Streamlined macOS Virtualization with Virtualos

Virtualos, a free and open-source virtualization solution tailored for Apple Silicon Macs, has released its latest iteration, version 2.1. Built upon Apple’s native virtualization framework, Virtualos focuses on a singular, yet crucial, function: enabling macOS to run as a guest operating system.This capability is invaluable for various use cases, including testing macOS beta releases, establishing dedicated programming environments, conducting compatibility assessments, and creating pristine system installations for specific tasks.

Key Improvements in Version 2.1

According to developer Jahn Bertsch, Virtualos 2.1 introduces a meaningful enhancement: users can now freely designate the storage location for their guest macOS systems. This provides greater versatility and control over virtual machine management. However, this feature requires macOS Sequoia 15 or later.

Limitations and Future Prospects

While apple’s virtualization framework in macOS 15 includes iCloud support, a notable limitation persists: access to the Mac App Store within the virtualized environment remains restricted. whether macOS 16 will address this constraint remains to be seen. This limitation can impact users who rely on the Mac App Store for software installation and updates within their virtual machines.

“It remains to be seen whether MacOS 16 will fix this restriction.”

Virtualos Features and Functionality

Available on the Mac App Store under an open-source license,Virtualos allows users to allocate a specific number of processor cores and memory to each macOS guest system. Moreover, users can customize the screen resolution to suit their needs.This level of control ensures optimal performance and usability within the virtualized environment.

Apple’s Virtualization Framework: A Foundation for Innovation

Apple introduced its virtualization framework with macOS Big Sur 11 and has progressively refined it in subsequent releases. This framework provides the underlying technology for running both macOS and Linux/unix-based operating systems as guest systems. While Virtualos leverages this framework effectively, its current focus remains exclusively on macOS virtualization. The absence of Linux/Unix support might be a drawback for users seeking a more versatile virtualization solution. For those requiring Linux virtualization on Apple Silicon, alternatives like UTM or Parallels Desktop are available, each offering varying degrees of performance and features. According to recent statistics, the demand for virtualization solutions on macOS has increased by 25% in the last year, driven by the growing popularity of Apple Silicon Macs and the need for cross-platform compatibility.