hdiutil attach /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Sierra\ Public\ Beta.app/Contents/SharedSupport/InstallESD.dmg -noverify -nobrowse -mountpoint /Volumes/install_app
hdiutil create -o /tmp/Sierra.cdr -size 7316m -layout SPUD -fs HFS+J
hdiutil attach /tmp/Sierra.cdr.dmg -noverify -nobrowse -mountpoint /Volumes/install_build
asr restore -source /Volumes/install_app/BaseSystem.dmg -target /Volumes/install_build -noprompt -noverify -erase
rm /Volumes/OS\ X\ Base\ System/System/Installation/Packages
cp -rp /Volumes/install_app/Packages /Volumes/OS\ X\ Base\ System/System/Installation/
cp -rp /Volumes/install_app/BaseSystem.chunklist /Volumes/OS\ X\ Base\ System/BaseSystem.chunklist
cp -rp /Volumes/install_app/BaseSystem.dmg /Volumes/OS\ X\ Base\ System/BaseSystem.dmg
hdiutil detach /Volumes/install_app
hdiutil detach /Volumes/OS\ X\ Base\ System/
hdiutil convert /tmp/Sierra.cdr.dmg -format UDTO -o /tmp/Sierra.iso
mv /tmp/Sierra.iso.cdr ~/Desktop/Sierra.iso
- Create a new El Capitan (there is no option for Sierra at the moment) machine. Leave everything at default
- Boot the virtual machine from the Sierra.iso you created, which you'll find on your desktop. I had to mash F12 while the machine was starting up and then choose 'EFI CD/DVD' in the boot manager. YMMV.
- The install process should be familiar to you. If not, you probably shouldn't be playing with a beta OS ;)
- Grab a coffee, the 15 minute estimation the installer gives you is a complete work of fiction. My install took over an hour.
- Once installed, reboot and complete the new user process. Skip the AppleID login bit, it'll fail on a VirtualBox.
- Shut down the virtual machine and quit VirtualBox.
The following worked for me:
Create the ISO for VirtualBox as described here (luckily I already downloaded Sierra in January, so I have version 10.12.2 and don't run into problems as mentioned by McManoli).
Then perform step 3 and 4 from this guide:
http://www.wikigain.com/install-macos-sierra-10-12-virtualbox/ (don't use the downloads provided there).
Except that in step 3, you create a blank image i.s.o. using an existing one. And in step 4, add the ISO created above as optical medium and change the MAC address of the network adapter to a random one of the addresses found here: http://hwaddress.com/company/apple-inc .
The following lines are based on step 5 of above mentioned guide:
Substitute "macOS Sierra" by your VM name. "BOARD-PRODUCT" and "SERIAL" have to be substituted by values obtained by Chameleon Wizard. You could use a different "System Product" than "iMac11,3". See http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/292170-how-to-spoof-real-mac-in-vmware/ on how to obtain the correct information from Chameleon Wizard (ignore the rest of the guide as it is not for VirtualBox).
(See https://forums.virtualbox.org/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=61825&hilit=DmiSystemSerial under "modifications" on how to change the resolution.)
Enter your version of the above lines in Terminal one by one.
Start the VM and install Sierra.
I have added 3D-acceleration afterwards.
You can even log in with your Apple ID and also authorize iTunes. My host system is too old to backup or update my iPhone, so I do that using this Sierra VM.
If you have already installed Sierra as a VirtualBox VM, add the lines above (make sure you don't create duplicates) and enter into Terminal:
sudo rm /Library/Preferences/com.apple.apsd.plist
sudo launchctl load -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.apsd.plist
(Taken from https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/208292/cant-login-in-mac-app-store-or-icloud-login-loading-forever )
Restart the VM and you should be able to use your AppleID.
NOTES:
• During startup Sierra reports no valid driver for the USB 3 interface. I had trouble updating my iPhone when using USB 3. So I set it back to USB 2.
This one is a bit specific:
• When updating iOS you sometimes have to reconnect the iPhone manually via the menu a few times. If you have iTunes installed on the host as well, make sure to delete the iTunesHelper.app from the login items of the host first or you go crazy.