Running Tails in virt-manager

Table of contents

1. Overview
2. Prepare the USB Image
3. Create and run the virtual machine

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Overview

Running Tails from a USB image is the only virtualization software that allows you to use a Persistent Storage in a virtual machine.

Official Tails guide Running Tails from a USB image, includes step 3 Increase the size of the USB image. However, this is not sufficient. The partition and FAT File System also need to be resized. Follow the steps below to properly prepare the USB image.

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Prepare the USB Image

• Download Tails as a USB image.

• Increase the size of the USB image:

  $ cd ~/Downloads
  $ truncate -s 16GB tails-amd64-6.2.img
  

• Attach the Image to a Loop Device:

  $ sudo losetup -Pf --show tails-amd64-6.2.img
  

  The command will return a loop device name, e.g. /dev/loop0.

• Fix the GPT Partition Table:

  $ sudo gdisk /dev/loop0
  

  • In gdisk, enter the following commands:
    • x to enter the expert menu.
    • e to relocate the backup data structures to the end of the disk.
    • w to write the changes and exit.
• Resize the partition:

  $ sudo parted /dev/loop0 print
  $ sudo parted /dev/loop0
  (parted) resizepart 1 100%
  

• Resize the FAT File System:
  • Launch GParted
  • Select the loop device (your image file mounted as a loop device) from the top right dropdown menu.
  • Right-click the FAT32 partition you want to resize and choose “Resize/Move.”
  • Adjust the size settings in the dialog box. You can use the graphical slider or enter specific values for the new size.
  • Apply the changes by clicking the green check mark button.

Create and run the virtual machine

• Execute the steps in section Running Tails from a USB image, starting with step 3.

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