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How to Install MacOS Sonoma Beta in a Virtual Machine with UTM

  • 24 July 2023
  • 6 replies
  • 287 views
ProTruckDriver
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by: Paul Horowitz

 

One way to test out MacOS Sonoma beta but without installing it directly on a Mac is to install the Sonoma beta into a virtual machine instead. There are several different ways to do this, but for this particular article we will show you how you can setup and install MacOS Sonoma beta in a virtual machine by using the free UTM software.

To use this particular method of running Sonoma in a VM, you’ll want an Apple Silicon Mac with at least 60GB of disk space available and 16GB RAM, and you’ll then use the Sonoma beta IPSW file provided by Apple to install Sonoma into a VM using the free UTM app. It may sound complex, but it’s actually pretty easy, as you’ll see as we walk you through the steps.

 

⇨⇨ Full Article ⇦⇦

Late 2015 ~ 5K ~ 27 inch iMac ~ macOS Catalina 10.15.7 ~ Clone & Backup with: SuperDuper - Time Machine & iCloud. PWM: RoboForm.  "An Apple a Day, Keeps Microsoft Away." 

6 replies

russell.harris
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Always a good idea if you have the resources to use a vm for a new os release. Especially nowadays with such a short period between versions

"The only problem with troubleshooting is that sometimes trouble shoots back!"
MajorHavoc
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I used to do this a lot until Parallels restricted running another MacOS (other than MacOS Server). I have not tried recently, but am going to look at UTM as well. 
This is very cool and I agree with Russel, betas are best in a VM if you have space. 

- Owen Rubin,  Apple Expert. Worked in Vision Pro team and early Mac HW and OS engineer at Apple. Machines: 2017 iMac Pro 27" 5K 3GHz 10-Core Xenon Sonoma 14.x. 2023 14" MacBookPro M2 Max Ventura 13.x, 2018 16" MacBookPro Ventura 13.x, and a dozen or so older machines for testing. iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 6.
MajorHavoc
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OK, tried to follow the instructions for UTM and I keep getting an error when I try and set up the VM. I downloaded the source OS image as requested and I get an error that says, “A software update is required to complete the installation. Installation requires a software update.”

But it does not say what need an update. My mac? Its up to date? The VM? Nope, I have the latest version. Not sure what is wrong, but this is not working.

Anyone able to make this work?

- Owen Rubin,  Apple Expert. Worked in Vision Pro team and early Mac HW and OS engineer at Apple. Machines: 2017 iMac Pro 27" 5K 3GHz 10-Core Xenon Sonoma 14.x. 2023 14" MacBookPro M2 Max Ventura 13.x, 2018 16" MacBookPro Ventura 13.x, and a dozen or so older machines for testing. iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 6.
russell.harris
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Have yet to have time to try this myself. Will let you know when I do

"The only problem with troubleshooting is that sometimes trouble shoots back!"
MajorHavoc
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Thanks Russell. I updated my OS as well, and that made no difference either. I think it is a problem with the downloaded file actually. 

- Owen Rubin,  Apple Expert. Worked in Vision Pro team and early Mac HW and OS engineer at Apple. Machines: 2017 iMac Pro 27" 5K 3GHz 10-Core Xenon Sonoma 14.x. 2023 14" MacBookPro M2 Max Ventura 13.x, 2018 16" MacBookPro Ventura 13.x, and a dozen or so older machines for testing. iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 6.
russell.harris
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Userlevel 7
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👍🏻 I’ll check it out when I can

"The only problem with troubleshooting is that sometimes trouble shoots back!"

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