How to Run Linux (Fedora Workstation 32) on an Apple Mac

Updated 8th Jun 2021

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VMware Fusion* is a desktop virtualization program that lets you run multiple different operating systems on your Mac at the same time. This is great for developers because it allows you to test software on a machine similar to what is used in production. And when using VMware Fusion Pro* you can create snapshots that let you rollback changes, or you can clone existing virtual machines to speed up the deployment of test environments.

In this post, we’ll see how to create a Fedora Workstation 32 VM so that you can run Linux on your Mac without needing extra hardware.

Prerequisites

Before we begin, you should have VMware Fusion* installed on your Mac and have downloaded the Fedora Workstation 32 ISO.

Let’s begin.

Create the Fedora Workstation 32 VM

Open VMware Fusion, click + then New…

Create Fedora Workstation 32 VM on VMware Fusion - Step 1

Click Install from disc or image.

Create Fedora Workstation 32 VM on VMware Fusion - Step 2

Either drag the Fedora ISO image from finder into the box with the arrow or click the Use another disc or image… button.

Create Fedora Workstation 32 VM on VMware Fusion - Step 3

The image below shows the dialog box after clicking the Use another disc or image… button.

Create Fedora Workstation 32 VM on VMware Fusion - Step 4

After selecting the ISO, you should see it in the list of images. Select it, then click Continue.

Create Fedora Workstation 32 VM on VMware Fusion - Step 5

Click Finish.

Create Fedora Workstation 32 VM on VMware Fusion - Step 6

Give the VM a name and select a location to store the files, then click Save to create the VM.

Create Fedora Workstation 32 VM on VMware Fusion - Step 7

Select Start Fedora-Workstation-Live 32 then press Enter

Create Fedora Workstation 32 VM on VMware Fusion - Step 8

Wait for Fedora to boot then click on Install to Hard Drive.

Create Fedora Workstation 32 VM on VMware Fusion - Step 9

Select your language then click Continue.

Create Fedora Workstation 32 VM on VMware Fusion - Step 10

Click Installation Destination, set it to automatic then click Begin Installation.

Create Fedora Workstation 32 VM on VMware Fusion - Step 11

Wait for Fedora to finish installing.

Create Fedora Workstation 32 VM on VMware Fusion - Step 12

Once complete, click Finish Installation.

Create Fedora Workstation 32 VM on VMware Fusion - Step 13

Power the VM down then disconnect the ISO by going to the Virtual Machine Settings screen and unchecking the Connect CD/DVD Drive option.

Create Fedora Workstation 32 VM on VMware Fusion - Step 14

Power the Fedora VM back on and it should boot from the hard disk.

Create Fedora Workstation 32 VM on VMware Fusion - Step 15

Setup Fedora

Once the Fedora VM has booted from the hard disk for the first time, you will be asked to setup your user account and privacy settings by completing a setup wizard.

Click Next to get started.

Create Fedora Workstation 32 VM on VMware Fusion - Step 16

Choose your privacy settings then click Next. In the example below, I have disabled Location Services and Automatic Problem Reporting.

Create Fedora Workstation 32 VM on VMware Fusion - Step 17

Connect your online accounts or click Skip.

Create Fedora Workstation 32 VM on VMware Fusion - Step 18

Enter a username then click Next.

Create Fedora Workstation 32 VM on VMware Fusion - Step 19

Assign a password then click Next.

Create Fedora Workstation 32 VM on VMware Fusion - Step 20

Install VMware Tools

VMware Tools is required to make the VM run faster and it allows you to copy and paste between the Mac and VM. To install VMware Tools on Fedora, open a Terminal and run the following command:

sudo yum install open-vm-tools-desktop

Create Fedora Workstation 32 VM on VMware Fusion - Step 21

Conclusion

VMware Fusion* is a great tool for developers when creating software for multiple operating systems. In this tutorial, I showed you how easy it is to get Fedora Workstation running on a Mac as a virtual machine.

It takes more steps than installing Ubuntu Desktop 20.04 because there is no Easy Install option for Fedora. However, it’s still super easy.

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