Install Ubuntu on MacBook Pro 2017

Install Ubuntu on MacBook Pro 2017 | Generated by AI

Home 2026.07

Question: How to install Ubuntu 24.04 / 26.04 on a MacBook Pro 2017?

Answer:

MacBook Pro 2017 is an Intel Mac, so Ubuntu works. The easiest path is clean install Ubuntu only (remove macOS) or dual boot. Ubuntu 24.04 LTS is the safer choice; Ubuntu 26.04 is newer and may need more fixes. Ubuntu’s installer supports booting from USB on Intel Macs by holding Option (⌥) during startup and selecting EFI Boot. (Ubuntu Documentation)

1. Download Ubuntu ISO

Recommended:

Ubuntu 24.04 LTS:
- ubuntu-24.04.x-desktop-amd64.iso

Ubuntu 26.04 (if released for your target date):

ubuntu-26.04-desktop-amd64.iso

Your MacBook Pro 2017 needs amd64/x86_64, not ARM.

2. Create bootable USB

From Ubuntu/Linux:

lsblk

# example USB = /dev/sdb
sudo dd if=ubuntu-24.04.x-desktop-amd64.iso \
  of=/dev/sdX \
  bs=4M \
  status=progress \
  oflag=sync

Or use Ventoy:

sudo ./Ventoy2Disk.sh -i /dev/sdX

Copy ISO to Ventoy USB.

3. Allow external boot (if blocked)

Restart Mac:

Command (⌘) + R

Enter Recovery.

Open:

Utilities
 → Startup Security Utility
 → Allow booting from external media

Some MacBook models with Apple security chips require this step. (YouTube)

4. Boot Ubuntu USB

Insert USB.

Power on and hold:

Option (⌥)

You should see:

EFI Boot

Select it.

(Ubuntu)

5. Install Ubuntu

Choose:

Install Ubuntu

For full replacement:

Erase disk and install Ubuntu

For dual boot:

Open macOS Disk Utility first
Shrink APFS partition
Leave free space
Ubuntu installer:
```
Something else
```
Create:

/boot/efi   512MB   FAT32

/           ext4    remaining

Ubuntu recommends “Erase disk and install Ubuntu” for a simple single-OS installation. (Ubuntu Documentation)

6. After installation: MacBook Pro 2017 fixes

The 2017 MacBook Pro has some Apple-specific hardware:

WiFi

Check:

lspci | grep -i network

Install Broadcom firmware:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install bcmwl-kernel-source

Touch Bar

Check:

lsusb | grep Apple

Some users need additional kernel/support packages. Ubuntu 26.04 reports improved support on some 2017 models, but WiFi/audio/Touch Bar may still need manual fixes. (Reddit)

Audio

Check:

sudo dmesg | grep -i audio

Trackpad

Usually works automatically with:

libinput

Test:

sudo libinput list-devices

My recommendation for a 2017 MBP

Use:

Ubuntu 24.04 LTS
+
latest HWE kernel

because:

stable
long support
better community fixes
easier driver debugging

Then upgrade to 26.04 later.

References:

Ubuntu Desktop installation guide (Ubuntu Documentation)
Ubuntu on MacBook Pro 2017-2019 wiki (Ubuntu Wiki)
Ubuntu try/install USB boot guide (Ubuntu)

Back Donate