Sometimes updating your real Mac to the latest version is risky, but keeping our PC up to date is very important. Because with every update comes security performance with every update, and its importance in portion of updating. Like if you are using macOS, or Windows, always keep your Mac up to date due to security issues.
For example, updating your Mac to macOS Catalina final version or updating macOS Catalina to the recent operating system of Apple Inc. Still, macOS Big Sur 11 is in Beta version but there is a better solution in order to boost up your experience in the era of updating until the final version outs. You can use macOS Big Sur 11 on your Mac using VMware Fusion or VirtualBox. Also, if you are a Windows user easily you can install macOS Big Sur on VMware Workstation/VMware Player or VirtualBox.
Related:
Don’t forget that updating to the beta version of any operating system can be harmful. If you are using a virtual machine then there won’t be any problem, easily without any issues you can update macOS to a recent operating system. On that other hand, I recommend you do not update your actual Mac to the latest operating system macOS Big Sur, because it is in Beta version, there would be lots of Bugs, security issues.
- How to Install macOS 11 Big Sur on VirtualBox on Windows PC
- How to Install macOS Big Sur on VMware Fusion on Mac
- How to Install macOS 11 Big Sur on VMware on Windows PC
macOS Big Sur 11
At the recent WWDC “Worldwide Developer Conference” Apple kicked out the latest macOS Big Sur, iOS 14, iPad OS 14, watchOS, tvOS, and the new ARM-Based Silicon Processor for upcoming MacBooks. On the other hand, the macOS Big Sur is developed to support upcoming MacBooks with ARM-Based Processor. Alongside, Apple introduced the new Apple watch, new Mac, and new MacBooks in 2020 Apple Keynote. macOS Big Sur is the succeed major release of macOS Catalina 10.15 developed for Macintosh computers. On the other hand, macOS Big Sur consists of new refreshed refined user interface, Control center, Curved applications and notification edges, Fastest update for Safari browser, new Apps introduced in Mac Catalyst.
What is Virtual Machine?
Virtual Machine is an emulation of a computer system, Virtual machines are based on computer architectures and provide the functionality of a physical computer. Their implementations may involve specialized hardware, software, or a combination.
There are few virtual machines like Hyper-V, VMware Workstation, VMware Fusion, and VirtualBox. All of them are open-source which you can install a different OS on that. But according to providing the best environment VMware Workstation allows you the best environment of installment.
What is Update?
When the latest version of an operating system of application releases in the App Store. Automatically or by manually checking we get the notifications of that to update to the latest version. Sometimes updating can be very important for us, after updating we get the latest features, and many more. And through this guide, I will explore how to update macOS Catalina to macOS Big Sur on Virtual Machine.
Update macOS Catalina to macOS Big Sur on Virtual Machine
The updating procedure between an actual machine and Virtual machine is the same. Before updating macOS Catalina to macOS Big Sur you need to have a pre-installed macOS Catalina on Virtual machine in order to update to macOS Big Sur. If you don’t know how to install macOS Catalina on Virtual machines then check the below links.
- How to Install macOS Catalina 10.15 on VMware on Windows PC
- How to Install macOS Catalina 10.15 on VirtualBox on Windows PC
Still, macOS Big Sur is Beta version and the update is not available in the App Store. Therefore, manually through the Assistant Package installer, we will download the macOS Big Sur Beta version. If you don’t know how to do that then follow the below instructions.
- Download macOS Big Sur Assistant Package installer
Download the macOS Big Sur Assitant Package installer on your macOS Catalina. The file will be downloaded with the following name “macOSDevloperBetaAcessUtility”. Double-click on that to extract the installer file, again double-click to open it. And double-click on “macOSDeveloperBetaAccessUtilit.pkg” to launch the installation.
When the installation opened, in the welcome window “Introduction” click continue.
- Agree with the terms and conditions of the Assistant Package installer.
- On the installation window click the “Install” option, enter the username password, and click the “Install Software” option.
- Wait until the installation should be completed.
- Once the installation completed click close.
Check for macOS Big Sur Update
When the Assistant Package installer successfully installed on macOS Catalina on Virtual Machine. Automatically, another window will open and starts checking for macOS Big Sur Beta version update.
Once the update searched click on the “Upgrade Now” option.
When you clicked on the upgrade now, it will start downloading the macOS Big Sur. The downloading process may take some time, but it depends on your internet connection.
While the macOS Big Sur update successfully downloaded the installation window will pop-up. So, to set up the installation of macOS click continue.
Agree with the terms and conditions of macOS Big Sur to continue the installation.
When you reached to this window to select the disk to install macOS Big Sur you will see the following error “The operation couldn’t be completed. “BiErrorDomain error 3.”. Because of this error, you can’t select the disk to install macOS Big Sur.
Fix the operation couldn’t be completed. “BiErrorDomain error 3.”
This error one of the known common errors in macOS Big Sur, that required Board ID number. In that case, we searched and found the solution to this error. You can check the below link to fix this error or check the below picture guide.
To fix the “BiErrorDomain error 3.” completely “Power off the virtual machine”.
Over ahead to macOS Catalina location, then right-click on VMX file, and open with Notepad.
When the VMX file opened with notepad scroll down at the end of the commands, apply the below commands and press Ctrl+S to save changes.
smbios.reflectHost = "TRUE"
hw.model = "MacBookPro14,3"
board-id = "Mac-551B86E5744E2388"
When the commands applied, over ahead to virtual machine “Power on the virtual machine” back. And continue the installation, select the disk where you want to install macOS Big Sur, and click install. Enter the password of the username and click “Add Helper”.
Wait for the installation to be completed, when the installation completed automatically the virtual machine will restart.
Once the macOS Catalina to macOS Big Sur successfully updated in virtual machine enter your password and press enter.
Wait for setting up the Mac for the first use.
Here it is, macOS Catalina is being successfully updated to macOS Big Sur 11 on Virtual machine go ahead and enjoy the latest macOS operating system.
For using macOS Big Sur full-screen resolution you have to install the “VMware Tools”. VMware tools is a helper tool which allows the users to have the full access to hidden features of an operating system on VMware Workstation/VMware Player. On the other hand, VMware tools allow you to enter full-screen mode on macOS Big Sur 11. Check the below link to know the process of installing VMware Tools on macOS Big Sur.
It keeps asking for password (with Big Sur UI, that means that I have it installed), but I cannot continue. I type my password, then black screen, some commands in the top left and after a few seconds, it asks the password again
Hi Fede have you followed the proper steps which I have followed?
I installed the access utility pkg, but I can’t see macOS beta in software update
Update macOS Catalina to macOS Big Sur from System preferences and Software updates.