Installation Problem with older MacBook Air

Support & Help Requests Hardware
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I’m having trouble installing Ubuntu MATE 24.04 on my 2014 MacBook Air. I created a bootable USB using Etcher, which worked fine on my Dell, but during installation on the Mac, the internal hard drive isn’t detected. The drive is physically fine as I’ve checked it.

After researching, it seems this could be due to Apple’s system configuration. However, I know others have successfully installed Linux, including MATE, on older MacBooks. Has anyone encountered this issue and found a solution? Any guidance would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.

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If I were in your shoes I would try 22.04 and see if that can be installed. You could then upgrade from that.

I've had trouble with 24.04 with some installations. I can't say this will work, but it's something to try.

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Thank you for your reply. It is much appreciated. I did try using 22.04 and an even earlier version and got the same result - Mac's SSD not detected. It is a weird thing that seems to plague some Macbook owners. I'd like to try and resuurect the old machine with Ubuntu, but it seems to evade me. Again, thanks for your help.

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Maybe this one is a bit old on the forums but so is your laptop so it may as well be of some help to you

Also:

This sounds exactly like your problem so check it out if you have not already

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Thanks! Those links look helpful. I’m new to Linux and the terminal, so I’ll need some time to test them out. I’m going to map out the steps first to avoid mistakes. Thanks again for finding these! Have a good weekend.

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I have Macbook Air 6'2 (late 2013).

I successfully installed 22.04 on it early last year using Etcher and had no problems.Actually upgraded to 24.04 two days ago and again no issues.

I know this doesn't help other than the fact that it shows it can be done.

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Thank you for the confirmation. It’s helpful to know it can work. I’m aware that some Mac users have encountered the same installation problem I’m facing, and I’m continuing to investigate potential solutions. I appreciate your input!

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8

Could you start with Ubuntu Mate 24.04 live, then show us the return of:
sudo inxi -xFz

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I’m sorry, but I’m not following what you are asking.

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Why? Do you prefer without sudo?
inxi -xFz
We need data to help you

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Well I believe @Philippe is asking you to prepare a USB with bootable Ubuntu MATE 24.04 and then when you boot with the live so no install but boot then you put the said code inside the terminal and copy the info that it lists you or take a picture whatever

Point is that will tell us better with what you're dealing with if you understand now

Here is a link on "how-to":

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