Oracle VM VirtualBox is one of the most popular free virtualization tools available for macOS. It allows you to create virtual machines and run multiple operating systems like Windows, Linux, and older macOS versions directly on your Mac.
Whether you want to test software, run another operating system, or create a development environment, VirtualBox is a powerful solution for Mac users. In this guide, we’ll show you how to download and install VirtualBox on macOS step by step.
Check Your Mac Processor Type
Before downloading VirtualBox, you should first check whether your Mac uses: an Intel processor or Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3, or newer).
To check your Mac model:
1. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner.
2. Select About This Mac and check the processor or chip information.
This is important because VirtualBox provides separate downloads for Intel Macs and Apple Silicon Macs.
How to Download VirtualBox for macOS
To download VirtualBox:
1. Open any web browser on your Mac.
2. Visit the VirtualBox Official Website and click the Downloads option.
3. Now choose the correct version for your Mac:
- macOS / Intel hosts → For Intel-based Macs
- macOS / Apple Silicon hosts → For M1, M2, M3, and newer Macs
Click the appropriate download option and allow the installer file to download. The installer size is usually around 130 MB or more depending on the version.
How to Install VirtualBox on macOS
Once the download is complete, you can use the installer file to install VirtualBox on your macOS. Here’s how:
1. Open the downloaded VirtualBox installer file and double-click the VirtualBox.pkg package file.
2. The installation wizard will now open, click Continue.
3. Choose Install for all users of this computer if prompted.
4. Click Continue again.
5. Click Install.
6. macOS may now ask for your administrator password. Enter your Mac password and click Install Software.
7. Wait for the installation process to complete.
Once the installation is complete, click Close to exit the installer. You can also choose Move to Trash if you would like to delete the installer file and free up some storage space on your Mac. This step is optional, as removing the installer will not affect the Xcode installation.
Note: Some versions of VirtualBox may prompt you to install Python 3 during setup. If prompted, click Install, accept the license agreement, and wait for the installation to complete. Once finished, click Done to continue.
How to Create Your First Virtual Machine in VirtualBox on macOS
After installing VirtualBox, you can create a virtual machine and use it to install a new operating system, such as Windows, Ubuntu, or another Linux distribution. Before you begin, you’ll need to download the ISO file for the operating system you want to install.
Once you have the ISO file ready, follow these steps:
1. Open Launchpad, search for VirtualBox and click the VirtualBox icon to launch it.
2. You can now create virtual machines and install different operating systems on your Mac. Once VirtualBox opens successfully, click New.
3. Choose the operating system you want to install.
4. Allocate RAM and storage space.
5. Attach an ISO file for the operating system and start the virtual machine.
You can now install Windows, Linux, or other supported operating systems on your Mac.
Wrapping Up
VirtualBox is a powerful virtualization tool that works well on macOS and allows you to run multiple operating systems on a single machine. The installation process is straightforward, but it’s important to download the correct version for your Mac processor type.
After installing VirtualBox, you can create virtual machines for testing, development, learning, or running software that is not available natively on macOS.
