How to Run Ubuntu Linux on Apple Silicon Mac

Interested in running Ubuntu Linux on your Apple Silicon Mac? It's now simpler than ever to run Ubuntu alongside MacOS without the hassle of partitioning, dual booting, or risking your Mac's operating system. Thanks to virtual machine technology, you can run another OS on your Mac as easily as launching any other application.

Virtualization software such as UTM, VMWare, VirtualBox, and Parallels has made it straightforward to operate different operating systems alongside MacOS. In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of setting up Ubuntu Linux on an M-series Mac using UTM.

How to Easily Run Ubuntu Linux on an M-series Mac with UTM

The most straightforward method to run Ubuntu Linux on a Mac involves using a pre-configured virtual machine package, which you can immediately use in UTM. Here's how to set it up:

1. First, download UTM for free from the developer's website if you haven't already. UTM is the hypervisor app that simplifies running virtual machines on your Mac. After downloading, install UTM by dragging and dropping it into the Applications folder on your Mac.

2. Then, visit the UTM Gallery, find “Ubuntu ARM64,” and click on it (or go directly to this link) and select “Download” to get the pre-configured VM file.

3. Extract the ubuntu-arm64-utm.zip file from your ~/Downloads folder.

4. Launch the pre-configured virtual machine by double-clicking on Ubuntu.utm in UTM.

5. Select Ubuntu from the VM list and click the large play > arrow button to start the Ubuntu Linux virtual machine.

6. Remember to log in using the username “ubuntu” and password “ubuntu” (without the quotes), as these are the default credentials for this pre-configured VM.

7. You'll soon find yourself on the Ubuntu Linux desktop, ready to explore and use Ubuntu as you see fit.

If you're already comfortable with Linux, you're set and ready to dive in.

If you're new to Linux, feel free to navigate and explore. The modern Ubuntu GUI should feel familiar if you've used MacOS or Windows, offering a similar user experience that's easy to navigate.

Since this Ubuntu Linux setup is isolated within the virtual machine, you can experiment without worrying about affecting your Mac's system.

Installing Apps in Ubuntu Within the VM

A useful tip: Here's how to add applications to Ubuntu Linux using apt, which is similar to Homebrew on Mac and allows you to install apps via the command line.

To install an app, use the command: sudo apt install appname

For instance, to install htop:

sudo apt install htop

Further Resources

As you get accustomed to running Ubuntu Linux in a virtual machine, these resources might be helpful:

• Ubuntu Help Documentation
• Ubuntu Tutorials
• Command Line for Beginners at Ubuntu Tutorials
• Our command line archives – many command line tools for MacOS are also available for Linux, and vice versa
• Our archives on virtual machines

By the way, Ubuntu isn't your only option for running Linux on a Mac via UTM. You can also try Fedora Linux in a UTM VM. Moreover, you're not limited to Linux; you can also virtualize MacOS Sonoma and Windows 11 using UTM.

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