How to Convert .VMDK Files to .DMG Format: A Step-by-Step Guide for Installing macOS Catalina on Virtual Machines

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Introduction

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Virtualization has revolutionized the way we approach operating system installations. With tools like VMware and VirtualBox, it's now easier than ever to run multiple operating systems on a single machine without having to partition your hard drive or deal with complex hardware compatibility issues.

One popular file format used for virtual machines is .VMDK (Virtual Machine Disk Image), which can be easily converted into other formats such as .DMG (Disk Image) using third-party software. In this article, we'll focus on converting VMDK files to DMG format specifically for installing macOS Catalina on various virtual platforms.

Why Convert from VMDK to DMG?

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The primary reason for converting a VMDV or VMDK file into a .DMG (Disk Image) format is that it allows users who are running older versions of macOS, such as El Capitan or earlier, to install newer versions like Catalina without having access to the App Store. Additionally, some virtualization software might not support DMG files natively.

Prerequisites

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Before proceeding with this guide, ensure you have:

1. A computer that can run a 64-bit version of macOS (Catalina or later)

2. An up-to-date version of VirtualBox or VMware Fusion installed on your system

Step-by-Step Conversion Guide:

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### Step 1: Download and Install the Required Tools

* For Windows users, download 'VirtualBox'(https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Download_VirtualBox) from its official website.

* On macOS (or using an older version of macOS), you can simply use the built-in `hdiutil` command.

### Step 2: Convert VMDK to DMG

1. Launch VirtualBox or your preferred virtualization software.

2. Create a new virtual machine and select 'MacOS 10' as the operating system (it doesn't matter which version).

3. In the next window, click on 'Browse' under 'Hard disk'.

4. Navigate to where you've saved your VMDK file and double-click it.

### Step

Alternatively:

1. Open Terminal or Command Prompt depending upon your OS.

2. Type `hdiutil convert -o output.dmg input.vmdk` replacing both the 'output' part with a name of choice for your final DMG image, and 'input.vmdk' with the actual path to your VMDK file.

Troubleshooting Tips:

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* If you encounter any issues during conversion or while trying to boot up macOS from the newly created .DMG file, ensure that both VirtualBox/VMware Fusion and the latest version of `hdiutil` are installed on your system.

* Also, make sure that your virtual machine is properly configured for running 64-bit operating systems.

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With these simple steps, you should now be able to easily convert .VMDK files into a format compatible with macOS Catalina installations. Remember to always exercise caution when downloading and installing third-party software from the internet, especially if it's not directly obtained through official channels.

By following this guide, users can enjoy the flexibility of running multiple operating systems on their machine without having to worry about compatibility issues or dealing with complex file format conversions each time they want to switch between different virtual environments. Happy virtualizing!

Vmdk to dmg