how to setup macOS(v15.5), Ubuntu(24.04) and Windows(10) on an intel-based Mac Mini on the same internal SSD.

in order to test Umfeld better on 3 different Operating Systems ( macOS, Ubuntu Linux, and Windows ) i prepared a cup of coffee and took on the challenge to install all 3 onto a single intel-based Mac Mini. it took me a few detours but it sort of works now. the Operating Systems selection process is still a bit quirky … but they all three run natively.

and yes i did consider using virtual environments ( e.g UTM which is pretty nice ) but it turns out that even there the ARM architecture of my MacBook Pro M3 ( i.e Apple Silicon ) prooved to be stubborn … again. e.g no FFmpeg version beyond 4 is available with apt on Ubuntu and on Windows MSYS UCRT64 installer does not even start …

well here is what i did to get it working on an intel-based Mac Mini:

Tri-Boot Setup on Intel-Based Mac Mini

how to setup macOS(v15.5), Ubuntu(24.04) and Windows(10) on a single intel-based Mac Mini on the same internal SSD:

  • clean macOS install
  • boot into Recovery Mode ( CMD+R )
  • disable protection in Startup Security Utility
    • go to Utilities > Startup Security Utility
    • set Secure Boot to No Security
    • set Allowed Boot Media to Allow booting from external…
  • disable System Integrity Protection (SIP)
    • go to Utilities > Terminal ( CMD+SHIFT+T )
    • run command csrutil disable
    • consider re-enabling this after installtion is complete
  • re-boot into macOS
  • download Windows 10 (64-bit)
  • download Ubuntu 24.04 Desktop (64-bit)
  • create a bootable USB stick following these instructions
  • open Disk Utility application form /Applications/Utilities ( CMD+SHIFT+U in Finder )
  • create Linux partition
    • select from menu View > Show All Devices ( CMD+2 )
    • select internal SSD e.g Macintosh HD @note(this is top level volume or device not a partition)
    • click Partition in tool bar ( CMD+SHIFT+P )
    • click +, choose Add Partition
    • select Size @note(e.g 83GB it is suggested to give it a minimum 64GB)
    • select Format as APFS @note(ExFAT and MS-DOS (FAT) seem to get erased by Boot Camp Assistent)
    • click Apply
    • @optional(right-click on new partition and select Delete APFS Volume…) @note(<- not sure if this is necessary)
    • @optional(maybe take note of the volumes ID e.g disk2)
  • start Boot Camp Assistent form /Applications/Utilities ( CMD+SHIFT+U in Finder )
  • boot into Windows and run setup
    • @optional(select I don’t have a Product Key)
    • @optional(select Windows 10 Pro)
  • once Windows is installed, re-boot and hold ALT to bring up boot menu
  • connect Ubuntu bootable USB stick
  • select EFI Boot
  • select Try or Install Ubuntu
  • in Ubuntu desktop double-click and run Install Ubunutu
    • choose country, keyboard and connection
    • choose “Interactive Installation”
    • after choosing installation flavour
    • choose Manual installation ( ⚠️ Important ⚠️ )
    • select the correct drive … this is a bit tricky to identify … look e.g for size e.g 83GB … or device ID e.g nvme0n1p5 or type e.g APFS
    • example layout: 
        | Partition | Size      | Format | Likely Use                                       |
  | --------- | --------- | ------ | ------------------------------------------------ |
  | nvme0n1p1 | 314.57 MB | VFAT   | **EFI partition** (used by macOS/Windows/Ubuntu) |
  | nvme0n1p2 | 74.00 GB  | APFS   | **macOS**                                        |
  | nvme0n1p3 | 10.00 GB  | exFAT  | maybe Boot Camp helper or recovery               |
  | nvme0n1p4 | 83.68 GB  | NTFS   | **Windows**                                      |
  | nvme0n1p5 | 83.00 GB  | APFS   | likely **Ubuntu** partition**                    |
    • select Ubuntu partition e.g nvme0n1p5
    • click Change
    • for Used as choose Ext4
    • for Mount point choose /
    • press OK
    • check Format check box
    • select EFI system partition
    • for Mount point: choose /boot/efi
    • uncheck Format check box
    • for Device for boot loader installation choose the internal SSD e.g nvme0n1
    • click Next
    • follow the instruction to finish the installation
  • reboot and disconnect bootable USB stick right away
  • now all 3 systems are installed
    • to select macOS press ALT at start up to bring up boot menu
    • to select Ubuntu just re-boot without pressing any key ( GRUB menu will appear )
    • to select Windows either way works

NOTE: this process might work on other Macintosh machines as long as they are intel-based Macintosh.