How to Open a DMG in Ubuntu and Convert to ISO

If you’ve ever downloaded a DMG file—usually from a Mac—and needed to access its contents on Ubuntu, you might’ve run into a wall. Ubuntu doesn’t support DMG files natively, but don’t worry: opening them and even converting them to ISO is straightforward if you know the steps. Here’s how to do it.

What’s a DMG File?

A DMG file is a disk image commonly used on macOS for distributing software. While Windows and Linux generally use ISO files for the same purpose, DMG files aren’t directly compatible with Ubuntu.

Step 1: Install the Required Tools

First, you’ll need two tools:

• dmg2img – converts DMG to IMG (which is basically an ISO).
• mount – for mounting the IMG/ISO files.

Install them using the terminal:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install dmg2img

Step 2: Convert DMG to ISO

The simplest way is to convert DMG to IMG, then rename it as ISO (the formats are almost identical). Here’s how:

1. Convert DMG to IMG:
   dmg2img input_file.dmg output_file.img
2. Rename IMG to ISO:
   mv output_file.img output_file.iso

That’s it—the file is now in ISO format and ready for use.

Step 3: Mount the ISO (Optional)

If you just want to access the files inside, you can mount the ISO directly:

1. Create a mount point:
   mkdir ~/iso_mount
2. Mount the ISO:
   sudo mount -o loop output_file.iso ~/iso_mount
3. Access your files:
   Browse to ~/iso_mount in your file manager or via the terminal.
4. When finished, unmount:
   sudo umount ~/iso_mount

Troubleshooting Tips

• Corrupt DMG files may not convert cleanly. Make sure your DMG isn’t damaged.
• Encrypted DMGs won’t work with this method.
• If you get a “Permission denied” error when mounting, try with sudo.

Wrapping Up

Converting a DMG to an ISO in Ubuntu isn’t difficult, and with a couple of quick commands, you can open, convert, and use Mac disk images like a pro. No special tricks, no proprietary software—just simple, open-source tools.

Got stuck or have a tip? Drop it in the comments below!

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Mark Vincent

Tech enthusiast and content creator passionate about making technology simple for everyone. I share practical tips, guides, and reviews on the latest in computers, software, and gadgets. Let’s explore the digital world together!