Is Virtualizing an Intel Mac Supported on Apple Silicon Via the Virtualization Framework?

App & System Services Core OS
Macho Man Randy Savage OP
Created Feb ’23
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I wasn't able to find an answer to this question via search but I was wondering if it is possible to virtualize an Intel Mac using the Virtualization framework on macOS?

I have an M1 MacBook Pro and I want to virtualize macOS as if it is running on a Mac with an Intel processor.

Answered by Engineer in 746312022

It isn't possible with Virtualization framework.

Virtualization framework implements hardware-accelerated virtualization. For the vast majority of instructions, the VM is being run on the actual Apple Silicon hardware, they are not emulated. It's one of the reason virtual machines are so fast in this environment. Since the instructions aren't emulated, the Intel instructions cannot be run in such VMs.

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Engineer OP
Apple
Feb ’23
Accepted Answer

It isn't possible with Virtualization framework.

Virtualization framework implements hardware-accelerated virtualization. For the vast majority of instructions, the VM is being run on the actual Apple Silicon hardware, they are not emulated. It's one of the reason virtual machines are so fast in this environment. Since the instructions aren't emulated, the Intel instructions cannot be run in such VMs.

1
Macho Man Randy Savage OP
Feb ’23

Thanks for answering.

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Is Virtualizing an Intel Mac Supported on Apple Silicon Via the Virtualization Framework?
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