How to Customize Ubuntu 23.04 to Look Like macOS

If you're an Ubuntu fan fascinated by the layout of macOS, you can customize the look and feel of your Ubuntu 23.04 desktop. With these basic but effective methods, you can make Ubuntu look like macOS.

So let's start customizing your Ubuntu 23.04 desktop so it looks like macOS.

Step 1: Get Started with the GNOME Tweaks Tool

The GNOME Tweaks tool is an integral part of the entire changeover process, allowing you to easily customize your themes and icons once installed.

To install GNOME Tweaks, start your Ubuntu terminal with the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Alt + T .

Enter the following command to install tweaks:

sudo apt install gnome-tweaks -y

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Step 2: Use GNOME Shell Extensions

Once you've installed the GNOME Tweaks tool, it's time to install the GNOME Shell Extensions so you can literally manipulate and make changes to the look and feel of your desktop. The Extensions application allows you to install and activate user-defined themes on your machine.

In the terminal, enter the following command:

sudo apt install gnome-shell-extensions -y

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After installation, reboot the system for the changes to take effect. As soon as the system boots, type Extensions in the search bar. In the dialog, scroll down and enable the button next to User Themes.

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With this option enabled, you can install new themes onto your Ubuntu 23.04 machine.

Step 3: Download and install macOS themes

So far, you have installed all the prerequisites to activate the theme on your Ubuntu machine. With the basics done, it's time to move on to the fun part, i.e. downloading your favorite macOS themes.

Visit gnome-look.org to search and download your favorite themes. To make your choice easier, here are some of the top options available for download:

1. OS Catalina
2. McMojave
3. WhiteSur Gtk Theme
4. McOS-Transparent

After choosing a theme, download the TAR.XZ file of that theme to your computer. The article will download the McMojave theme as a demo. McMojave is one of the most downloaded Ubuntu themes out there.

To install the Ubuntu theme, select the theme from the results and click the Install button.

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Go to the Downloads folder and double-click the Mojave-CT-Classic.tar.xz file to access its contents.

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Extract the content of the theme to the .themes folder in your home directory. If there is a .themes folder available, you can drag and drop the newly extracted Mojave-CT-Classic theme folder into it. If you don't have a folder yet, create it and then copy the theme folder into it.

Step 4: Download and install macOS icons

Next, it's time to download the right icons to go with your Ubuntu macOS theme. Depending on the theme, Ubuntu 23.04 users can choose different theme icons for the desktop.

Since you have already downloaded the Mojave theme, you need to download the Mojave CT icons from the Store. The download process is the same as before. Extract the contents of the zipped folder to your home directory. This time, instead of copying the extracted folder to the .themes folder, you have to move it to the .icons folder.

Like before, if the .icons folder doesn't exist, create it.

Step 5: Use the GNOME Tweaks tool to make visual changes

With the theme and icon pack ready, open the GNOME Tweaks tool to set up the new theme and related settings.

Switch to the Appearance tab and in the Icons drop-down menu , select Mojave-CT-Classic. Select Mojave-Dark (or any other theme you downloaded) in the Shell drop-down menu.

Similarly, change the option to Mojave-Dark for Legacy Applications.

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Let's add a few final options to your desktop.

Step 6: Add Dash to Dock via extension

One of the best features of macOS is its dock, which stores all the apps in one place. You can add a similar tray to your Ubuntu desktop for a macOS-like look and feel.

You have to go to extension.gnome.org and click on the Install browser extension option . After installing the extension, search for the Dash to Dock option in the search bar. GNOME Extension Manager is a useful tool to manage all your downloaded extensions from one place.

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Before continuing, you must restart your machine. After the system reboots, go to the Extensions toolbox . At the top, you'll find a new addition to Dash to Dock under the heading Manually Installed.

Toggle the side button to enable the extension. All your applications will be available in a dock on the desktop.

You can play around with the settings by clicking the Settings button . If you want to remove the dock tray extension, click the Remove button .

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Step 7: Finish with a suitable wallpaper

Now that your desktop looks like a neat copy of macOS, why not complete it with a fancy wallpaper? Open Settings, then the Appearance tab . Under the Background heading , click Add Picture . You can choose an image from the list of wallpapers or upload another image of your choice.

Your Ubuntu 23.04 Lunar Lobster installation should now resemble the macOS look and feel. You can customize your screen in a few simple steps to look like your favorite operating system.

Jessica Tanner

Update 12 May 2023