# Virtual machine setup overview

Qualcomm^®^ Linux^®^ uses the Ubuntu Linux distribution to sync, build, and flash the associated firmware on supported devices. If you have an Ubuntu machine, you can skip this document. If you don’t have an Ubuntu machine, you need to set up a virtual machine (VM) running Ubuntu on
a Windows^®^ or Mac^®^ host computer.

This guide describes the following:

- Required host computer configuration and software to set up an Ubuntu VM
- Required Ubuntu Linux distribution for Qualcomm Linux
- Procedures to set up VMs running the Ubuntu operating system on both Windows and Mac host computers
- Troubleshooting steps for common technical issues

## Next steps

- [Set up WSL on Windows and install Ubuntu](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-70030-41/topic/set-up-an-ubuntu-vm-on-windows.html#set-up-an-ubuntu-vm-on-windows)
- [Set up an Ubuntu Server VM on an Arm64 Mac](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-70030-41/topic/set-up-an-ubuntu-vm-on-an-arm64-based-mac.html#set-up-an-ubuntu-vm-on-an-arm64-based-mac)

Last Published: Jul 02, 2026

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