Virtualisation Tutorial: How to install macOS on macOS in a virtual machine
macOS on macOS? What's that supposed to be good for? Virtual machines are good for testing and trying something out. If, for example, you try a lot of software, you can do it in the VM without your messing up your main system. Or you can run another macOS version that is actually installed on the Mac. Either an older version for older applications or for example 10.14 Mojave on a Mac that is only supported until 10.13.
macOS virtualisation with Parallels
First of all we download the macOS we want to use from the App Store. Older versions are only available if you installed them back then. They will then appear in "Purchases". The newest versions are only available on Macs that support them. So you may have to download the installer on a new Mac and then just copy it.
The first thing we need is Parallels. We get the Parallels Lite version from the App Store and open it. We then have to options. We do choose the "Linux" option.
When the wizard shows we pick the right option "Install from Image"
Pick the macOS installer that you downloaded earlier.
You can give it a name now and choose a place to save it.
Then you will see the Apple logo.
The familiar macOS install starts
It all looks now like a normal installation made directly on the Mac hardware.
Pick the right harddrive
And the be patient. It can happen that the screen goes grey for quite some time. Just relax and let your Mac do the work. After 15 minutes or so you will see this
Make your configurations and you will end up with a full virtual installation of macOS
Now install Parallels Tools from the Actions > Parallels Tools menu bar. Among other things, these allow you to dynamically adjust the resolution.