Function
Learn about the full capabilities of VM64, including virtualization and emulation, guest systems, graphics, sharing, networking, USB, snapshots, and automation.
All features
VM64 functionality is divided into 9 categories. Some functions have requirements for chip or system versions. See the bottom of this page for details.
Virtualization and emulation
VM64 has 2 backends, QEMU and Apple. The Apple backend only runs macOS and Linux. While the architecture of the virtual machine is the same as that of the Mac, VM64 uses virtualization to run at nearly native speeds. Other architectures are run using QEMU emulation, which can emulate more than 30 CPUs.
Client System
You can install Windows, Linux, and macOS, as well as classic systems like Mac OS 9, Windows 95, and Windows 98. Windows requires a bring-your-own license.
Graphics
QEMU virtual machines running Linux can use Vulkan 1.3 or OpenGL 4.1. Windows 11 virtual machines can use DirectX 11 and DirectX 12 as experimental features. DirectX 11 requires macOS 13 or later. DirectX 12 requires macOS 14 or later.
Shared
Copy and paste text between your Mac and virtual machine. Share folders on Mac to a virtual machine and read and write files directly in the virtual machine. When sharing folders with a macOS virtual machine, both the Mac and the virtual machine require macOS 13 or later. When sharing a clipboard with a macOS virtual machine, both the Mac and the virtual machine require macOS 15 or later.
Network
QEMU virtual machines have 4 network modes, namely emulated VLAN, shared network, host only, and bridged. Simulated VLAN can set up port forwarding.
USB
QEMU virtual machines can use USB devices on Mac. Many devices cannot complete a hardware reset and may not work properly after being connected.
Snapshot
Snapshots of QEMU virtual machines save disk and operating state. QEMU virtual machines can also use throwaway mode, discarding all changes after shutdown.
Automation
Start, stop, and clone virtual machines with shortcuts, AppleScript, or command-line tools. After installing the client tools, you can also execute commands in the QEMU virtual machine. The virtual machine can run in the background without displaying a window.
Remote Connection
Connect to a QEMU virtual machine on your Mac from your iPhone or iPad. When connecting for the first time, fingerprints will be displayed on both ends, and the connection will be trusted after verification.
Key functions
Same-architecture virtualization, cross-architecture simulation
On Apple-silicon Macs, ARM64 systems run using virtualization. On Intel Macs, x86_64 systems run using virtualization. Both are nearly native in speed. Other architectures run using QEMU emulation, such as x86, ARM32, MIPS, PowerPC, and RISC-V. Emulation is slower than virtualization, especially when running x86 systems on Apple silicon.
Run a macOS virtual machine on your Mac
Macs using Apple silicon and running macOS 12 or later can install macOS virtual machines. When you don't select an IPSW file, VM64 automatically downloads a compatible macOS version. macOS virtual machines use the Apple backend. Intel Macs cannot run macOS virtual machines.
Share clipboards and folders
Text copied on the Mac can be pasted into the virtual machine, and vice versa. Folders on your Mac can be shared to virtual machines. When sharing the clipboard, the client tools need to be installed in the virtual machine first. When sharing a clipboard with a macOS virtual machine, both the Mac and the virtual machine require macOS 15 or later.
System requirements for each function
The following content has requirements for chip or system version. Check this list to see what features are available on your Mac and virtual machines.
- Run VM64
- macOS 12 or higher. Both Apple chips and Intel Macs will work.
- macOS Virtual Machine
- Apple silicon, macOS 12 or later. Intel Macs cannot run macOS virtual machines.
- Use Rosetta to run x86_64 programs in a Linux virtual machine
- Apple silicon, macOS 13 or later. Linux virtual machines require an Apple backend.
- DirectX 11 graphics for Windows 11
- macOS 13 or higher. This is an experimental feature.
- DirectX 12 graphics for Windows 11
- macOS 14 or higher. On Apple chips, Rosetta also needs to be installed. This is an experimental feature.
- macOS Virtual Machine Shared Folder
- Both Mac and virtual machines require macOS 13 or later.
- macOS Virtual Machine Automatically Adjusts Resolution
- Virtual machines require macOS 14 or higher.
- macOS Virtual Machine Shared Clipboard
- Both Mac and virtual machines require macOS 15 or later.