Install macOS Mojave on VMware Fusion using original .ISO installer from Apple

Andy

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In this tutorial, we'll learn how to convert Install macOS Mojave.app to .ISO so we can use it to install on VMware Fusion 🥳

To create the macOS Mojave installer, you will need a working Mac with Apple ID logged in to the App Store.

Go to App Store and 'Get' the macOS Mojave from the Utilities section.

As it finishes downloading, it will then launch the macOS Mojave installer, you can safely close that installer.

The macOS Mojave installer should now available on /Applications/Install macOS Mojave.app

Here are the steps to convert that Install macOS Mojave.app to an .ISO:
  • Open Terminal on your Mac and enter the command below:
    Bash:
    hdiutil create -o /tmp/Mojave.cdr -size 12000m -layout SPUD -fs HFS+J
  • This is going to create a temporary virtual disk file in your /tmp directory. Once its done you can attach and mount the virtual disk:
    Bash:
    hdiutil attach /tmp/Mojave.cdr.dmg -noverify -mountpoint /Volumes/install_build
  • Now we’re ready to extract and create an installable image from the Mojave download. Enter the command shown below to extract an installable image onto the mounted virtual disk. The command needs to run elevated so it is going to prompt you for credentials. After you’ve entered your credentials it is going to ask you to confirm, confirm with “Y” and “Enter”:
    Bash:
    sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Mojave.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/install_build
  • Next we’re going to move the contents of the virtual disk into a .dmg file on your desktop:
    Bash:
    mv -v /tmp/Mojave.cdr.dmg ~/Desktop/InstallSystem.dmg
  • Now we’re almost ready. Next detach the virtual disk (installer):
    Bash:
    hdiutil detach /Volumes/Install\ macOS\ Mojave
  • One of the last steps we have to take is to convert the newly created “InstallSystem.dmg” into a .iso file, enter the command below to achieve this:
    Bash:
    hdiutil convert ~/Desktop/InstallSystem.dmg -format UDTO -o ~/Desktop/Mojave.iso
    Lastly we need to change the filetype of the file “Mojave.iso.cdr” on your desktop. Select the file and hit enter, now rename the file to “Mojave.iso” it is going to prompt you if you are sure; select “Use .iso” and we’re done!

    Now you can proceed to boot and install macOS Mojave in your virtual machine.

    Here's my Terminal.app output when creating my .ISO:
    Bash:
    Last login: Fri Apr 12 12:41:55 on console
    macmini:~ andy$ hdiutil create -o /tmp/Mojave.cdr -size 12000m -layout SPUD -fs HFS+J
    created: /tmp/Mojave.cdr.dmg
    macmini:~ andy$ hdiutil attach /tmp/Mojave.cdr.dmg -noverify -mountpoint /Volumes/install_build
    /dev/disk3              Apple_partition_scheme        
    /dev/disk3s1            Apple_partition_map            
    /dev/disk3s2            Apple_HFS                          /Volumes/install_build
    macmini:~ andy$ sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Mojave.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/install_build
    Password:
    Ready to start.
    To continue we need to erase the volume at /Volumes/install_build.
    If you wish to continue type (Y) then press return: Y
    Erasing disk: 0%... 10%... 20%... 30%... 100%
    Copying to disk: 0%... 10%... 20%... 30%... 40%... 50%... 60%... 100%
    Making disk bootable...
    Copying boot files...
    Install media now available at "/Volumes/Install macOS Mojave"
    macmini:~ andy$ mv -v /tmp/Mojave.cdr.dmg ~/Desktop/InstallSystem.dmg
    /tmp/Mojave.cdr.dmg -> /Users/andy/Desktop/InstallSystem.dmg
    macmini:~ andy$ hdiutil detach /Volumes/Install\ macOS\ Mojave
    "disk3" ejected.
    macmini:~ andy$ hdiutil convert ~/Desktop/InstallSystem.dmg -format UDTO -o ~/Desktop/Mojave.iso
    Reading Driver Descriptor Map (DDM : 0)…
    Reading Apple (Apple_partition_map : 1)…
    Reading  (Apple_Free : 2)…
    Reading disk image (Apple_HFS : 3)…
    ..............................................................................
    Elapsed Time: 56.989s
    Speed: 210.6Mbytes/sec
    Savings: 0.0%
    created: /Users/andy/Desktop/Mojave.iso.cdr
    macmini:~ andy$ mv -v /Users/andy/Desktop/Mojave.iso.cdr /Users/andy/Desktop/Mojave.iso
    /Users/andy/Desktop/Mojave.iso.cdr -> /Users/andy/Desktop/Mojave.iso
    macmini:~ andy$
Tested on VMware Fusion Professional Version 11.0.3 (12992109) and it worked 🥳

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