Run OS X 10.6 virtual machine on macOS 10.15 with VirtualBox

I am struggling to create a Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard) virtual machine on macOS 10.15 (Catalina). How can I use Snow Leopard in VirtualBox on macOS Catalina?

Here is what I have:

macOS 10.15.7 (19H1217)
- Running on a MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2014)
VirtualBox version 6.1.22 r144080 (Qt5.6.3)
Max OS X 10.6 install ISO file

After initial setup, VirtualBox gets here and no further: enter image description here

Solution 1:

You are correct. I am using an iMac (21.5 inch, Late 2013) with Catalina 10.15.7 and the same version of Virtual Box. I solved your problem by have the firmware boot from z file. I chose to boot from FS1:\System\Library\CoreServices\boot.efi.

The simple solution is to enter the following at the Shell> prompt.

FS1:\System\Library\CoreServices\boot.efi

I used a Snow Leopard ISO file created from a Snow Leopard OS X 10.6 DVD purchased from Apple. For more information, see this answer.

I needed to set the "Audio Controller" to ICH AC97, otherwise Snow Leopard would not boot after the installation completed. This change results in a Snow Leopard without sound.

After installing, I immediately upgraded to OS X 10.6.8 by downloading Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1 to the host, transferring to the virtual machine and installing.

I enabled the 64 bit kernel by entering the following command, then restarting.

sudo systemsetup -setkernelbootarchitecture x86_64

Guest Additions failed to install with the following popup message.

I had no problems installing Snow Leopard on a iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2011) with High Sierra 10.13.6 and Virtual Box version 6.1.12 r139181 (Qt5.6.3). In other words, I did not need to change the "Audio Controller". I was able to upgrade to OS X 10.6.8 and enable the 64 bit kernel. However, Guest Additions failed to install with the following popup message.