ubuntu Server and press Enter
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14. 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 
    1. Welcome: Choose desired language, press Enter
    2. Keyboard configuration: Choose keyboard layout
    3. ​​​​​​​Choose type of install: Check the first option, Ubuntu Server
    4. Network Connections: Don't change anything. Might be a good idea to remember the IP address your VM was assigned here
    5. Configure Proxy: Leave empty
    6. Configure Ubuntu Archive Mirror: Don't change anything
    7. Guided Storage Configuration: Check the first option, Use an entire disk
    8. Storage Configuration: Don't change anything
    9. "Confirm Destructive Action," choose Continue
    10. Profile Setup: These can be anything, make sure you remember the username and password you create
    11. Upgrade to Ubuntu Pro: Check the second option, Skip for now
    12. SSH Setup: Choose the first option, Install OpenSSH Server
    13. Featured Server Snaps: Don't change anything
15. Installing System: Please wait while Ubuntu installs. Once complete choose Reboot Now
16. When it comes back, close the VM by pressing the power button icon in the top left
17. In the overview menu (as seen in step 12), choose CD/DVD and then Clear
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18. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Run the VM again and wait for it to boot up the Ubuntu Server command line
19. It will ask for a Username and Password which are the ones you made during step 14
20. Now you will install the actual Ubuntu desktop environment using the command line
    1. sudo apt update -y
    2. sudo apt upgrade -y
    3. sudo apt install qemu-guest-agent spice-vdagent
    4. sudo apt install ubuntu-desktop -y
    5. sudo reboot
21. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Ubuntu should now boot as a desktop GUI environment
22. Sign in using the password you made earlier and you are good to use it as you need
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