How to install Linux on a Mac: Replacing OS X/macOS with Linux

• Download your Linux distribution to the Mac.
• Download and install an app called Etcher from Etcher.io.
• Open Etcher and click the Settings icon in the top-right.
• Click Select Image.
• Insert your USB Thumb Drive.
• Click Change under Select Drive.
• Click Flash!

Can Mac run Linux programs?

Most Linux applications run on compatible versions of Linux. You can start at You can run several different versions of *nixes on Intel Macs using the Parallels Desktop for Mac virtual machine software () as well as all extant versions of Windows and a few other operating systems.

Is Linux compatible with Mac?

3 Answers. Mac OS is based on a BSD code base, while Linux is an independent development of a unix-like system. This means that these systems are similar, but not binary compatible. Furthermore, Mac OS has lots of applications that are not open source and are build on libraries that are not open source.