
Boosting Your Linux VM: How to Install VirtualBox Guest Additions
Running a Linux operating system inside a VirtualBox virtual machine (VM) is a great way to explore different distributions, test software, or isolate environments. However, right out of the box, you might notice some limitations: the mouse can feel “stuck,” the display resolution is fixed, and getting files in and out is a hassle.
Enter VirtualBox Guest Additions. These are special software packages designed to be installed inside the guest operating system. Think of them as drivers and system applications that integrate the guest OS much more tightly with the VirtualBox hypervisor and your host computer. Installing them is crucial for a smooth, efficient, and enjoyable virtual machine experience.
This article will walk you through the process of installing VirtualBox Guest Additions in a typical Linux guest environment.
Why Install VirtualBox Guest Additions?
Installing Guest Additions unlocks a host of features that significantly improve usability and performance. Here are some key benefits:
- Improved Mouse Integration: Your mouse cursor moves seamlessly between the host and guest screens without needing to press the Host key (usually Right Ctrl).
- Better Video Support: Enables higher screen resolutions, automatic resizing of the guest display when you resize the VM window, and sometimes basic 3D acceleration.
- Shared Clipboard: Allows you to copy and paste text and sometimes files between the host and guest operating systems.
- Drag and Drop: Enables dragging and dropping files and folders directly between the host and guest (though support can vary).
- Shared Folders: Provides an easy way to share files and directories between your host machine and the guest VM.
- Improved Time Synchronization: Keeps the guest clock accurately synchronized with the host clock.
- More Stable Networking: Can provide more robust and efficient network interfaces.
To illustrate the difference, consider this comparison:
Feature | Without Guest Additions | With Guest Additions |
---|---|---|
Screen Resolution | Limited, often low, fixed | Higher resolutions, automatic resizing |
Mouse Pointer | Needs Host key (Right Ctrl) to release | Seamless movement between host and guest |
Shared Clipboard | No | Yes (Text and sometimes files) |
Drag and Drop | No | Yes (Files and folders, varies by OS) |
Shared Folders | Difficult setup, less integrated | Easy setup via VirtualBox settings |
Performance | Basic, potentially sluggish graphics | Improved graphics and overall responsiveness |
Prerequisites for Linux Guests
Before you insert and run the Guest Additions installer, you need to ensure your Linux guest is ready. The installer often needs to compile modules specifically for your kernel, so you’ll need development tools and kernel headers installed.
Here’s what you generally need to do in your Linux guest’s terminal before starting the Guest Additions installation:
- Update your package lists:
sudo apt update # For Debian/Ubuntu based systems
# or
sudo dnf check-update # For Fedora/RHEL based systems
# or
sudo pacman -Sy # For Arch Linux based systems
Upgrade existing packages (recommended)
sudo apt upgrade # For Debian/Ubuntu based systems
# or
sudo dnf upgrade # For Fedora/RHEL based systems
# or
sudo pacman -Su # For Arch Linux based systems
Install necessary build tools and kernel headers: The exact package names vary slightly by distribution, but you’ll typically need compiler tools (like gcc
, make
) and the headers for your current running kernel version. dkms
is also highly recommended as it helps Guest Additions persist across kernel updates.
For Debian/Ubuntu-based systems (like Mint, Pop!_OS):
sudo apt install build-essential linux-headers-$(uname -r) dkms
For Fedora/RHEL/CentOS Stream-based systems:
sudo dnf install gcc make perl kernel-devel-$(uname -r) dkms
For Arch Linux based systems (manjaro, etc.):
sudo pacman -Syu base-devel linux-headers dkms # 'base-devel' includes gcc, make, etc.
(Important): If installing kernel headers required updating your kernel, it’s best to reboot your VM now before proceeding with the Guest Additions installation.
Step-by-Step Installation Process
Once your Linux guest is prepared with the necessary prerequisites, you can proceed with inserting and running the Guest Additions installer. Follow these steps:
- Start your Linux Virtual Machine in VirtualBox.
- Ensure your guest system is fully booted and you are logged in (either via the GUI or terminal).
- From the VirtualBox VM window menu, navigate to
Devices
->Insert Guest Additions CD Image...
.- What this does: VirtualBox will virtually insert an ISO image file containing the Guest Additions installer into your VM’s virtual CD/DVD drive.
- Open a Terminal within your Linux guest operating system.
- Navigate to the mounted CD-ROM directory. The location where the CD image is mounted can vary depending on your distribution and desktop environment, but common locations include:
/media/cdrom
/media/YOUR_USERNAME/VBox_GAs_X_Y_Z
(where X_Y_Z is the VirtualBox version)/run/media/YOUR_USERNAME/VBox_GAs_X_Y_Z
- You can often find the mount point by looking at your file manager or using the
lsblk
ormount
commands. - Once you’ve identified the directory, change into it using the
cd
command. For example:
cd /media/cdrom
# or
cd /run/media/your_username/VBox_GAs_7.0.0 # Adjust path and version
Run the installation script. The main installer script is usually named VBoxLinuxAdditions.run
. You’ll need superuser privileges (sudo
) to run it.
sudo ./VBoxLinuxAdditions.run
-
- Note: If the script is not executable, you might need to give it execute permissions first:
chmod +x ./VBoxLinuxAdditions.run
.
- Note: If the script is not executable, you might need to give it execute permissions first:
- Observe the installation process. The script will compile and install the necessary modules and services. This may take a few minutes. It will display output in the terminal, indicating its progress and any potential issues.
- Reboot your Virtual Machine. Once the script completes successfully, you must reboot the guest operating system for the changes to take effect.
sudo reboot
Verifying the Installation
After your VM reboots, you should immediately notice the benefits of Guest Additions:
- The mouse pointer should move freely in and out of the VM window.
- If you resize the VirtualBox window, the guest’s display resolution should adjust automatically to fill the new window size.
- Try copying text from your host and pasting it into the guest, and vice-versa (via the VirtualBox menu
Devices
->Shared Clipboard
). - You can now set up Shared Folders via the VirtualBox machine settings (
Settings
->Shared Folders
).
If these features are working, your VirtualBox Guest Additions installation was successful!
Common Issues and Troubleshooting
- Installer fails with errors: Check the output of the
./VBoxLinuxAdditions.run
script. Errors often indicate missing prerequisites (build tools, kernel headers) or permission problems. Ensure you ran the script withsudo
and that all necessary packages were installed beforehand. - Features don’t work after installation: Did you reboot the VM? A reboot is almost always required.
- Screen doesn’t auto-resize: Ensure you have the “Auto-resize Guest Display” option enabled in the VirtualBox VM window menu (
View
->Auto-resize Guest Display
). - Shared Folders don’t work: After setting up the shared folder in the VM settings, you might need to manually mount it or ensure your user is part of the
vboxsf
group in the guest OS:
sudo usermod -aG vboxsf your_username
- (Replace
your_username
with your actual username in the guest). You’ll need to log out and log back in for this group membership to take effect. - Guest Additions break after a kernel update: This is common if
dkms
was not installed or didn’t function correctly. Re-running the./VBoxLinuxAdditions.run
script after a kernel update will typically fix this.
Conclusion
Installing VirtualBox Guest Additions is an essential step for anyone running Linux as a guest operating system in VirtualBox. It transforms the virtual machine experience from basic to highly integrated and performant. By following the steps outlined and ensuring your guest system has the necessary build tools, you’ll unlock features like seamless mouse integration, improved display support, and easy file sharing, making your Linux VM significantly more pleasant to use.
Unlock Your Virtual Machine’s Full Potential: Your Top Tips, Techniques, and Troubleshooting Steps for Installing VirtualBox Guest Additions
Running a guest operating system inside a VirtualBox virtual machine is incredibly useful, whether for testing software, running legacy applications, or exploring different environments. However, straight out of the box, your virtual machine experience might feel a little clunky. The display resolution might be fixed, windows won’t resize smoothly, file sharing and drag-and-drop are non-existent, and overall performance can feel sluggish.
Enter VirtualBox Guest Additions.
These are a set of device drivers and system applications that significantly enhance the performance and usability of guest operating systems. Installing them is arguably the most important step after setting up a new VM. They enable features like:
- Dynamic Display Resolution: The guest screen automatically resizes as you change the VM window size.
- Seamless Mouse Integration: No more grabbing/releasing the mouse cursor; it moves freely between the host and guest.
- Shared Clipboard: Copy and paste text and sometimes files between host and guest.
- Drag and Drop: Easily move files between host and guest.
- Shared Folders: Access host directories directly from the guest.
- Better Video Performance: Accelerated video playback and graphics rendering.
- Improved Time Synchronization: Keep guest time accurate.
- Generic Communication Channels: Various other enhancements.
While installing Guest Additions is often straightforward, especially on common OSes like Windows, it can sometimes present challenges, particularly with different Linux distributions or older/less common operating systems. This article delves into the process, covering essential prerequisites, step-by-step guides for different OS families, and crucial troubleshooting tips. We’ll go beyond the basic “click install” and look at the nuances often missed, presenting a comprehensive list of tips and techniques to ensure success. Let’s dive into the details!
Preparing for Installation: Essential Prerequisites and Initial Steps
Before you even think about inserting the Guest Additions CD image, a little preparation goes a long way. Skipping these initial steps is a common pitfall.
- Understanding What You’re Installing: Guest Additions are drivers and utilities specific to the guest OS running inside the VM. They integrate with the guest’s kernel and system services. They are not installed on the host machine.
- Ensure the VM is Running: This might sound obvious, but you can only install Guest Additions inside the running guest operating system.
- Confirm CD/DVD Drive Availability: The Guest Additions are typically delivered as an ISO image, which VirtualBox mounts as a virtual CD-ROM drive inside the guest VM. Ensure your VM’s settings include a virtual optical drive.
- Locate the Guest Additions ISO: The ISO file (VBoxGuestAdditions.iso) is usually installed alongside VirtualBox on your host machine. VirtualBox knows where to find it.
- Update the Guest Operating System: Crucial on Linux, and highly recommended on others. Ensure your guest OS has all the latest updates, especially kernel updates and development tools (like compilers) on Linux. This prevents compatibility issues.
- Snapshot BEFORE Installing: This is a golden rule of VM management. Take a snapshot of your VM before attempting the installation. If something goes wrong, you can easily revert to the previous working state.
- Know Your Guest OS Version and Architecture: While the installer often detects this, being aware (e.g., Windows 10 64-bit, Ubuntu 22.04 LTS 64-bit, Fedora 38) can help diagnose issues or find specific instructions online if needed.
The Installation Process: OS-Specific Approaches
The core method of getting the Guest Additions installer into the guest is the same, but the execution within the guest differs significantly based on the operating system.
- Inserting the Guest Additions CD Image (VirtualBox Menu): With the guest VM running, go to the VirtualBox VM window menu bar. Click Devices -> Insert Guest Additions CD image…. This tells VirtualBox to attach the VBoxGuestAdditions.iso file as a virtual CD-ROM drive to your guest VM.
Once the image is inserted, the next steps depend on your guest OS:
For Windows Guests (XP, 7, 8, 10, 11, Server):
- Look for Autoplay: Windows is usually configured to autoplay CDs/DVDs. A notification might pop up asking what you want to do with the “CD Drive (D:) VBox_Guest_Additions”. Click it to proceed.
- Manually Open the Drive: If autoplay doesn’t happen, open “This PC” or “My Computer” and navigate to the virtual CD/DVD drive labeled “VBox_Guest_Additions”. Double-click it.
- Run the Correct Installer: Inside the drive, you’ll see several files. Run the appropriate installer for your Windows version and architecture (e.g., VBoxWindowsAdditions-amd64.exe for 64-bit Windows, VBoxWindowsAdditions-x86.exe for 32-bit Windows).
- Follow the On-Screen Prompts: The installer is a standard Windows wizard. Click “Next”, accept the license, choose components (usually default is fine), and click “Install”.
- Authorize Driver Installations: During the installation, you might see pop-ups asking if you trust drivers from “Oracle Corporation”. You must click “Install” or “Allow” for these to be installed correctly.
- Reboot When Prompted: The installer will typically require a reboot to finalize the driver installations and load the new components. Do it.
For Linux Guests (Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian, CentOS, RHEL, Arch, etc.):
Linux installation is often done via the command line and requires specific system packages.
- Access the CD Content: The virtual CD-ROM will appear in your file manager (e.g., Nautilus, Dolphin, Thunar). You can usually click it to open it. Note the mount point (often /media/cdrom or /run/media/username/…).
- Open a Terminal: Installation requires elevated privileges (sudo). Open a terminal window.
- Navigate to the CD Directory: Use the cd command to change directory to where the CD content is mounted. Example: cd /media/cdrom (adjust path as needed).
- Install Required Packages (Prerequisite Check Revisited):Before running the installer script, ensure you have the necessary tools. This is a very common reason for failure on Linux. You typically need:
- A C compiler (like gcc).
- make.
- The kernel headers package that exactly matches your running kernel version.
- Sometimes other build tools (perl, elfutils-libelf-devel, etc.).
Use your distribution’s package manager:
- Debian/Ubuntu: sudo apt update && sudo apt install build-essential dkms linux-headers-$(uname -r)
- Fedora/CentOS/RHEL: sudo dnf update && sudo dnf install gcc make kernel-devel-$(uname -r) (or yum instead of dnf)
- Arch Linux: sudo pacman -Syu base-devel linux-headers (adjust linux-headers if using a non-standard kernel)
- Execute the Installer Script: The primary installer script is typically VBoxLinuxAdditions.run. Execute it with sudo: sudo ./VBoxLinuxAdditions.run
- Monitor the Output: Watch the terminal output. It will show the steps being performed, including compiling kernel modules. Look for errors!
- Reboot the Guest: After the script completes successfully, reboot the Linux guest VM: sudo reboot
For BSD, Solaris, or macOS Guests:
While less common as guests, VirtualBox does support them. The process is similar: insert the CD image, then find and run the appropriate installer program or script (VBoxSolarisAdditions.pkg, install.sh, etc.) from the mounted CD. Consult the VirtualBox documentation for specifics on these OSes.
Troubleshooting Common Installation Problems
Installation doesn’t always go perfectly. Here are solutions to frequent issues:
- Guest Additions CD Image Doesn’t Appear/Mount:
- Check the VirtualBox VM window menu: Devices -> Optical Drives. Is “VBoxGuestAdditions.iso” listed and checked? If not, try clicking “Insert Guest Additions CD image…” again.
- Check the VM’s Storage settings: Is there a virtual optical drive controller (IDE or SATA) attached? Is it configured to attach the Host Drive (optical drive on your physical machine) or is it empty? It should be empty initially for VirtualBox to attach the ISO.
- Sometimes manually attaching the ISO via Storage settings is needed: Right-click the optical controller -> “Choose/Create a Virtual Optical Disk…” -> Navigate to where VirtualBox is installed on your host and find the VBoxGuestAdditions.iso file.
- “Permission Denied” on Linux Installer:
- You need root privileges. Ensure you are using sudo before the script name (e.g., sudo ./VBoxLinuxAdditions.run).
- Make sure the script is executable: chmod +x VBoxLinuxAdditions.run. (It usually is by default on the ISO, but worth checking).
- Missing Compiler/Headers Errors on Linux:
- This is the most common Linux issue. Go back to step 18 and rigorously ensure build-essential/gcc/make and the correct linux-headers or kernel-devel package are installed. The header version must match the output of uname -r in your guest terminal.
- If you recently updated the kernel, you might need to reboot the guest before installing headers so uname -r shows the new version.
- Kernel Module Build Failure on Linux:
- This usually points back to incorrect or missing headers/build tools (see point 24).
- Check the output carefully. Error messages often indicate which header file or symbol is missing.
- Ensure DKMS (Dynamic Kernel Module Support) is installed (step 18 includes this for Debian/Ubuntu/Fedora usually). DKMS helps rebuild modules after kernel updates.
- Installer Hangs or Crashes:
- This can be tricky. Check the VM’s CPU and RAM allocation – is it sufficient for the guest OS and the installation process?
- On Linux, try running the installer with –nox11 if you are in a GUI environment: sudo ./VBoxLinuxAdditions.run –nox11. This prevents the installer from trying to interact directly with the graphical environment, which can sometimes be problematic.
- Check VirtualBox Logs: In the VirtualBox Manager, select the VM (when it’s powered off), go to Logs, and look for errors that occurred during the VM’s run session when you attempted the installation.
- Features Don’t Work After Installation (Shared Clipboard, Drag & Drop):
- Did you reboot? This is absolutely necessary after installation on most OSes.
- Check VM Settings: In the VirtualBox Manager for the host, verify that Shared Clipboard and Drag and Drop are enabled for the specific VM (Settings -> General -> Advanced).
- Check Guest Settings: Sometimes, guest utilities have settings for these features.
- Ensure the correct Guest Additions version is installed: It should match the version of your VirtualBox host software as closely as possible. Major mismatches can cause issues.
- Display Resolution Problems Persist:
- After rebooting, the guest OS should automatically detect VirtualBox’s display driver.
- If using Linux, ensure the xserver-xorg-video-virtualbox package (or similar depending on distro) is installed. Running the main VBoxLinuxAdditions.run script usually handles this, but verify.
- Some desktop environments might require manually setting the resolution initially, but dynamic resizing should work after the driver is loaded.
- Guest Additions Version Mismatch:
- Ideally, the Guest Additions version should match your VirtualBox host version. If you upgrade VirtualBox on your host, you should generally plan to re-install or update the Guest Additions in your guests shortly after.
- Running older Guest Additions with a newer VirtualBox can lead to features not working or instability.
Quick Reference Table: Common Linux Prerequisites
Distribution Family | Package Manager Command | Essential Packages | Notes |
Debian / Ubuntu | sudo apt update && sudo apt install … | build-essential, dkms, linux-headers-$(uname -r) | build-essential pulls gcc, make, etc. |
Fedora / CentOS / RHEL | sudo dnf update && sudo dnf install … (or yum) | gcc, make, kernel-devel-$(uname -r) | On older CentOS/RHEL, headers might be kernel-headers-$(uname -r) |
Arch Linux | sudo pacman -Syu … | base-devel, linux-headers (or specific kernel headers like linux-lts-headers) | base-devel includes gcc, make. |
openSUSE | sudo zypper ref && sudo zypper install … | gcc, make, kernel-devel | kernel-devel often works automatically after update. |
(Note: Package names and exact commands can vary slightly by specific distribution version.)
Post-Installation Verification & Maintenance
- Verify Functionality: After the guest reboots, test the key features: try moving your mouse seamlessly out of the VM window, copy text from the host and paste it into the guest (and vice versa), enable shared folders and see if you can access them, and resize the VM window to see if the guest display adjusts.
- Check Installed Version: On Windows, you can see the installed version in “Programs and Features”. On Linux, the output of the installer script often shows the version, or you might find version information in system logs or package lists if installed via distribution-specific packages (see point 19).
Conclusion
Installing VirtualBox Guest Additions is a fundamental step towards a smooth and efficient virtual machine experience. While often a simple process, especially with Windows guests, understanding the underlying requirements and potential pitfalls – particularly on Linux – is key to troubleshooting. By following these tips, ensuring prerequisites are met, using the correct OS-specific steps,
1. What are VirtualBox Guest Additions?
Answer:
VirtualBox Guest Additions are a set of drivers and system applications installed inside a guest OS to improve performance and usability, such as better graphics support, shared clipboard, and seamless mouse integration.
2. Why should I install Guest Additions on my VirtualBox VM?
Answer:
Installing Guest Additions improves the VM’s performance, enables features like shared folders, clipboard sharing, better video support, and seamless mouse integration.
3. Which operating systems support VirtualBox Guest Additions?
Answer:
Guest Additions support most popular OSes, including Windows, Linux, Solaris, and FreeBSD.
4. How do I start the installation of Guest Additions on a Windows guest OS?
Answer:
- Start your Windows VM.
- Click on the “Devices” menu in the VirtualBox VM window.
- Select “Insert Guest Additions CD Image.”
- Follow the on-screen installer inside the Windows VM.
5. How do I start the installation of Guest Additions on a Linux guest OS?
Answer:
- Start your Linux VM.
- Insert the Guest Additions CD image via “Devices” > “Insert Guest Additions CD Image.”
- Mount the CD if not auto-mounted.
- Run the installer script from the mounted directory (usually
VBoxLinuxAdditions.run
).
6. How do I insert the Guest Additions CD image?
Answer:
In the running VM window, click on Devices > Insert Guest Additions CD Image…. VirtualBox will mount the ISO containing the Guest Additions installer inside the guest.
7. What if the “Insert Guest Additions CD Image” option is grayed out?
Answer:
It means the Guest Additions ISO is not found. To fix:
- Go to VirtualBox Manager > File > Preferences > Extensions and ensure the Guest Additions ISO is installed.
- Or manually download and place the ISO in the VirtualBox installation directory.
8. How do I mount the Guest Additions CD in Linux manually?
Answer:
sudo mkdir /mnt/cdrom
sudo mount /dev/cdrom /mnt/cdrom
Then navigate to /mnt/cdrom
to run the installer.
9. How do I run the Guest Additions installer in Linux?
Answer:
Navigate to the mounted directory and run:
sudo sh ./VBoxLinuxAdditions.run
10. What are the prerequisites for installing Guest Additions on Linux?
Answer:
Ensure you have:
- build-essential (compiler tools)
- dkms (Dynamic Kernel Module Support)
- linux-headers for your current kernel version
Install with:
sudo apt-get install build-essential dkms linux-headers-$(uname -r)
11. How do I check if Guest Additions are installed successfully?
Answer:
- On Windows, check if the VirtualBox Guest Additions icon appears in the system tray.
- On Linux, run
lsmod | grep vboxguest
to see if modules are loaded.
12. How do I enable shared clipboard after installing Guest Additions?
Answer:
In VirtualBox Manager:
- Select your VM > Settings > General > Advanced.
- Set Shared Clipboard to “Bidirectional.”
- Restart your VM.
13. How do I enable drag and drop between host and guest?
Answer:
In VirtualBox Manager:
- Select VM > Settings > General > Advanced.
- Set Drag and Drop to “Bidirectional.”
- Restart VM.
14. How do I uninstall Guest Additions from Windows guest?
Answer:
Go to Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a program, find “Oracle VM VirtualBox Guest Additions,” and uninstall it.
15. How do I uninstall Guest Additions from Linux guest?
Answer:
Run the uninstall script inside the mounted Guest Additions directory:
sudo ./VBoxLinuxAdditions.run uninstall
16. How do I update Guest Additions?
Answer:
Insert the latest Guest Additions CD image and rerun the installer. Restart the VM after installation.
17. Can I install Guest Additions without a GUI?
Answer:
Yes, in Linux server editions, mount the ISO and run the installation script via command line.
18. How do I fix Guest Additions installation failure on Linux?
Answer:
- Ensure all dependencies (build-essential, dkms, headers) are installed.
- Check kernel version compatibility.
- Review
/var/log/vboxadd-install.log
for errors.
19. How to enable automatic resizing of the guest display?
Answer:
After installing Guest Additions, go to VM menu > View > Auto-resize Guest Display, or press Host + G
(Host key is usually Right Ctrl).
20. What is seamless mode in VirtualBox?
Answer:
Seamless mode integrates guest windows with the host desktop, making guest applications appear like native apps on the host.
21. How do I enable seamless mode?
Answer:
After installing Guest Additions, press Host + L
or select View > Seamless Mode.
22. How to share folders between host and guest?
Answer:
- In VirtualBox Manager, go to VM > Settings > Shared Folders.
- Add a folder path and enable Auto-mount and Make Permanent.
- Access the folder inside guest under
/media/sf_<foldername>
(Linux) or network drives (Windows).
23. How to fix permission issues accessing shared folders in Linux guest?
Answer:
Add your user to the vboxsf
group:
sudo usermod -aG vboxsf $USER
Then log out and log back in.
24. How do I check the version of installed Guest Additions?
Answer:
- Windows: Check Guest Additions version in Control Panel.
- Linux: Run:
modinfo vboxguest | grep version
25. Can I install Guest Additions on a headless VM?
Answer:
Yes, mount the ISO and run the installer via command line.
26. How to troubleshoot Guest Additions mouse pointer issues?
Answer:
Try reinstalling Guest Additions, enable mouse integration from VM menu, or update VirtualBox and Guest Additions.
27. Does installing Guest Additions require a VM restart?
Answer:
Yes, you should restart the guest OS after installation for changes to take effect.
28. How do I manually download Guest Additions ISO?
Answer:
Download from the official VirtualBox website or find it inside the VirtualBox installation directory, usually:C:\Program Files\Oracle\VirtualBox\VBoxGuestAdditions.iso
29. What if Guest Additions installer freezes or crashes?
Answer:
- Ensure the ISO is not corrupted.
- Check guest OS compatibility.
- Reinstall after rebooting the guest OS.
30. Can I install Guest Additions on macOS guests?
Answer:
Official support for macOS guests is limited. Guest Additions are primarily for Windows, Linux, Solaris, and FreeBSD guests.
If you want, I can provide detailed step-by-step guides for specific OSes or troubleshoot common errors as well!