We all know that Mac OS is extremely popular with users. However, Mac OS can only be used with Mac machines. Now it’s easy to migrate Mac OS 10.12 into a virtual machine. Follow the simple steps to achieve it.

  1. VMware ESXi 6.0 doesn’t support OS X out of the box. So, the first thing you need to do is to customise the hypervisor layer by executing an Unlocker script by insanelymac.com. Please note that you will need to register on the site in order to download the Unlocker tool
  2. You need to enable SSH service on your ESXi host. In order to do that, login to the host using VMware vSphere Client and navigate to Configuration->Security Profile. From here click on Properties in the upper right corner where it says Services. The dialog Services Properties should appear and from here you can click on SSH->Options and choose Start and Stop with host. Click Start and then close all the open dialogs
  3. Transfer the Unlocker-files to the host using any SFTP client. Make sure you extract the files somewhere on your client before transfer and connect to the ESXi host using the user root. Once connected navigate to /vmfs/volumes/datastore/, replacing datastore with your actual datastore name. Create a new folder (mkdir) called tools and transfer your unlockerXXX directory
  4. Now cd into the uploaded directory and ensure the ESXi scripts have execute permissions by running chmod +x esxi-install.sh. Now run ./esxi-install.sh in order to install the Unlocker

    5. MAC vm1

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  5. Reboot the ESXi host

Download and create the bootable OS X Sierra ISO

Grab the Sierra installer app from the Apple App Store. Note, you need a real Mac in order to download and convert the Sierra installation disk. Once downloaded, minimize or close the installer.

Open the terminal and run the below command one after another.
# Mount the installer image hdiutil attach /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Sierra.app/Contents/SharedSupport/InstallESD.dmg -noverify -nobrowse -mountpoint /Volumes/install_app

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# Create the Sierra Blank ISO Image of 7316mb with a Single Partition – Apple Partition Map
hdiutil create -o /tmp/Sierra.cdr -size 7316m -layout SPUD -fs HFS+J

# Mount the Sierra Blank ISO Image hdiutil attach /tmp/Sierra.cdr.dmg -noverify -nobrowse -mountpoint /Volumes/install_build

# Restore the Base System into the Sierra Blank ISO Image asr restore -source /Volumes/install_app/BaseSystem.dmg -target /Volumes/install_build -noprompt -noverify -erase

# Remove Package link and replace with actual files rm /Volumes/OS\ X\ Base\ System/System/Installation/Packages cp -rp /Volumes/install_app/Packages /Volumes/OS\ X\ Base\ System/System/Installation/

# Copy Sierra installer dependencies cp -rp /Volumes/install_app/BaseSystem.chunklist /Volumes/OS\ X\ Base\ System/BaseSystem.chunklist cp -rp /Volumes/install_app/BaseSystem.dmg /Volumes/OS\ X\ Base\ System/BaseSystem.dmg

# Unmount the installer image hdiutil detach /Volumes/install_app

# Unmount the Sierra ISO Image hdiutil detach /Volumes/OS\ X\ Base\ System/

# Convert the Sierra ISO Image to ISO/CD master (Optional) hdiutil convert /tmp/ElCapitan.cdr.dmg -format UDTO -o /tmp/ElCapitan.iso

# Detach the volumes
hdiutil detach /Volumes/install_app
hdiutil detach /Volumes/OS\ X\ Base\ System/
hdiutil convert /tmp/Sierra.cdr.dmg -format UDTO -o /tmp/Sierra.iso

# Rename the Sierra ISO Image and move it to the desktop
mv /tmp/Sierra.iso.cdr ~/Desktop/Sierra.iso

Note : Once done it should have created a file called Sierra.iso on your desktop.

Create a virtual Mac OS X VM

The next step should be fairly simple if you have used ESXi before. As usual open your datastore and transfer the iso to wherever you normally store your installation files.

  1. Create a new vm,

    2. MAC vm2

  2. Select Typical and you should be able to select Other and then Apple Mac OS X 10.10 (64-bit). Complete the wizard, mount the ISO and install Mac OS X as usual.

    3. MAC vm3

  3. Choose desired language once you see the welcome screen,

    4. MAC vm 4

  4. Please note that you must format the hard drive using the disk utility before it will be visible in the install wizard

    5. MAC vm5

  5. Choose Virtual disk and erase the partition

    6. MAC vm6

  6. Give a name and click “Erase”

    7. MAC vm7

  7. Click “Continue” button on the next consecutive screen, choose the Virtual HDD which is created and proceed the installation with on-screen instructions

Configure Mac OS X

It’s very important to install the VMware Tools as soon as possible after the install has finished. Without it Mac OS X might not awake from sleep and in general be very unreliable.

Very Important : I also recommend to turn off sleep and the screensaver in settings as these may cause issues.

Finally, reboot and start enjoying your virtual Mac on non-Apple hardware.

You may also wish to read the software license agreement for Mac OS Sierra.

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(Disclaimer: The process potentially violates Apple’s End User License Agreement for macOS. Please check the Agreement before following these steps.)

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