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How to Install Kali Linux on an Apple Silicon Mac Using UTM#

Overview#

This guide shows you how to install Kali Linux on an Apple Silicon Mac by using UTM. UTM is a QEMU-based hypervisor and emulator that uses hardware acceleration for better performance.

Before you begin#

Make sure you have the following:

  • An Apple Silicon Mac with an M1 or M2 chip
  • At least 50 GB of free disk space
  • The UTM app
  • The ARM64 version of the Kali Linux ISO image

Installation steps#

Download software#

Configure the virtual machine#

  1. Open UTM: Start the UTM app and select Create a New Virtual Machine.

    Create a new VM

  2. Set up the virtual machine: Choose Virtualize, and then select Linux as the operating system.

    Virtualize

  3. Import the Kali Linux ISO: Add the ISO image you downloaded earlier.

    Add downloaded ISO

Install Kali Linux#

  1. Configure hardware settings: Set the memory to 4 GB, the number of CPU cores to 4, and enable OpenGL acceleration.

  2. Allocate disk space: Provide at least 30 GB of disk space for the virtual machine.

  3. Name the virtual machine: Enter a name for your virtual machine.

  4. Save your settings: Choose Save to create the virtual machine.

  5. Add a serial device: Go to the settings for your virtual machine and add a serial device. You'll need this for the installation process.

  6. Start the installation: Turn on the virtual machine and follow the on-screen prompts to:

    • Choose a system language
    • Set up your timezone and keyboard
    • Create a user account
    • Partition the virtual disk
    • Choose a desktop environment

After the installation#

  1. Turn off the virtual machine.
  2. Remove the serial device from your virtual machine settings.
  3. Eject the Kali Linux ISO image.
  4. Turn on the virtual machine.
  5. Once you're logged in, open a terminal and run the following command to update the list of available packages and their versions:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Troubleshooting and fixes#

Resolve update command failures#

You might run into update command failures after installing Kali Linux. Often, the issue arises from outdated or incorrect repository links in your sources list. To fix this:

  1. Open the terminal.
  2. Run the following command to update your sources list:
echo "deb http://http.kali.org/kali kali-rolling main non-free contrib" > /etc/apt/sources.list

This command replaces your existing sources list with a verified repository.

Choose a clean installation when necessary#

If you experience system inconsistencies that are hard to pinpoint, a clean installation might be your best course of action. This can resolve issues ranging from software conflicts to corrupted files.

To perform a clean installation:

  1. Back up any important data.
  2. Open the UTM control panel.
  3. Delete the existing virtual machine.
  4. Follow the initial setup instructions to create a new virtual machine.

Enhance your virtual machine with Guest Additions#

After setting up Kali Linux and resolving any initial issues, consider enhancing your system with Guest Additions. This add-on improves performance and adds new features.

To install Guest Additions:

  1. Open the terminal in your Kali Linux virtual machine.
  2. Run the following command:
apt install qb-additions

This installs the Guest Additions package, enabling functionalities like seamless mouse integration, improved display resolutions, and more efficient file sharing between the host and the virtual machine.

Further resources and learning paths#

Exploring advanced tools in Kali Linux#

After setting up Kali Linux on your Apple Silicon Mac, explore a variety of cybersecurity tools available for tasks like network analysis, penetration testing, and digital forensics. Here are some tools worth checking out:

These tools can enhance your Kali Linux experience, helping you tackle various cybersecurity challenges.