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Macos Big Sur Iso 2021

Since macOS Big Sur is technically a older operating system (released in 2020, with the final 11.x update released in late 2021), a "review" of a macOS Big Sur ISO 2021 typically refers to evaluating its use for virtual machines (VMs) rather than a review of the OS itself.

Here is a review breakdown of the macOS Big Sur ISO, specifically regarding its utility, stability, and use case in 2024/2025. macos big sur iso 2021

Part 4: Using macOS Big Sur ISO in Virtual Machines (2021 Context)

In 2021, Apple Silicon M1 Macs were exploding in popularity, but Intel-based virtualization was still king for developers testing legacy x86 software. Since macOS Big Sur is technically a older

Create a DMG from the installer

sudo hdiutil create -o ~/Desktop/BigSur.dmg -size 16384m -layout SPUD -fs JHFS+ Part 4: Using macOS Big Sur ISO in

4. Software Compatibility (The 2024 Reality Check)

This is the downside of using a 2021 ISO in the current day:

  • Web Browsing: Safari on Big Sur is starting to show its age. Some modern web features may not render correctly. Recommendation: Install Firefox or Chrome immediately, as they still fully support Big Sur.
  • App Support: Most major apps (Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Cloud, VS Code) still support Big Sur, but support is waning. For example, the latest Xcode versions require Ventura or Sonoma. If you are a developer needing the absolute latest tools, Big Sur is no longer sufficient.
  • Security Updates: Apple has largely stopped releasing major security patches for Big Sur. If you are using this VM for banking or sensitive data, it is a security risk.

VMware Workstation/Player (Windows/Linux)

  • Create a new VM: Apple Mac OS X → macOS 11.0.
  • Set CPU cores ≥2, RAM ≥4096 MB.
  • Add the ISO as a CD/DVD drive.
  • Boot, open Disk Utility, format the virtual disk (APFS), then install.

Step 4: Using the ISO

  • VMware (macOS guest) – Mount as SATA DVD or use as a boot disk.
  • VirtualBox – Works but requires patching for full resolution.
  • UTM/QEMU – Perfectly compatible.
  • USB Boot (real Mac) – Not recommended; use createinstallmedia directly instead.