How to Customize Ubuntu 23.04 to Look Like macOS
Ubuntu 23.04 Lunar Lobster, released in April 2023, brings forth many exciting features. Despite intense competition from OSes such as macOS and Windows, Ubuntu has still managed to create a niche for itself in the market.
If you are an Ubuntu aficionado fascinated by macOS’s layout, you could imbibe the look and feel onto 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 makeover process, allowing you to customize your themes and icons easily, post-installation.
To install GNOME Tweaks, fire up your Ubuntu terminal with the shortcutCtrl + Alt + T.
Type in the following command to install Tweaks:
Step 2: Use GNOME Shell Extensions
With the GNOME Tweaks tool installed, it’s time to install GNOME Shell Extensions so you may manipulate and make changes to the facade of your desktop, literally. The Extensions application allows you to install and enable user-defined themes on your machine.
In the terminal, enter the following command:
Post-installation, reboot your system for the changes to take effect. As soon as the system starts, typeExtensionsin the search bar. In the dialog box, scroll down and toggle the button next toUser Themes.
With this option enabled, you could install new themes onto your Ubuntu 23.04 machine.
Step 3: Download and Install macOS Themes
So far, you have installed all the prerequisites for enabling the themes on your Ubuntu machine. With the basics out of the way, it is time to move on to the fun part, i.e., downloading your favorite macOS-oriented themes.
Head over tognome-look.orgto search and download your favorite themes. To make it a little easier for you to pick and choose, here are some of the top options available for download:
Once you shortlist a theme, download its TAR.XZ file on your machine. Let’s download theMcMojavetheme for demonstration. McMojave is one of the most downloaded Ubuntu themes available, and it has quite a few contenders to do its bidding.
To install the Ubuntu theme, select the theme from the results and click theInstallbutton.
Head to the Downloads folder and double-click theMojave-CT-Classic.tar.xzfile to access its contents.
Extract the theme’s contents to the.themesfolder in your home directory. If you have an existing.themesfolder, you can drag and drop the newly extracted Mojave-CT-Classic theme folder into it. If you don’t have the folder, create it and then copy the theme folder into it.
Step 4: Download and Install macOS Icons
Next, it’s time to download matching icons to accompany your Ubuntu macOS theme. Depending on the theme, Ubuntu 23.04 users can pick andchoose different icon themesfor their desktops.
Since you have 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 into the.themesfolder, you must move it to the.iconsfolder.
Like before, if the.iconsfolder does not exist, feel free to create it.
Step 5: Use the GNOME Tweaks Tool to Make Visual Changes
With the theme and the icon pack ready, open the GNOME Tweaks tool to set the new theme and the associated settings.
Switch to theAppearancetab and in theIconsdrop-down menu, selectMojave-CT-Classic. SelectMojave-Dark(or any other theme you have downloaded) in theShelldrop-down.
Similarly, change the option toMojave-DarkforLegacy Applicationsas well.
Let’s add a few final touches to your desktop; these final two steps will be the cherry on the proverbial cake.
Step 6: Add a Dash to Dock via Extensions
One of the best features of macOS is its dock, which stores all the applications in one place. You can add a similar tray to your Ubuntu desktop, to give it macOS’s look and feel.
You must head toextensions.gnome.organd click theInstall browser extensionoption. Once the extension installs, search for theDash to Dockoption in the search bar. TheGNOME Extension Manager is a handy toolto manage all your downloaded extensions from one place.
Before moving forward, you must reboot your machine. Once the system restarts, go to theExtensionstoolbox. At the top, you will find a new addition for Dash to Dock under theManually Installedheader.
Toggle the button next to it to enable the extension. All your applications will be available in a docking tray on your desktop.
You can play around with the settings by clicking on theSettingsbutton. If you want to remove the docking tray extension, click theRemovebutton.
Step 7: Finish With an Authentic Wallpaper
Now that your desktop looks like a neat replica of macOS, why not add finishing touches using fancy wallpapers? Open Settings, followed by theAppearancetab. Under the headerBackground, click onAdd Picture. it’s possible to either select an image from the list of wallpapers or upload another of your choice.
That’s it; your Ubuntu 23.04 Lunar Lobster installation should now resemble a macOS interface. You can customize your desktop with a few easy steps to look like your favorite OS.
Changing Themes on Your Ubuntu Machine
GNOME themes add a subtle flavor to your entire desktop, by giving it a nice, refreshing feeling. While Ubuntu continues to be one of the most widely used Debian-based OSes, Ubuntu-powered distros aren’t far behind.
A few other Linux distros, such as Linux Mint, offer an equally flexible opportunity to change themes and make your desktop look surreal and exemplary.
it’s possible to choose options to make your desktop look grand, beautiful, and worthy of an admirable effort.
Take desktop customization to the next level by installing themes on your Linux Mint desktop.
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