How to Install Kali Linux on VirtualBox on a Mac

As a cybersecurity enthusiast, you may be interested in running a virtual machine of Kali Linux on your Mac. In this article, we will go over the steps to install Kali Linux on VirtualBox on a Mac.

I recently tried installing Kali for VirtualBox and encountered some issues. I tested both Windowed and Full Screen modes on my Mac with two monitors: one built-in and an external monitor connected through a dock. I also experimented with acceleration disabled and enabled, as well as scaling issues that sometimes arise in VMware.

Keep in mind that high-resolution screens like the one on my 2016 Mac (2880 x 1800) can cause virtual machines to struggle with handling resolution changes. In Kali, I found that 'Auto resize' was enabled by default, which caused the screen to change unexpectedly. To fix this issue, I adjusted settings in the View menu and inside Kali.

When installing Kali on VirtualBox, make sure to disable 3D acceleration by default. You can also experiment with Graphics Controller settings under Display, such as VMSVGA, VboxVGA, or VboxSVGA. As a first-time user of VirtualBox, it may take some time to get familiar with the basic settings.

My Mac specs include a Core i7 processor with Intel HD Graphics 530 on chip and an AMD Radeon Pro 460 graphics card. I installed VirtualBox 6.1.44 due to compatibility issues with macOS 7.1.

If you're experiencing crashes when attempting to access privacy-sensitive data, ensure that the app's information string contains an .audio-input key explaining how the app uses this data. For my case, I received a report stating that the app crashed because it attempted to access privacy-sensitive data without a usage description.

As a student in a networking program at community college and aspiring cybersecurity professional, I hope someone with experience can help me resolve these issues. The problems occur when opening reports or loading up Kali Linux on VirtualBox.

To start fresh, I erased my Mac due to installation issues with Xcode getting stuck in the App Store. You can download the current version of VirtualBox (7.0) and use the proper ISO for Kali and ParrotOS.

By following these steps and troubleshooting tips, you should be able to successfully install Kali Linux on VirtualBox on your Mac.

Install kali linux virtualbox mac