Installing Arch Linux on a MacBook Air with macOS Big Sur

For those who are interested in exploring the world of Linux, installing Arch Linux on a MacBook Air can be a thrilling experience. Fortunately, Apple makes this relatively painless by allowing users to create an external startup disk from which to install macOS Big Sur. In this article, we will guide you through the process of installing Arch Linux on your MacBook Air with macOS Big Sur.

Before proceeding, it is essential to note that this guide is specifically designed for the MacBookPro11,3 model and may not be applicable to more recent MacBooks. If you are unsure about your MacBook's model identifier, you can easily find it by going to Apple Menu > About This Mac > System Report.

To begin with, you will need an external drive or secondary volume as a startup disk from which to install macOS Big Sur. This will allow you to create a bootable installer for Arch Linux. The process is relatively straightforward and involves creating a bootable USB drive using the macOS Install Assistant.

Once you have created your bootable installer, you can restart your MacBook Air in recovery mode by holding down the 'R' key while powering it on. From here, you will be able to select the external startup disk as the boot device and initiate the installation process for Arch Linux.

As with any major operating system change, it is essential to back up all of your important files and data before proceeding with the installation. Additionally, it is recommended that you disable System Integrity Protection (SIP) to allow for a clean installation of Arch Linux.

The installation process itself is relatively straightforward and involves following the standard Arch Linux installation procedure. This includes partitioning your hard drive, installing the base system, and configuring your network settings.

In the next part of this series, we will delve deeper into the installation process and provide more detailed instructions on how to install Arch Linux on your MacBook Air with macOS Big Sur. Stay tuned for Part 2!

Arch linux macbook air