Are you bored with your Ubuntu environment or want to try something new like Mac UI? Many users want to try Mac UI because of its unique design and elegant look. There is always confusion in mind regarding changing the UI of the Ubuntu system. But the answer is yes; you can try to have a converting UI on your Ubuntu system using Ubuntu Mac Theme. There are lots of Ubuntu Mac Theme available in the market, which completely changes the look and feels of the system. That is the motto of Linux that you can do whatever you want to do.
Steps to Make Ubuntu Look Like Mac OS X
To make ubuntu look like Mac, there are hundreds of themes, wallpaper, font, and even cursors. If you have the Ubuntu system installed on your machine, then you can look for several open source packets like Macbuntu Transformation Pack, macOS Sierra, and so on. So if you like to try it out, then follow these steps with us.
1. Choose the Right Desktop Flavour
There are several variants for the desktop environment like GNOME-shell, Unity, Cinnamon, KDE Plasma. But to make Ubuntu look like Mac, we should install either GNOME-shell or Unity.
GNOME-shell is the best desktop environment for Ubuntu Mac theme support. Compared with other GNOME-shell, we suggest GNOME-shell is the better option because it provides a better visual implementation of Mac Ubuntu. GNOME-shell also supports customization from theme to font. Though the latest Ubuntu comes with Gnome shell, if you have an earlier Unity version, then run the following command code in Terminal to install GNOME-shell:
sudo apt-get install gnome-shell
select ‘lightdm’ as the display manager when asked.
Now you have to install GNOME Tweak Tool additionally. Run the following command to install it:
sudo apt-get updatesudo apt-get install gnome-tweak-tool
After completing the installation, log out of the device and then login as a GNOME-shell session. There is one part you will be missing in GNOME-shell is global menus, and that is why our second option is Unity
Unity is the second-best choice for the Ubuntu Mac theme. It supports customization with a comprehensive menu facility.
Like GNOME-shell, you have to install it again. Unity tweak tool, which helps to customize theme and icons. Run the following code:
sudo apt-get install unity-tweak-tool
2. Install a Mac GTK Theme (Gnome Desktop Only)
If you are a GNOME lover, we have found different ubuntu Macthemes available online, but we suggest installing the Mac GTK theme (especially the GNOME OS X II GTK theme). This version is the best clone as an ubuntu Mac theme. Download the theme from the below link.
Download GNOME OS X II GTK Theme
Screenshot
After downloading the file, it’s time to use the theme. To do so, follow my earlier tutorial on How to use Ubuntu Themes and Icons on various Linux desktop.
3. Install MacOS theme (Ubuntu Unity Desktop Only)
But if you prefer to stay with a unity desktop environment, then write the following command in the terminal.
For Ubuntu 16.04
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:noobslab/macbuntusudo apt-get updatesudo apt-get install macbuntu-os-icons-lts-v7sudo apt-get install macbuntu-os-ithemes-lts-v7
For Ubuntu 17.04 or above
You can also install the latest MacBuntu OS Y Theme, Icons, and cursors:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:noobslab/macbuntusudo apt-get updatesudo apt-get install macbuntu-os-icons-v9sudo apt-get install macbuntu-os-ithemes-v9
How to Remove MacBuntu OS Y Theme, Icons, and cursors
sudo apt-get remove macbuntu-os-icons-v9 macbuntu-os-ithemes-v9
When the installation is completed, open the Unity tweak tool and make necessary changes to have an Ubuntu Mac Theme on your system.
4. Install Mac-like Desktop Dock
The best feature of Apple’s UI is its unique desktop dock. This dock is used as a combined application launcher and window switcher. There are several alternatives to Mac’s desktop dock. We chose a lightweight app, Plank. To install the plank and macbuntu plank theme, run the following command:
sudo apt-get install planksudo add-apt-repository ppa:noobslab/macbuntusudo apt-get updatesudo apt-get install macbuntu-os-plank-theme-lts-v7
How to Remove Plank
sudo apt-get autoremove plank macbuntu-os-plank-theme-v9
If you remain stick with the Gnome desktop, I suggest using La Capitaine‘ icon pack is widely used as the best icon pack for making Macbuntu.
LibreOffice comes preinstalled in the Ubuntu system. The default icons are pretty much dull and do not match when making the system look like Mac. You can change this by installing Monochrome icons. Run the below code in Terminal.
sudo apt-get install libreoffice-style-sifr
You are not finished here. After installation, go to “Tools” > “Options” > “LibreOffice” > “View” and select “Sifr” under “Icon size and style” from the LibreOffice menu.
Final Thought
As of now, this Ubuntu Mac theme does not work on the latest Ubuntu 17.10. So don’t try this one. All the above steps are tricky, so install it when you know how to revert if anything terrible happens. Although more themes and wallpapers are available to make Ubuntu look like macOS, it is always fun to try something new and different. Let us know how you made your Ubuntu system look like macOS or which Ubuntu Mac Theme did you used in the comment section.
Note: Images and information are collected from the official repository.