dual booting arch linux on a macbook pro 12,1 (retina, 13", 2015)

macOS x arch linux

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# dual booting arch linux & macOS
# on a macbook pro 12,1
# ft. rEFInd
#
# this guide has been smashed together from a variety
# of other awesome guides out there for dual booting
# including but not limited to:
# mark nichols' 5 part guide: https://zanshin.net/2015/02/05/arch-linux-on-a-macbook-pro-part-1-creating-a-usb-installer/
# the arch linux docs: https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/mac#Arch_Linux_with_OS_X_or_other_operating_systems
# jonathan yantis' crazy insta-arch scripts: https://github.com/yantis/instant-archlinux-on-mac
#
# for each major step, i've denoted where you should
# be booted to in order to complete the step
#####################################################


######
step 1. (macOS) - install arch linux to bootable USB
######

# download an ISO of arch (https://www.archlinux.org/download/)
# convert the ISO to UDRW format
hdiutil convert -format UDRW -o destination_file.img source_file.iso

# if you prefer a GUI, i recommend Etcher (https://etcher.io/)

# otherwise...

# format the USB
- run `diskutil list` and find the identifier for your USB (/dev/diskX)
- erase the USB completely
   - run `diskutil partitionDisk /dev/diskX 1 "Free Space" "unused" "100%"

# copy the iso to usb:
dd if=destination_file.img of/dev/diskX bs=1m

# if you had an issue with the filetype you created (the `.img.dmg`), 
# you can remove `.dmg` from the filename.

# eject the drive
diskutil eject /dev/diskX

######
step 2. (macOS) - partition disk
######

# set aside a partition for arch linux in disk utility. 
# make sure the new partition is any filesystem type except APFS.

# you'll be erasing this anyway.

######
step 3. (macOS) - install rEFInd
######

# at this point, plugin your the USB stick with arch you created.

# get rEFInd here: https://sourceforge.net/projects/refind/files/latest/download

# unzip and install rEFInd by running ./refind-install in the directory

# verify it works by restarting. you should be immediately brought to the 
# rEFInd menu. from there, boot into your USB.

######
step 3a. OPTIONAL (macOS) - configure rEFInd

# in order to configure rEFInd, we have to edit the refind.conf

# mount the EFI partition and go to it
sudo mount -t msdos /dev/disk0s1 /Volumes
cd /Volumes/EFI/rEFInd

# download your chosen theme with git
# in this case, i chose rEFInd-minimal
git clone https://github.com/EvanPurkhiser/rEFInd-minimal

# add the theme to refind.conf
echo "include rEFInd-minimal/theme.conf" >> refind.conf

# change the icon paths in refind.conf
vi refind.conf
# locate the menuentry configs and change the path after icon
# for arch linux: /EFI/refind/themes/rEFInd-minimal/icons/os_arch.png
# for macOS:      /EFI/refind/themes/rEFInd-minimal/icons/os_mac.png

######
step 5. (arch USB) get connected
######

# we need to be connected to the internet to install arch. 
# newer macbooks ditched ethernet ports, so unless you have a dongle, 
# we need to connect to wifi.
wifi-menu

# give it about ~2 mins. check it if works
ping -c 3 google.com

######
step 6. (arch USB) create partitions
######

# we have to split our linux partition further for arch.

# look for your new partition. 
cgdisk /dev/sda

# to distinguish it from your macOS partition, it's the one that IS NOT
# called 'Untitled'. Your macOS partition is usually /dev/sda2.

# once you know you have the right partition selected, delete it. it should
# now just be free space.

# create the following partitions from the free space:
(size, name, hex)

- 128m, linux boot loader, 8300
- 8g, swap, 8200
- 256m, boot, 8300
- 40g, root, 8300
- 12g, var, 8300
- the rest, home, 8300

# once you're done, hit 'write'.

######
step 7. (arch USB) - format partitions
######

run `fdisk -l` to know each disk number (/dev/sdX).

# for boot:
mkfs.ext2 /dev/sdX

# for the rest (root, var, home):
mkfs.ex4 /dev/sdX

# for swap:
mkswap /dev/sdX
swapon /dev/sdX

######
step 8. (arch USB) - mount filesystems
######

# first, mount the root partition:
mount /dev/sdX /mnt

# mount the rest (order matters):
mkdir /mnt/boot && mount /dev/sdX /mnt/boot
mkdir /mnt/var && mount /dev/sdX /mnt/var
mkdir /mnt/home && mount /dev/sdX /mnt/home

######
step 9. (arch USB) - install arch and extra packages needed
######

# install arch & extras (vim and zsh not necessary):
pacstrap /mnt base base-devel zsh vim git efibootmgr dialog wpa_supplicant

# set fstab to record filesystem settings:
genfstab -p /mnt >> /mnt/etc/dstab

#######
step 10. (arch USB) - set initial arch configs
#######

# chroot into the new system:
arch-chroot /mnt /bin/bash

# set hostname
echo MYHOSTNAME > /etc/hostname

# set timezone
ln -sf /usr/share/zoneinfo/REGION/CITY /etc/localtime

# set hardware clock
hwclock --systohc --utc

# update locale
echo LANG=en_US.UTF-8 >> /etc/locale.conf
echo LANGUAGE=en_US >> /etc/locale.conf
echo LC_ALL=C >> /etc/locale.conf

# set root password
passwd

# add yourself as a user
# if you don't want zsh, remove the -s flag
# and change /bin/zsh to /bin/bash
useradd -m -g users -G wheel -s /bin/zsh MYUSERNAME
passwd MYUSERNAME

# allow users to execute commands as sudo
visudo
# uncomment the `wheel` line

# add the locale
# en_US.UTF-8 is uncommented by default
# if you need another locale, you can uncomment the
# one you want- `sudo vi /etc/locale.gen`
# otherwise, you can just generate the locale
locale-gen

# export locale settings
echo LANG=en_US.UTF8 > /etc/locale.conf
export LANG=en_US.UTF-8

# generate initrd
mkinitcpio -p linux

#######
step 11. (arch USB) - finishing off
#######

# exit the new system
exit

# unmount all partitions
umount -R /mnt
swapoff -a

# reboot into the new system
reboot

# after reboot, you should be brought to the rEFInd menu

#######
step 12. (arch) - last configurations
#######

# login as root

# edit modules
vi /etc/mkinitcpio.conf

# add ata_piix to the MODULES line

# save and reboot

###########################
completing the installation
###########################

After reboot, you should be brought to rEFInd. On selecting
the Linux penguin, you should be brought to GRUB. Select
the first option, and Arch Linux should start up properly.

#####################
further configuration
#####################

this next section installs KDE Plasma and i3-gaps 
window manager.

# install plasma
sudo pacman -S plasma
# hit enter to install all default packages

# install SDDM, plasma recommended desktop manager
sudo pacman -S sddm

# add sddm to system startup
sudo systemctl enable sddm

# install i3 package group
sudo pacman -S i3-gaps

hi! passing by here - haven't tried the installation yet, but was wondering if the trackpad, keyboard, and communication devices (bluetooth / wifi) work on such installations?