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You can install Ubuntu on a Mac without Boot Camp, but the right method depends on the Mac’s processor. Intel Macs can usually boot a standard Ubuntu USB; Intel Macs with Apple’s T2 chip need extra security and driver steps; Apple-silicon Macs need Ubuntu Asahi for a native install or an ARM64 virtual machine. If you want to avoid changing the Mac’s partitions, use a virtual machine.
Identify your Mac before downloading Ubuntu
On macOS, open Apple menu → About This Mac. Older Macs list a processor; newer models list a chip such as Apple M1 or M2. Model year alone is not enough to identify the architecture: some 2020 Macs are Intel and others use Apple silicon.
For an Intel Mac, check whether it has Apple’s T2 Security Chip before following standard USB instructions. Use the supported-device list at T2 Linux; it includes models such as MacBook Air and MacBook Pro from 2018–2020, the 2018 Mac mini, 2019 Mac Pro, 2019 iMac Pro, and 2020 27-inch iMac. Boot Camp is Apple’s Windows-focused assistant, not a requirement or installer for Linux.
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Choose the installation method
| Mac or goal | Recommended route | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Intel, no T2 | Standard Ubuntu Desktop AMD64 ISO on a bootable USB | Hardware support varies; test from the live USB first. |
| Intel with T2 | T2 Linux instructions and a T2-compatible Ubuntu image | Startup security and hardware support may need extra configuration. |
| Apple silicon | Ubuntu Asahi for native installation | Community-supported, model-dependent, and not Canonical-supported. |
| Any Mac; prioritize reversibility | Virtual machine such as UTM or Parallels | Ubuntu runs inside macOS with virtualized hardware. |
Canonical’s Ubuntu Desktop installation documentation directs Apple-silicon users to Ubuntu Asahi and notes that Canonical does not support that project. “Ubuntu runs on this Mac” and “Canonical officially supports this Mac installation” are not the same claim.
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Prepare and protect your Mac
- Make a complete Time Machine or other macOS backup, copy essential files somewhere separate, and confirm you can restore the backup.
- Keep your Mac login password available and leave enough internal storage for both macOS and Ubuntu. Ubuntu’s current desktop documentation lists at least 25 GB of storage and an 8 GB or larger flash drive; those are minimums, not comfortable allocations for a dual-boot system.
- Keep macOS installed unless you deliberately intend to remove it and have verified that the Mac supports your planned boot method. On Apple silicon, Ubuntu Asahi says its installer can resize macOS for dual boot but does not support removing macOS, which is needed for system firmware updates.
- For a T2 Mac, have a wired network connection or USB tethering available, plus an external keyboard and mouse in case built-in input devices do not work during installation.
- Do not assume an external SSD is a universal no-risk Ubuntu boot drive. External boot behavior depends on the Mac architecture and configuration.
The USB used to make an Intel installer will be erased. Ubuntu’s backup and installation guidance is at the Ubuntu Desktop tutorial.
Install Ubuntu on an Intel Mac without T2
Download the ISO and make a USB installer
- Download the current Ubuntu Desktop image from Ubuntu’s official download page. For an Intel Mac, choose the AMD64 image, intended for x86-64 computers.
- Insert an 8 GB or larger USB drive. To use Etcher, download the appropriate macOS version for the Mac you are using to create the installer, select the Ubuntu ISO, select the USB, and flash it. This overwrites the USB. See Ubuntu’s USB creation instructions.
- Advanced users can write the ISO in Terminal, but must identify the USB disk correctly first. The wrong disk identifier can overwrite the Mac’s internal drive:
diskutil list diskutil unmountDisk /dev/diskN sudo dd if=/path/to/ubuntu.iso of=/dev/rdiskN bs=1m sync diskutil eject /dev/diskNReplace
diskNwith the USB’s disk identifier, not the internal disk. The/dev/rdiskNdevice is commonly faster on macOS. You can drag the ISO file into Terminal to insert its path.
Boot and test Ubuntu before installing
- With the USB inserted, shut down or restart the Mac.
- Immediately after powering on, hold Option/Alt (⌥) until Startup Manager appears, then choose EFI Boot.
- Choose Try or Install Ubuntu, then select Try Ubuntu to test the live environment before changing the internal disk.
- Check Wi-Fi, keyboard, trackpad, display, sound, and graphics. Ubuntu’s live-session guide explains how to try the desktop. A successful boot does not guarantee every Mac feature will work correctly after installation.
Install alongside macOS
- In macOS, use Disk Utility to shrink the APFS container and leave unallocated space for Ubuntu. Back up before resizing.
- Start the Ubuntu installer from the live desktop. If you need to preserve macOS, do not choose Erase disk and install Ubuntu.
- Choose the manual or custom partitioning option. Identify partitions by their size, filesystem, and mount point; device names vary between Macs and should not be treated as universal.
- Use the space reserved for Ubuntu to create or select an
ext4root partition mounted at/. Configure the EFI system partition as appropriate for the layout, and add swap space only if desired. - Do not format the macOS APFS container. Carefully review the target disk and partition changes before confirming installation.
- Finish the installer and restart when prompted, removing the USB when instructed. Hold Option/Alt at startup to choose an available macOS or Ubuntu boot entry.
Ubuntu documents erasing an existing system as an option when replacing it; T2 Linux specifically cautions that automatic partitioning can remove macOS and recommends manual partitioning. The same caution is prudent whenever preserving a Mac installation: T2 Linux pre-install guidance.
Install Ubuntu on an Intel Mac with T2
Change startup security settings
T2 security settings can block Linux startup media, and T2 Macs can need patched drivers for input devices, Wi-Fi, audio, and other hardware. Follow the current T2 Linux pre-install guide and check its supported-device list before proceeding.
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- Shut down the Mac, then start it while holding Command-R to enter macOS Recovery.
- Authenticate if prompted and open Utilities → Startup Security Utility.
- Set Secure Boot to No Security and external-media booting to Allow booting from external or removable media.
- Restart with the T2-compatible Ubuntu USB inserted and hold Option/Alt (⌥). Choose EFI Boot.
Reducing Secure Boot protection weakens Apple’s normal startup chain. T2 Linux suggests that users concerned about unauthorized startup can use a firmware password and, after installing Linux internally, can optionally restore external-media restrictions. Understand the trade-off before changing these settings.
Use a T2-compatible image and verify partitions
Use the Ubuntu image and release linked from the current T2 Linux Ubuntu project, rather than assuming an ordinary Ubuntu ISO will support the Mac’s keyboard, trackpad, audio, Wi-Fi, or Touch Bar. The project integrates Apple T2 drivers; its current releases are listed on its project pages.
Test the live environment, then follow the Intel manual-partitioning process above if retaining macOS. Do not select the erase-disk option. Keep an external USB keyboard and mouse available in case built-in input support is missing.
Finish hardware setup after installation
Depending on the Mac model and image, support for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, audio, keyboard, trackpad, Touch Bar, fans, webcam, graphics, or booting may require additional steps. T2 Linux says its T2 kernel may be needed for several of these functions; follow its post-install guide and Ubuntu installation instructions for the exact model and release.
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If Apple firmware is needed, the Ubuntu instructions document these commands:
get-apple-firmware get_from_macosIf the macOS method is unavailable or fails, the documented alternative is:
get-apple-firmware get_from_onlineThe online method requires wired internet according to the T2 Linux Ubuntu guide. These commands apply to the T2 Linux procedure, not ordinary non-T2 Macs. For a Touch Bar model, that guide documents installing its support package with:
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Install native Ubuntu on Apple silicon with Ubuntu Asahi
Do not write the ordinary Ubuntu AMD64 ISO to a USB and expect an M-series Mac to boot it like an Intel Mac. Apple-silicon Macs use a different boot architecture; Asahi’s FAQ explains that they do not support ordinary USB-storage booting in the Intel sense. Ubuntu’s native community route is Ubuntu Asahi, whose installer runs from macOS.
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- Back up macOS and keep it installed. Confirm your exact Mac model and current support status in the Ubuntu Asahi project documentation.
- Open Terminal in macOS and download the installer script, then inspect it before running:
curl -sL https://ubuntuasahi.org/install > install.sh less install.sh sh install.sh - Follow the interactive prompts to choose the offered Ubuntu release/build and allocate disk space. Read each partitioning prompt carefully; the installer can resize macOS for dual boot.
- Complete setup and use the startup options presented by the installer and project documentation to choose between macOS and Ubuntu.
The project repository currently lists Ubuntu Desktop/Server 26.04 and 25.10 as choices, but releases and hardware support can change. Check the current repository when installing. Apple-silicon support varies by model and feature; verify the status for graphics acceleration, external displays, audio, camera, sleep, power management, USB4/Thunderbolt, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Touch ID, video decoding, and other hardware rather than assuming macOS-level functionality.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Run Ubuntu in a virtual machine instead
A virtual machine keeps macOS running and avoids repartitioning the internal drive. On Apple silicon, use an Ubuntu ARM64 image for virtualization; AMD64 is the Intel architecture and should not be selected for an Apple-silicon VM unless you deliberately choose emulation. Ubuntu provides ARM downloads at its ARM desktop download page.
UTM
UTM is free and open source. Its documentation says it is available from the Mac App Store or GitHub; the App Store build has the same features and adds automatic updates. To create an Ubuntu VM:
- Download an Ubuntu ARM64 ISO for Apple silicon or an AMD64 ISO for an Intel Mac.
- Open UTM, create a new virtual machine, and choose Linux.
- Attach the ISO, allocate CPU cores, memory, and virtual disk space, then boot the VM.
- Run Ubuntu’s installer inside the virtual machine and eject the ISO from its virtual drive afterward.
See UTM’s Ubuntu VM guide for current settings. Virtualized hardware is not equivalent to direct access, so a VM is less suitable for hardware-specific Linux work or demanding graphics.
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Parallels Desktop
Parallels’ Ubuntu instructions describe using Installation Assistant to download a Linux VM or selecting an ARM-based ISO manually on M-series Macs. It is a commercial option for people who value a guided setup, macOS integration, and vendor support; it is not necessary if a free VM meets your needs.
Troubleshoot common installation problems
EFI Boot does not appear
- Recreate the USB with Etcher and verify that the image matches the Mac’s architecture.
- Try another USB drive, port, or adapter.
- On a T2 Mac, confirm external-media startup is allowed in Startup Security Utility.
- Hold Option/Alt immediately after power-on and wait for Startup Manager to finish loading.
“A software update is required to use this startup disk”
On a T2 Mac, check whether secure startup restrictions remain enabled and whether you selected the intended EFI entry. T2 Linux notes that Startup Manager can show multiple EFI entries; review its pre-install instructions.
Black screen or Ubuntu does not reach the desktop
Possible causes include graphics compatibility, T2 kernel issues, external-display initialization, or a bootloader mismatch. T2 Linux reports that Ubuntu’s GRUB may fail to boot through Mac Startup Manager in some cases and suggests rEFInd for affected systems. Treat rEFInd as a troubleshooting option, not a required first step; consult the project’s Ubuntu installation guide.
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Use Ethernet or USB tethering for temporary internet and an external keyboard or mouse for input. Then follow the model-specific T2 Linux firmware, kernel, and post-install instructions. Avoid random driver downloads or generic Broadcom fixes before identifying the Mac model.
The installer says it will erase the disk
Stop if you need to preserve macOS. Return to partitioning, choose manual/custom setup, and verify the target partitions and format actions. Do not confirm an erase-disk installation.
macOS is missing from the startup choices
Hold Option/Alt at startup and look for the macOS volume. If it is still absent, try macOS Recovery and check the bootloader and partition state. Restoring the backup may be necessary if the macOS volume or partition table was damaged; a recovery environment or installer may be required.
Which route should you choose?
- Intel, no T2, dedicated Linux use: use the standard AMD64 USB installer, test the live environment, and partition manually if keeping macOS.
- Intel with T2: follow T2 Linux’s preparation and Ubuntu-specific steps; plan for security changes and possible hardware setup.
- Apple silicon, dedicated native Linux: check your model against Ubuntu Asahi’s current support and use its macOS-based installer.
- Apple silicon or Intel, lowest risk or simultaneous macOS use: use a VM, choosing ARM64 Ubuntu for Apple silicon and AMD64 for Intel.
For dual boot, encryption and partition layout can complicate recovery. Do not select encryption or partitioning options without understanding where recovery keys are stored and how the chosen setup maps to the Mac’s disk; Ubuntu’s general installation documentation does not guarantee that every option maps identically to every Mac layout.
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