So, you want both worlds.
You want the clean interface of macOS and the open freedom of Linux.
You’re not alone. And the good news? You can have both.
On the same machine. With full control. Without nuking your data.
Welcome to dual booting—Mac edition.
Why Dual Boot?
Because sometimes, compromise is power.
Maybe you:
- Develop in Linux, but edit video in Final Cut.
- Prefer Linux for privacy, but need macOS for iMessage.
- Want to experiment without burning bridges.
Whatever your reason, dual booting lets you use your Intel Mac the way you want—not how Apple tells you to.
Devices That Work Best
Before diving in, let’s be clear—this is for Intel-based Macs only.
Here’s the sweet spot of compatibility:
- MacBook Pro (2012–2019)
- MacBook Air (2013–2017)
- Mac Mini (2011–2018)
- iMac (2012–2019)
M1 and M2 users? Sorry. Come back when Asahi Linux finishes its wizardry.
What You’ll Need
Let’s gear up:
- A backup of your data (Time Machine or Clonezilla)
- A 16GB USB drive
- A Linux ISO (Ubuntu, Fedora, Pop!_OS… your call)
- rEFInd (the real MVP)
- Patience (for bootloaders and partitions)
Step-by-Step: Dual Boot Breakdown
1. Shrink macOS Partition
Use macOS Disk Utility:
- Boot into macOS
- Open Disk Utility > Select main drive > Partition
- Shrink the macOS partition to make space for Linux (minimum 30GB)
Don’t delete macOS. Don’t format yet.
2. Create Bootable USB
On macOS, use balenaEtcher or dd in Terminal to flash the Linux ISO onto your USB stick.
3. Disable SIP (System Integrity Protection)
To let rEFInd live peacefully:
- Reboot into Recovery (Cmd + R)
- Open Terminal and type:
csrutil disable
You can re-enable it later.
4. Install rEFInd
From macOS, install rEFInd using Terminal:
bashCopiarEditarcd ~/Downloads/refind-bin-*/
./refind-install
This boots both macOS and Linux, and makes your life easier.
5. Boot into Linux Live USB
Insert the USB, reboot, and use rEFInd to select your Linux installer.
No rEFInd? Hold Option on boot and pick EFI.
6. Install Linux
Once in the Linux installer:
- Choose Something Else (manual partitioning)
- Use the space you freed earlier
- Create:
/(root) – ext4, ~20GBswap– optional (~2GB)/home– rest of the space
Do not overwrite EFI or macOS partitions.
7. Bootloader Woes? Use rEFInd
If GRUB hijacks your boot, boot into macOS and reinstall rEFInd. It always wins.
Tips for Sanity
- Don’t touch the EFI partition manually. Let the installers handle it.
- Keep macOS updated, but avoid major version upgrades—they love breaking boot setups.
- Use a secondary SSD or external drive if you’re risk-averse.
- Time your fan spin—seriously, Linux runs cooler.
What You Get in the End
At boot, you’ll now see a sweet rEFInd menu letting you choose between Linux and macOS.
You’ll get a lean, fast Linux system, and your Apple ecosystem intact.
No virtual machines. No sluggish performance. Just choice.
Final Thoughts
Apple wants you locked in.
Linux says, “make it yours.”
Dual booting gives you control over your machine. It’s not complicated. It’s not risky—if you follow the steps.
And the moment you switch between macOS and Linux with a single keystroke?
It’s addicting.
Welcome to the double life.