How to Make Ubuntu Look Like Mac OS | 22.04 GNOME 43 / 42

Summary

This video is a step-by-step tutorial showing how to make Ubuntu 22.04 resemble macOS. The creator walks through adjusting the dock and appearance, updating the system, and installing essential tools (GNOME Tweaks, Extensions, Extension Manager, and Git). They clone and install the WhiteSur GTK theme, WhiteSur icons, wallpapers, macOS-style cursor, and the SF Pro Display font. The guide also covers configuring GNOME extensions—Blur My Shell for translucency and a Compiz-like “magic lamp” minimize effect—and small tweaks like left window title placement. The presenter notes some limitations on 22.04, offers optional customizations, and invites comments.

Takeaways

• 😀 Make Ubuntu 22.04 look like Mac OS by customizing the dock, appearance, and theme settings.
• 🖥️ Unlike Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 22.04 has limitations in fully replicating Mac OS due to its square overview interface.
• 🔧 Start by updating the system using 'sudo apt update' and 'sudo apt upgrade -y' to ensure everything is up-to-date.
• 📦 Install essential tools like GNOME Tweaks, GNOME Shell Extensions, and the Extension Manager for better theme customization.
• 🌐 The 'user themes' extension must be enabled through the Extension Manager to allow theme customization.
• 🔄 Install Git using 'sudo apt install git' to download repositories and themes from GitHub.
• 📥 Download and clone the 'White Sir GTK' theme repository, then run the installation script to set up the theme and accents.
• 💻 Install the White Sir icon theme by cloning the repository and running its installation script for a Mac OS-like look.
• 🌄 Set a Mac OS-style wallpaper by downloading it from the White Sir theme repository and applying it through Nautilus file manager.
• 🖱️ Change the cursor to a Mac OS Monterey style for a more complete Mac OS aesthetic using 'Mac OS Monterey.tar.gz' from GNOME Look.
• 🔤 Install and apply the SF Pro Display font to replicate the Mac OS system font, and change the interface text through GNOME Tweaks.

Q & A

Why is it more difficult to make Ubuntu 22.04 look like macOS compared to 20.04?

Ubuntu 22.04 is more difficult to customize to resemble macOS because the GNOME overview interface cannot be easily modified to match the macOS look. The square layout in the overview limits the customization options, making it harder to achieve the macOS aesthetic compared to Ubuntu 20.04.

What is the purpose of the command `sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y`?

This command updates the system by first fetching available updates (`sudo apt update`) and then applying any upgrades (`sudo apt upgrade -y`). The `-y` flag automatically confirms any prompts, ensuring the process runs without manual intervention.

What is GNOME Tweaks and why is it important in this tutorial?

GNOME Tweaks is an application that allows users to modify advanced settings within the GNOME desktop environment. It is essential in this tutorial because it enables users to change themes, adjust system fonts, and customize other aspects of the desktop that are not available in the standard settings app.

What role does the 'gnome-shell-extensions' package play in the customization process?

The 'gnome-shell-extensions' package adds support for GNOME shell extensions, which are small programs that enhance the functionality and appearance of the GNOME desktop. This package is crucial for enabling various extensions, such as user themes and other visual tweaks needed to make Ubuntu resemble macOS.

How can you make the Ubuntu dock resemble the macOS dock?

To make the Ubuntu dock resemble the macOS dock, go to the 'Settings' app, navigate to 'Appearance', and disable panel mode. Then, move the dock to the bottom of the screen. This is similar to the default macOS layout where the dock is positioned at the bottom.

What is the purpose of installing the White Sir GTK theme?

The White Sir GTK theme is used to apply a macOS-like visual style to the Ubuntu desktop. It alters the appearance of GTK-based applications, making the interface look closer to macOS by modifying elements like buttons, windows, and backgrounds.

How do you install a MacOS-style cursor in Ubuntu?

To install a MacOS-style cursor, download the MacOS Monterey cursor theme from GNOME Look, extract it into the '.icons' directory in your home folder, and then use GNOME Tweaks to select the MacOS Monterey cursor. The cursor theme includes subtle changes like a spinning wheel during loading.

Why do you need to restart GNOME Tweaks after installing a new font?

After installing a new font (such as SF Pro Display, which is used by macOS), you need to restart GNOME Tweaks to make the font appear in the list of available fonts. This ensures that the newly installed font is recognized by the system and can be applied to interface text.

What is the 'Blur My Shell' extension and how does it contribute to the macOS look?

The 'Blur My Shell' extension applies a blur effect to the background of the GNOME Shell interface, creating a similar look to macOS's blurred background. It can be adjusted for intensity and brightness, contributing to the sleek, transparent aesthetic seen in macOS.

What is the Magic Lamp effect and how does it make Ubuntu look more like macOS?

The Magic Lamp effect is a GNOME extension that mimics the MacOS-style window minimize effect. Instead of zooming in or out, it creates a smooth animation that makes the minimized window appear to shrink into the dock, providing a more fluid, macOS-like user experience.