VirtualBox is a free, open-source virtualization solution that supports macOS guests (with some limitations).
# 1. Create a blank temporary disk image container (7.5GB) hdiutil create -o /tmp/Sierra -size 7500m -layout SPUD -fs HFS+J # 2. Mount the temporary disk container onto your filesystem hdiutil attach /tmp/Sierra.dmg -noverify -mountpoint /Volumes/SierraInstaller # 3. Extract the installer files into the newly created volume sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Sierra.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/SierraInstaller --nointeraction # 4. Unmount the newly created installer disk volume safely hdiutil detach /Volumes/Install\ macOS\ Sierra # 5. Convert the DMG file format into a universal cross-platform CDR image hdiutil convert /tmp/Sierra.dmg -format UDTO -o ~/Desktop/Sierra.cdr # 6. Change the file extension from .cdr to a standard bootable .iso format mv ~/Desktop/Sierra.cdr ~/Desktop/Sierra.iso # 7. Clean up the temporary cache files left in your directory rm /tmp/Sierra.dmg Use code with caution.
Use Apple’s native createinstallmedia tool embedded inside the installer app to write the macOS Sierra installation data onto your temporary volume: mac os sierra 10.12 6 iso download
Standard Apple installers come in the .DMG format, which works natively on real Mac hardware. However, Windows-based PC software and virtual machine managers cannot read DMG files directly.
An ISO file is a standard disk image file format recognized across multiple operating systems. While Apple natively uses the DMG format for installer packages, an ISO file is required for specific deployment scenarios: Mount the temporary disk container onto your filesystem
Always verify the MD5/SHA256 checksum of the downloaded file to ensure it is authentic and hasn't been tampered with. How to Install macOS Sierra 10.12.6 (ISO) in VirtualBox
If you receive an error stating the installer is "damaged" and cannot be used, it is often due to an expired security certificate. You can sometimes bypass this by temporarily changing your system date to a time closer to the software's release (e.g., 2017) using the date 010514102017 before starting the installation. Important Note: Convert the DMG file format into a universal
To ensure security and system stability, avoid downloading pre-made ISO files from unverified third-party blogs. Instead, download the authentic foundation directly from Apple.
Apple recommends this update for all macOS Sierra users, and it remains the definitive version of Sierra for anyone needing to run this operating system.
You may want to download Mac OS Sierra 10.12.6 ISO for various reasons: