How can I make my Ubuntu 12.04 look like a Mac?

I want my Ubuntu to look like Mac OS X. Just icon and theme if possible! Is it possible? Is there any way to install slingshot launcher?


There is a OS X Lion theme for Precise and other versions available in the Noobslab themes PPA.

The full blog post on Noobslab about changing the cursors, installing Cairo Dock for a "OS X"-ish launcher and other ways to max out the OS X feeling like a Apple splash screen can be found here.


In short (for 12.04): you have to add the repository to you sources and install the packages then. To do that open a terminal and enter these commands:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:noobslab/themes
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install mac-os-lion-theme mac-os-lion-cursors mac-os-lion-icons

To change your theme, icons and cursors you must use a tool. You can install one like that (again: from a terminal):

## for Gnome Tweak Tool
sudo apt-get install gnome-tweak-tool

## for Ubuntu Tweak
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:tualatrix/ppa
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install ubuntu-tweak

As for Slingshot launcher: there is no stable release yet! You could add the elementary-dev/daily PPA and install a unstable version but that bears a high risk for your system!

Maybe (and just maybe since I don't know if this will work) you could download the latest stable version of slingshot here and install it manually: How to install tar.gz


Here is another way...

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:webupd8team/themes
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install adwaita-cupertino-gtk-theme

This will install the theme. Here is a description for the theme from the WebUpd8 website:

Mac-like GTK3 theme in two variants, each optimized for either GNOME
Shell or unity Package name: “adwaita-cupertino-gtk-theme”

Ubuntu versions: 12.04, 11.10"