I'm considering installing Ubuntu on my dad's early 2015 MacBook Air (model A1466). He suggested I check online to see if anyone has attempted this and what their experiences were.
3 Answers
You might run into some issues with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and camera drivers, but overall, it should run smoothly once you get those sorted out.
Installing Ubuntu on the 2015 MacBook Air is quite straightforward, but keep in mind it will completely erase macOS, so make sure to back up your data first. Here’s a quick rundown of what to do:
1. Backup your files using Time Machine or create an installer USB for macOS if you want the option to revert later.
2. Disable FileVault and sign out of iCloud.
3. Download Ubuntu 24.04 LTS or any other preferred distro.
4. Create a bootable USB using balenaEtcher or terminal commands.
5. Boot from the USB by holding the Option key at startup and selecting the USB icon.
6. Install Ubuntu by choosing to erase the disk and install, plus check for third-party software support during the install process.
7. After installing, update your system and install any necessary drivers for Wi-Fi and battery management.
Just a heads-up that while trackpad and sound should work fine, make sure to keep a macOS USB installer handy just in case you want to go back!
Definitely! I recommend checking out resource pages that can give you more detailed guidance. Also, take regular backups and maybe even try setting up a virtual machine to experiment before fully committing. You’ll find people talking about this on various forums, so there’s plenty of information out there!
I’ve heard some concerns regarding balenaEtcher regarding privacy. It might be worth checking out Rufus or Ventoy instead.