In this post, we’ll guide you on how to download macOS Mojave ISO suitable for VMware and VirtualBox, and how to use it for your virtual machine setup.
Looking to experience macOS Mojave without installing it directly on your Apple hardware? Whether you’re a developer testing your apps on older macOS versions or an enthusiast exploring Apple’s operating systems, virtualization offers a perfect solution. Using tools like VMware and VirtualBox, you can run macOS Mojave in a virtual environment with full functionality and minimal risk to your host system.
But before you begin, you’ll need the most crucial component: the macOS Mojave ISO image. Apple never officially provides ISO files — only the .app installer via the Mac App Store or .DMG files for certain recovery purposes. So if you’re setting up macOS Mojave in a virtual machine, you’ll need a properly converted and pre-configured ISO image.
Table of Contents
What is macOS Mojave?
macOS Mojave (version 10.14) was released by Apple in 2018 and marked a significant upgrade with the introduction of Dark Mode, Stacks for desktop organization, and the new Screenshot utility. It was also the last macOS version to support 32-bit applications, making it a critical version for users who rely on older software.
Mojave also brought better security, improved Finder capabilities (with Quick Actions and Gallery View), and the Apple News, Stocks, and Voice Memos apps to the Mac platform. As such, Mojave remains a popular macOS release for retro-compatibility testing and lightweight system simulations.
Why Use a macOS Mojave ISO on VMware or VirtualBox?
Virtual machines provide an ideal testing ground or development sandbox without the need for separate physical hardware. Here’s why using a macOS Mojave ISO on VMware or VirtualBox can be useful:
- App Testing: Run and test older apps that may not work on modern macOS versions.
- Software Development: Ideal for developers creating cross-version compatible macOS applications.
- Educational Purpose: Learn how macOS works internally in a safe, virtualized environment.
- Experimentation: Customize system settings, explore Terminal commands, or try scripts without affecting your main OS.
- Backup Access: Restore data from old Time Machine backups tied to Mojave-based Macs.
Whether you’re on Windows, Linux, or even macOS itself, VMware and VirtualBox offer cross-platform support to emulate Mojave easily, as long as you have the right ISO image.
Download macOS Mojave ISO Image
📥 Download macOS Mojave ISO for VMware and VirtualBox
Looking for other macOS Version ISO files?
You can find all macOS ISO files here.
If you want to create a macOS Mojave ISO on your own, you can follow this guide: How to Create macOS Mojave ISO File
This ISO image has been formatted for compatibility with both VMware Workstation/Player and Oracle VirtualBox. Before using it, make sure your virtual machine settings align with Mojave’s hardware requirements:
- Minimum 4 GB RAM (8 GB or more recommended)
- At least 40 GB of disk space
- Enable VT-x/AMD-V (virtualization) in BIOS
- macOS Version set to 10.14 or macOS in VM settings
- SMC and EFI settings are configured properly (depending on the virtualization platform)
How to Use macOS Mojave ISO in VMware or VirtualBox
Here’s a brief overview to get you started:
For VMware:
- Install VMware Workstation Pro or VMware Player.
- Install Unlocker for macOS (required to enable macOS support).
- Create a new virtual machine.
- Select “I will install the operating system later”.
- Choose Apple macOS X > macOS 10.14.
- Attach the macOS Mojave ISO as the boot disk.
- Finalize the VM and power it on to start the installation.
For VirtualBox:
- Install Oracle VirtualBox.
- Create a new VM with macOS 10.14 as the version.
- Allocate resources (CPU, RAM, disk).
- Attach the macOS Mojave ISO to the optical drive.
- Apply necessary VirtualBox commands via Terminal or Command Prompt to ensure smooth boot (e.g.,
VBoxManagetweaks). - Start the VM and follow the macOS installation instructions.
You can also read:
How to Install macOS Mojave On PC – Hackintosh
How to Install macOS Mojave on Parallels Desktop
Conclusion
Installing macOS Mojave in a virtual machine gives you flexibility, backward compatibility, and a safe testing environment — especially valuable for developers and power users. Whether you’re on Windows or Linux, VMware and VirtualBox provide excellent platforms to run macOS virtually. And with a ready-to-use macOS Mojave ISO, you’re just a few steps away from bringing the Mojave desert to your desktop.
Make sure to follow the instructions carefully, ensure your system meets the minimum hardware requirements, and you’ll have macOS Mojave running smoothly in no time. Happy virtualizing!
