Install Linux on Mac Mini

The following describes steps to install Ubuntu GNU/Linux on Mac mini (Late 2014), also called Mac mini 7,1 as of July 26, 2025.

The install works with the Ubuntu install instructions with the Ubuntu 24.04 LTS release. Based on internet posts, older versions of Ubuntu Linux and Manjaro/Arch Linux can work for the Mac mini Late 2014 model.

The install works mostly out of the box with the Ubuntu 24.04 LTS installer except for steps required for the Broadcom Wireless network driver which will require a Ethernet cable connection before the WIFI is available. ^{1 2}

The installation assumes using an HDMI monitor. As of writing, the Ubuntu image does not recognize an Apple Thunderbolt monitor until after updates are made to the system.

More detailed instructions with screenshots for the steps below are at [[https://linuxsimply.com/linux-basics/os-installation/dual-boot/ubuntu-on-mac/][Install Ubuntu on Mac [Dual Boot] - LinuxSimply]].

Prepare Boot Media and MacOS

• Follow the Ubuntu install instructions to create an bootable USB.
• On MacOS, back up your data.
• To keep MacOS installed, create a separate partition using the Disk Utility. This partition will be used to install Ubuntu.
• Insert the USB with Ubuntu

Reboot into Ubuntu Installer

• Reboot the Mac mini
• Hold down the Option key (Alt key on US keyboards). Wait until you see the boot disk selection screen and choose EFI.
• If having troubles with getting the selection screen to come up, try turning off the Mac mini and turning it back on and holding the Option key

Rebooting back into MacOS

If you need to ever boot back into MacOS before or after installing Linux, you can repeat the steps above:

• Reboot the Mac mini
• Hold down the Option key (Alt key on US keyboards). Wait until you see the boot disk selection screen and choose the MacOS disk.
• If having troubles with getting the selection screen to come up, try turning off the Mac mini and turning it back on and holding the Option key

Install Ubuntu

• Once in the Ubuntu installer, follow the Install Ubuntu Desktop | Ubuntu instructions.
• In the installer, choose the Manual Installation. The following are disk partition settings based on a 500 GB partition that is free:
  • 10 GB to swap, chosen to be more than 8 GB RAM on the Mac mini
  • Rest of space as ext4 mounted to /
  • The above is just a suggestion.
• Make sure to select the main disk with the name “APPLE” on it for the boot loader location.
• Continue with the installation and reboot into Ubuntu when ready.

Update Ubuntu, Activate Broadcom Wireless driver

• Assuming you have a Ethernet cable connection to the internet, update Ubuntu using the Software Updater or using the terminal.
  • If using the terminal, the follow commands will get the latest updates and install them

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade -y
# Reboot
sudo reboot

• Reboot the Mac mini and log into Ubuntu again
• Per steps explained in the footnotes, install the Broadcom Wireless Drivers from Ubuntu packages ^{3 4} :

sudo apt install bcmwl-kernel-source

• Reboot the Mac mini and log into Ubuntu again
• Configure wireless networking settings in Ubuntu’s Wi-Fi settings if needed

Wi-Fi, Thunderbolt Display, Booting back into MacOS

After the updates, the Wi-Fi should work.

An Apple Thunderbolt display initially did not work during the operating system install and first logins. Testing shows after the updates listed above, plugging in the display with no other displays allows the Thunderbolt display to work. Both display and sound on the Apple Thunderbolt monitor work. For sound, it may be required to set Ubuntu’s sound to use the Thunderbolt display audio instead of the built-in Mac mini audio.

To boot back into MacOS, reboot the Mac mini and hold the Option key (Alt key on US keyboard) until you see the disk selection screen and select MacOS.

See Also

Resources

Footnotes

1. Installing Broadcom Wireless Drivers - Ask Ubuntu ↩

2. Linux on an old Mac mini ↩

3. Installing Broadcom Wireless Drivers - Ask Ubuntu ↩

4. Linux on an old Mac mini ↩