you've got this
You're about to take your computer back. Not everyone knows this is possible, but you found your way here, and we're going to make it easy.
where are you starting from?
Every path leads somewhere good. Choose the one that matches your computer, and we'll give you exactly what you need.
You'll download an ISO file, about 2–3 GB. That's the whole operating system, ready to go. We recommend Linux Mint (more on that below).
Use Balena Etcher (Mac/Windows/Linux) or Rufus (Windows). Drag, drop, click. Your USB becomes a portable Linux machine.
Restart your PC and tap the boot menu key, usually F12, F2, or Del (it depends on your machine). Select the USB drive from the list.
Linux runs straight from the USB. Browse the web, open files, poke around. Nothing on your hard drive is touched. Nothing changes unless you want it to.
When it clicks, double-click the installer on the desktop. One walkthrough, a few choices, and your computer is yours again.
About Secure Boot: Most modern Linux distributions handle Secure Boot just fine. If your USB doesn't appear in the boot menu, you may need to adjust one setting in your BIOS. Look for "Secure Boot" under Security or Boot settings and set it to "Disabled." That's the only tweak most people ever need.
// our recommendation
Linux Mint is the gentlest landing in all of Linux. It looks familiar. It works the way you expect. The community is the warmest you'll find anywhere in open source. Millions of people started exactly where you are, and this is where most of them started.
Download Linux Mint →Free. No account. No credit card. No catch. Just a better computer.
You'll also need Balena Etcher to create your USB stick. It's free too.
// other paths
Every one of these is free, safe, and well-supported. You can't make a wrong choice here.
Polished, supported, and backed by a huge community. The most widely used Linux desktop in the world, with years of documentation and help forums behind it.
Download Ubuntu →Tuned for gamers, developers, and creative workflows. Built by System76, a company that makes its own Linux laptops. Clean, fast, and thoughtfully designed.
Download Pop!_OS →Cutting-edge and clean for those who like the latest. Backed by Red Hat, Fedora ships the newest stable software before anyone else. A favorite among developers.
Download Fedora →intel mac
Linux runs beautifully on most Intel Macs. There are a couple of things to know up front, and we'll walk you through every one of them.
Grab the ISO file for your distribution of choice, about 2–3 GB. We recommend Linux Mint or Ubuntu for Intel Macs (both handle Mac hardware well).
Use Balena Etcher. It runs on macOS, it's free, and it makes this step effortless. Drag, drop, click.
Restart your Mac and immediately hold the Option key. You'll see a boot picker. Select the USB drive (it may be labeled "EFI Boot").
Linux boots from the USB without touching your hard drive. Poke around, test WiFi, try the trackpad. You're test-driving with zero commitment.
Happy with what you see? The installer is right on the desktop. One walkthrough and your Mac becomes a Linux machine.
WiFi and trackpad: Most things work great out of the box. On some models, WiFi or trackpad gestures may need a driver tweak. The Linux community has documented fixes for nearly every model. If something doesn't work on first boot, it's almost always solvable.
Macs with a T2 chip (2018 and later): If your Mac was made in 2018 or later, it likely has a T2 security chip. You'll need to allow external boot media before the USB will show up. Go to Apple menu, then System Preferences, then Startup Security Utility, and set "Allowed Boot Media" to allow booting from external media. It's one extra step, and then you're good.
// our recommendation
Both have solid Intel Mac support, active communities who've documented the quirks for every model year, and a desktop that will feel right at home. Mint is cozier, Ubuntu is more polished. You'll be happy either way.
Free. No account. No credit card. No catch.
You'll also need Balena Etcher to create your USB stick. It's free too.
// other paths
These all work on Intel Macs too. Free, safe, and well-supported.
Tuned for gamers, developers, and creative workflows. Built by System76, a company that makes its own Linux laptops. Clean, fast, and thoughtfully designed.
Download Pop!_OS →Cutting-edge and clean for those who like the latest. Backed by Red Hat, Fedora ships the newest stable software before anyone else. A favorite among developers.
Download Fedora →Designed to feel like a Mac. If you love the macOS aesthetic but want the freedom of Linux, elementary picks up where Apple left off. Beautiful and intuitive.
Download elementary →apple silicon
Native Linux on Apple Silicon is still being built. The Asahi Linux project is making incredible progress, but it's not yet the smooth experience we'd want to recommend for your first time. That said, you have real options right now.
UTM is a free, open-source app that runs natively on Apple Silicon. It lets you run a full Linux desktop inside a window on your Mac. No risk, no repartitioning, no dual-boot complexity. Just download UTM, grab a Linux image, and you're in. It's a real Linux desktop, and it runs beautifully.
Asahi Linux is the community project building native Linux support for Apple Silicon from the ground up. They've already achieved remarkable things. When it's ready for a smooth first-time experience, we'll update this page. In the meantime, following their progress is a great way to stay connected.
About the virtual machine option: Running Linux in UTM isn't a consolation prize. You get a full desktop, a real terminal, package management, the works. It's how many developers and curious people run Linux on Apple Silicon today. It's a genuine way to learn, explore, and decide if Linux is for you.
// get started today
Download UTM, then grab the Linux Mint ARM64 image. UTM walks you through setup. Within minutes, you'll have a full Linux Mint desktop running on your Mac, snappy and smooth. No risk, no commitment, just Linux.
Both free. Both open source. Both wonderful.
Keep an eye on Asahi Linux. The team behind Asahi is reverse-engineering Apple Silicon hardware to build native Linux support. They've already shipped GPU acceleration, audio, and more. It's one of the most ambitious open-source projects running right now. When native support is ready for everyone, we'll be the first to tell you.
Visit Asahi Linux →Millions of people use Linux every day, on laptops, desktops, servers, phones, and even the International Space Station. You're joining a community that's been helping each other for over 30 years. Welcome.
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