by Tim Hardwick
Apple is introducing a notable enhancement to its virtualization framework in macOS Sequoia by enabling Mac users to sign into iCloud within macOS virtual machines (VMs).
Previously, users could not sign into iCloud on macOS VMs, which limited the framework's utility for developers needing to test iCloud features and for users looking to sync their apps with iCloud. As spotted by ArsTechnica, macOS Sequoia removes that barrier, provided that both the host and guest operating systems are macOS 15 or newer.
The feature will be available on Apple silicon Macs, but it has some limitations. Developers aiming to run older macOS versions alongside macOS 15 in a VM or those who upgrade VMs from older macOS versions will not be able to sign into iCloud on the VM. Only brand-new VMs created from a macOS 15 install image (an .ipsw file) can utilize iCloud and services related to Apple Account (formerly Apple ID).
Apple's virtualization framework documentation explains:
"When you create a VM in macOS 15 from a macOS 15 software image… Virtualization configures an identity for the VM that it derives from security information in the host's Secure Enclave. Just as individual physical devices have distinct identities based on their Secure Enclaves, this identity is distinct from other VMs."
Apple says that if someone moves a VM to a different Mac host and restarts it, the Virtualization framework automatically creates a new identity for the VM using the information from the Secure Enclave of the new Mac host. This identity change requires the person using the VM to re-authenticate to allow iCloud to restart syncing data to the VM.
Both Parallels and VMware offer virtualization software, and Broadcom recently made VMware Fusion free for personal use. macOS Sequoia is currently in developer beta, with a public beta set to arrive in July, followed by a general release in the fall.
Related Roundup: macOS Sequoia
Related Forum: macOS Sequoia
[ 35 comments ]
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Top Rated Comments
t0mbola
6 days ago at 03:58 am
Ok, now allow virtualization on iPads and we are good
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
chrfr
6 days ago at 05:23 am
Thank you! I actually just purchased my MacPro 2019 machine a couple of months ago (refurb). I don't like the limitations that Apple Silicon imposes. This is yet another one.
Well, performance is the big limitation that staying with Intel imposes.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
therunningman
6 days ago at 07:17 am
Well, performance is the big limitation that staying with Intel imposes.
My workload involves virtualization pertaining to Intel hardware specifically. I can expand the RAM in my Intel MacPro to ridiculous amounts. I can do eGPUs. Apple Silicon allows none of this. So a performance hit vs. no performance at all is a really easy choice for me.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
chrfr
6 days ago at 04:16 am
Both Parallels and VMware offer virtualization software, and Broadcom recently made VMware Fusion free for personal use (https://www.macrumors.com/2024/05/15/vmware-fusion-pro-13-free-personal-use/). macOS Sequoia is currently in developer beta, with a public beta set to arrive in July, followed by a general release in the fall.Article Link: macOS Sequoia Adds iCloud Support for macOS 15 Virtual Machines (https://www.macrumors.com/2024/06/20/macos-sequoia-adds-icloud-support-vms/)
VMware Fusion does not allow the virtualization of macOS on Apple Silicon hosts, so that it exists at all is irrelevant to this topic.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mystery hill
6 days ago at 05:11 am
Ok, now allow virtualization on iPads and we are good
Apple rejected an App Store submission for UTM on iPhone and iPad, and also refused to notarize the app so that it could be listed on third-party app stores in the EU.
https://9to5mac.com/2024/06/09/apple-blocks-pc-emulator-utm-app-store/
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mystery hill
6 days ago at 03:52 am
Sequoia also supports nested virtualization on Apple Silicon, but only on M3.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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