0

I am still trying to install Ubuntu 20.04 on my late-2011 17" macbook pro. I need to install Ubuntu alongside my macOS High Sierra install that currently is the only other (meaningful) occupant of the 2TB SSD.

The issue (for me) is that the Ubuntu 20.04 installer incorrectly concludes:

This computer currently has no detected operating systems.

I currently have rEFInd installed on this machine - which I did in anticipation of the Ubuntu install.

Why does the Ubuntu 20.04 installer fail to recognize the huge 750GB APFS partition as an installed OS? Is there anything I can reasonably do to "help" the installer see this, and install Ubuntu in the proper location?

Seamus
  • 698

2 Answers2

2

Take a look at my answer here. I don't have the same machine as you so I can't try this out myself, but here are my suspicions:

  • As already mentioned in the comments, the Ubuntu installer cannot detect macOS because of the APFS formatting. This is not a problem though, because you can select "Something Different" as the install location and choose a previously created partition (see my linked answer).
  • From what I understand about the differences between our hardware (with / without T2-chip), you can follow my answer and just skip step "Boot and Install Ubuntu"#1.

You may have already made some changes to your system that you want to revert before following my instructions. To remove rEFInd, follow this answer. To remove entries in the EFI partition that the Ubuntu installer may have created, enter the following instructions in your Mac terminal (one after another):

sudo diskutil mount disk0s1
cd /Volumes/EFI/EFI
rm -r boot ubuntu
cd ~
diskutil unmount disk0s1

If there is no entry, you'll receive an error message at the rm-part (which is fine).

japhwil
  • 236
0
  1. Disable Full disk encryption.
  2. Install rEFInd and power off your computer. Turn it back on. DO NOT RESTART.
  3. Make some free space by shrinking the partition with macOS. Do not turn this into a partition. Just leave it unallocated.
  4. Select install alongside MacOS option. If this does not appear, check whether you are installing Ubuntu in the same firmware mode as MacOS. (Either UEFI or Legacy BIOS). You will not see this option if you have MacOS in UEFI and try to install Ubuntu in Legacy and vice versa. DO not proceed if this option doesn't appear.
  5. Alternatively, you can try the Something else option and partition manually. Even if you do this make sure that install alongside Ubuntu option is available.

Read how to install and dual boot Linux on a mac and How to Dual Boot Linux on Your Mac and Take Back Your Powerhouse Apple Hardware

VidathD
  • 2,829