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How to Install Kali Linux 2025 on VirtualBox (macOS) – Beginner’s Guide

Vaibhav Gupta

If you’re looking to run Kali Linux 2025 on your macOS system without dual-booting or wiping your drive, the best solution is to use VirtualBox. In this detailed guide, we’ll walk you through how to install Kali Linux 2025 on macOS using VirtualBox, step by step, including VirtualBox extension installation, system configuration, and enabling advanced features like shared clipboard and drag-n-drop.

Whether you’re a cybersecurity enthusiast or just experimenting, this guide is tailored for beginners and pros alike.

If you have a Windows-based OS, here is a guide you can use: How to Install Kali Linux 2025.1A on VirtualBox on a Windows PC: Easy Guide

🛠️ What You’ll Need

Before you begin, make sure you download the following:

  1. VirtualBox for macOS / Apple Silicon
  2. VirtualBox Extension Pack
  3. Kali Linux 2025 ISO (Apple Silicon Installer)

🔽 Step 1: Download VirtualBox and Kali Linux ISO

  1. Open your browser and search for VirtualBox.
  2. Click the official download link from Oracle.
  3. Select macOS / Apple Silicon Host to download VirtualBox for your Mac.
  1. Now, scroll down to find the VirtualBox Extension Pack. Accept the license agreement and download it.

In a new browser tab:

  1. Search for Kali Linux Download.
  2. Open the official Kali Linux website and go to Installer Images.
  1. Under Apple Silicon, click to download the Installer ISO file (~3.5 GB).

💻 Step 2: Install VirtualBox and the Extension Pack

  1. Locate your downloads:
    • Kali Linux ISO
    • VirtualBox installer
    • Extension pack
  1. Double-click the VirtualBox.pkg file to install the application. Follow the onscreen instructions and complete the installation.
  1. Open VirtualBox from Launchpad.
  1. Drag and drop the VirtualBox Extension Pack onto the app. Click Install and enter your password to proceed.

🧱 Step 3: Create a New Kali Linux Virtual Machine

  1. Click New in VirtualBox.
  2. Name your VM – e.g., Kali Linux.
  1. Under ISO Image, click the arrow > Others > select the Kali Linux ISO file.
  1. Leave defaults for settings, then go to Hardware.
    • Increase Base Memory to 4 GB
    • Set CPUs to 4 processors (adjust depending on your system)
  1. Click Finish.

🚀 Step 4: Boot and Configure macOS Permissions

  1. Click Start to boot the virtual machine.
  2. You may get macOS pop-ups requesting access:
    • Click Open System Settings
    • Enable Keyboard Access and Accessibility Access for VirtualBox.
    • Enter your Mac password to confirm.

🖥️ Step 5: Begin Kali Linux Installation

  1. If the screen is small, go to View > Scaled Mode to enlarge it.
  1. Select Graphical Install using your keyboard.
  1. Choose your:
    • Language
    • Location
    • Keyboard layout
  2. At Configure the Network:
    • Hostname: Kali
    • Leave domain name blank
  1. Set:
    • Full name: Techrechard
    • Username and password: (make sure to remember these)
  2. Under Partition Disk:
    • Choose Guided – Use entire disk
    • Select your disk
    • Choose All files in one partition
    • Finish partitioning and write changes to disk
    • Confirm Yes

Installation will begin and may take 8–10 minutes.

🔄 Step 6: Reboot and Fix UEFI Boot

After installation:

  1. Click Continue to reboot.
  2. You may land in the UEFI Shell. Do the following:
FS0:
 edit startup.nsh

Inside the editor, type:

FS0:\EFI\kali\grubaa64.efi

Then:

Type:

reset

Press Enter. Your VM will reboot and boot from the hard drive.

🔐 Step 7: Log Into Kali Linux

  1. Select Kali GNU/Linux and press Enter.
  1. Enter your username and password.
  1. Welcome to your Kali Linux desktop!

📦 Step 8: Update and Install Essential Packages

Open Terminal and run:

sudo apt update

Enter your password, then run:

sudo apt install linux-headers-generic

💡 Step 9: Install Guest Additions for Enhanced Features

  1. Go to Devices > Insert Guest Additions CD Image.
  1. A disk icon will appear on your Kali desktop – open it.
  1. Copy the contents to your Documents folder.

Now, in Terminal:

cd Documents
 ls
 sudo chmod 777 VBoxLinuxAdditions-arm64.run
 sudo ./VBoxLinuxAdditions-arm64.run

Exit Scaled Mode via View > Scaled Mode before proceeding.

🔄 Step 10: Enable Shared Clipboard and Drag & Drop

  1. Close your VM.
  2. In VirtualBox, click Settings > Advanced.
  3. Set both Shared Clipboard and Drag’n’Drop to Bidirectional.
  4. Restart your VM.

You can now:

✅ Final Thoughts

Congratulations! You’ve successfully installed Kali Linux 2025 on macOS using VirtualBox. You now have a full-fledged penetration testing environment right inside your Mac without modifying your base system. If you have a Windows-based OS, here is a guide you can use: How to Install Kali Linux 2025.1A on VirtualBox on a Windows PC: Easy Guide

If you run into issues, feel free to drop a comment or check out the video tutorial for visual guidance. And don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more detailed guides.

Thanks for reading! 🐧

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