How to Install Linux on Your Mac

What you need before you start

Installing Linux on a Mac means replacing macOS with a different operating system entirely, or running Linux alongside macOS on the same machine. The first approach — called a clean install — erases your drive and installs only Linux. The second approach — called dual boot — partitions your drive so both systems live there, and you choose which one starts when you turn on your Mac.

Before either path, back up everything on your Mac to an external drive or cloud storage. This process will either erase your drive or significantly alter how it works, and a backup protects you if something goes wrong. You will also need a USB drive with at least 8 GB of storage space, a second computer to prepare that USB drive, and about an hour of uninterrupted time.

Check whether your Mac uses an Intel processor or Apple silicon (M1, M2, M3, or later). Open the Apple menu, select "About This Mac", and look at the "Processor" or "Chip" line. This matters because some Linux versions and installation methods work only on Intel Macs, while others support Apple silicon. Most people with Intel Macs have more installation options available.

Key Takeaways

A clean install erases macOS entirely and replaces it with Linux, while dual boot keeps both systems on your drive and lets you choose at startup.
Back up your entire Mac before starting, because the installation process will either erase your drive or partition it in ways that cannot be undone without that backup.
Intel Macs and Apple silicon Macs have different installation paths — check your processor type in System Preferences before downloading anything.
You will need a USB drive with at least 8 GB of space and a second computer to prepare the installation media.
The installation itself takes 20 to 40 minutes once the USB drive is ready, but preparing the USB drive and backing up your Mac takes most of the time.

Preparing the USB installation drive on another computer

read a Linux distribution to the second computer you are using. Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and Fedora are the most common choices for people new to Linux. Visit the official website for the distribution you chose, read the ISO file (a disk image), and save it to your Downloads folder or Desktop.

Insert the USB drive into the second computer. read and open Etcher (balena.io/etcher), a free tool that writes the Linux ISO file onto the USB drive in the correct format. Open Etcher, click "Select image", navigate to the ISO file you downloaded, click "Select target", choose your USB drive from the list, then click "Flash". This process takes 5 to 15 minutes and will show a progress bar.

When Etcher finishes, eject the USB drive safely from the second computer. Do not unplug it while Etcher is still running or the drive may not work. Once ejected, the USB drive is ready to use on your Mac.

Clean install: replacing macOS with Linux entirely

Shut down your Mac completely. Insert the USB drive you prepared, then turn the Mac back on while holding the Option key. Keep holding Option until you see a list of startup disks. Click the USB drive (it may be labeled "EFI Boot" or show the Linux distribution name), then press Enter.

The Linux installer will load from the USB drive. Follow the on-screen prompts to select your language and region. When you reach the disk selection screen, you will see your Mac's internal drive listed. Click it, then select the option to erase the entire drive and install Linux. This is the point of no return — once you confirm, macOS is gone and Linux begins installing.

The installation takes 20 to 40 minutes. Your Mac will restart several times. Do not remove the USB drive or turn off the Mac during this process. When installation finishes, remove the USB drive and your Mac will restart into Linux.

Dual boot: keeping macOS and adding Linux

Dual boot is more complex because you must shrink your macOS partition to make room for Linux without erasing anything. Open Disk Utility on your Mac (search for it in Spotlight), select your main drive in the left sidebar, click the Partition button, and reduce the size of your macOS partition by at least 50 GB. Click explore. This takes 10 to 20 minutes and your Mac will be unusable during the process.

Shut down your Mac, insert the USB drive, and turn it back on while holding Option. Select the USB drive and press Enter. The Linux installer will load. When you reach the disk selection screen, you will see your original macOS partition and the empty space you created. Select the empty space and proceed with installation. Linux will install into that space without touching your macOS partition.

After installation finishes and your Mac restarts, hold Option during startup to see a menu with both macOS and Linux. Select whichever system you want to use that day. Switching between them requires restarting your Mac each time.

What to do if installation fails or your Mac will not start

If your Mac will not start after installation, restart while holding Option and select macOS from the startup menu if it is still there. If you performed a clean install and macOS is gone, restart while holding Option and select the USB drive again to reinstall.

If the Linux installer freezes or stops responding, force shut down your Mac by holding the power button for 10 seconds, then try again. Some Macs require specific settings in the firmware before Linux will install correctly. Restart your Mac, hold Command and R during startup to enter Recovery Mode, click Utilities in the menu bar, select Firmware Settings, and look for options related to security or boot mode. The exact names vary by Mac model, but you are looking for settings that allow booting from external drives or reduce security restrictions temporarily.

If you backed up your Mac before starting, you can restore it from that backup using Time Machine or your cloud storage service. This returns your Mac to its state before you began the installation process.

After Linux is installed: first steps

When you first boot into Linux, you will be prompted to create a user account and set a password. Do this before proceeding — you will need the password to install software and change system settings later.

Open the software manager or package manager (the name varies by Linux distribution — Ubuntu calls it "Ubuntu Software", Mint calls it "Software Manager"). Search for and install the programs you use regularly: Firefox, a text editor, media players, or any other tools you need. Most common software is free and installs in seconds from the package manager.

Connect to your Wi-Fi network by clicking the network icon in the top right corner of the screen, selecting your network name, and entering your password. Update your system by opening the terminal (search for "Terminal") and typing sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade, then pressing Enter. Enter your password when prompted. This downloads and installs security updates and bug fixes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will installing Linux delete my files?

A clean install will erase everything on your Mac. A dual boot installation will not touch your existing files because it installs into the empty space you created. Either way, back up your Mac before starting. If something goes wrong during dual boot, your macOS partition and files remain intact.

Can I go back to macOS after installing Linux?

If you performed a clean install, you can restore your Mac from the backup you made before installation. If you set up dual boot, macOS is still on your drive and you can select it from the startup menu. Switching back is a restart away.

Why does my Mac not appear in the startup menu when I hold Option?

Some Macs require firmware changes to boot from USB. Restart your Mac, hold Command and R to enter Recovery Mode, click Utilities, select Firmware Settings, and look for boot security or external boot options. The exact menu names vary by Mac model and macOS version.

What if the USB drive does not work after I prepare it?

The USB drive may not have written correctly. Eject it, reinsert it into the second computer, open Etcher again, and repeat the flash process. Make sure you selected the correct USB drive in Etcher — selecting the wrong drive erases it. If the drive still does not work, try a different USB drive.

Is Linux safe to use on a Mac?

Linux is a stable operating system used on millions of computers and servers. On a Mac, it works the same way it does on any other computer. The main difference is that you lose access to macOS-specific software like Final Cut Pro or Logic Pro, and some hardware features like the trackpad may not work perfectly depending on your Mac model and the Linux distribution you chose.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.