Why Apple Silicon VMs Can’t Run Every OS

Virtual machines on Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3, and later) cannot run every operating system because they rely on a fundamentally different processor architecture (ARM64) and a unique boot and security model. While Intel Macs used x86_64 CPUs and a BIOS/UEFI firmware that most operating systems already supported, Apple Silicon uses ARM64 CPUs with a custom boot process that only officially supports Apple’s own operating systems and a few specially adapted ones. This means older Windows versions, many Linux distributions, and other x86-only operating systems simply cannot boot directly, and even ARM64 versions may face driver and firmware hurdles.

What Changed with Apple Silicon

When Apple transitioned from Intel to its own chips in 2020, the hardware foundation of the Mac changed in two critical ways. First, the CPU instruction set switched from x86_64 to ARM64 (AArch64). Software, including operating systems, must be compiled for a specific instruction set. An x86_64 operating system cannot run on an ARM64 processor without an emulation layer, and even then, the emulation must be sophisticated enough to handle the operating system’s kernel and drivers.

Second, Apple Silicon Macs use a custom boot process called iBoot, similar to what iPhones and iPads use. This bootloader checks for cryptographic signatures on the operating system kernel and drivers. Apple only publishes the necessary boot components and kernel extensions for its own operating systems (macOS, iOS, iPadOS) and for a select few partners like Windows 11 for ARM64 and certain Linux distributions. Without these signed components, an operating system cannot start.

How Virtualization Works on Apple Silicon

Virtualization software creates a virtual machine (VM) by presenting virtual hardware to the guest operating system. On Intel Macs, that virtual hardware could mimic standard x86 components (like a BIOS, an Intel CPU, and a SATA controller) that most operating systems already had drivers for. On Apple Silicon, the virtual hardware must be ARM64-based, and the VM must use Apple’s Virtualization Framework (or a hypervisor that leverages it) to run with decent performance.

Apple’s Virtualization Framework supports two types of VMs:

• Paravirtualized VMs: These use special drivers (virtio) that are optimized for virtual environments. They run macOS and Linux well, but the guest OS must include these drivers.
• Hardware-assisted VMs: These use the CPU’s virtualization extensions (like ARM’s Virtualization Host Extensions) to run unmodified operating systems, but the guest still needs to understand the ARM64 architecture and the specific virtual hardware presented.

For an operating system to run in a VM on Apple Silicon, it must be compiled for ARM64 and include drivers for the virtual hardware (virtio devices). It also needs to be able to boot via the Apple Silicon boot process, which is where the signature requirement becomes a barrier.

Why Some Operating Systems Won’t Boot

The primary reasons an operating system won’t run in a VM on Apple Silicon are:

• Architecture mismatch: The OS is compiled for x86_64 only. Windows 10 and earlier, most Linux distributions (until recent ARM64 builds), and older macOS versions are x86_64. They cannot run on ARM64 hardware without a full CPU emulator, which is too slow for practical use.
• Lack of signed boot components: Even if an OS has an ARM64 version (like Windows 11 ARM64), Apple’s bootloader requires a signed kernel and drivers. Apple has only signed for Windows 11 ARM64 and a few Linux distributions (like Ubuntu and Fedora ARM64). Others are not signed and cannot boot.
• Missing drivers: Even if an ARM64 OS can boot, it needs drivers for the virtual devices (GPU, network, storage). Apple provides virtio drivers for macOS and Linux, but not for Windows or other OSes. Without drivers, the OS may boot to a black screen or crash.
• Firmware restrictions: Apple’s boot process does not support legacy BIOS or UEFI in the traditional sense. It uses a custom EFI-like interface that only Apple’s components understand. This prevents many operating systems that rely on standard UEFI from booting.

What Works and What Doesn’t (Real Examples)

Here are concrete examples of what you can and cannot run:

• macOS: Runs natively as a VM, but only macOS 12 (Monterey) and later are supported by Apple’s Virtualization Framework. Earlier versions may not boot.
• Windows 11 ARM64: Officially supported by Apple’s Virtualization Framework, but only Windows 11 for ARM64. Windows 10 ARM64 is not officially supported, though some users have gotten it to boot with workarounds (but with missing drivers).
• Linux ARM64: Many distributions (Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian) have ARM64 versions that work well with virtio drivers. However, older or niche distributions may lack the necessary drivers or boot support.
• Windows 10 x64: Cannot run natively. You would need to use a full emulator like QEMU with TCG (Tiny Code Generator) to emulate x86, which is extremely slow and not practical for daily use.
• Older macOS versions (pre-11): Cannot run because they are x86_64 and lack ARM64 support.

Common Misconceptions and Workarounds

A common misconception is that you can just install any ARM64 OS and it will work. That is not true due to the signature requirement. Another misconception is that Rosetta 2 (Apple’s translation layer) can translate an entire operating system. Rosetta 2 only translates x86_64 applications on macOS, not other operating systems. It cannot be used to run a Windows x64 VM.

Workarounds exist for some cases:

• QEMU with TCG: This can emulate x86_64 on ARM64, but it is incredibly slow. It might be useful for testing or running a tiny OS, but not for real work.
• UTM (based on QEMU): UTM provides a user-friendly interface for QEMU and can emulate x86, but again, performance is poor.
• Cross-compiling or using source code: Some operating systems are open source (like Linux), so you could compile them for ARM64 and potentially add your own boot components, but this is highly technical and not for most users.

For Windows, the only practical path is Windows 11 ARM64. But even then, you may encounter issues with applications that are x86_64 only, as Windows on ARM uses its own translation layer (which is not as mature as Rosetta 2).

How to Choose a VM for Apple Silicon

When choosing a virtualization tool, consider what operating system you need to run:

• For macOS VMs: Use Apple’s Virtualization Framework directly (via a tool like UTM or a custom app) or use a commercial app like Parallels Desktop (which uses the same framework).
• For Linux ARM64 VMs: UTM (free) or Parallels Desktop work well. You can also use the command-line vzctl tool if you are comfortable with the terminal.
• For Windows 11 ARM64: Parallels Desktop is the most popular and officially supported option. Some users have used UTM, but it requires more setup and may have driver issues.

Always check the operating system’s official documentation for ARM64 support and for any specific requirements for Apple Silicon.

Performance and Limitations

Even when an operating system runs, performance can vary. Apple Silicon’s virtualization is efficient for CPU and memory, but GPU acceleration is limited. macOS and Linux VMs can use a virtual GPU (virtio-gpu) but it is not as fast as the host’s GPU. Windows 11 ARM64 uses a custom virtual GPU (Paravirtualized GPU) that provides basic graphics but cannot run demanding 3D applications. Also, some hardware features (like USB passthrough) may not work perfectly in all VMs.

Another limitation is that you cannot run an x86_64 operating system at native speed. The only way is emulation, which is slow. So if you need to run a legacy Windows application, you might be better off using a separate Intel machine or a cloud service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I install Windows 10 on an Apple Silicon Mac?

No, Windows 10 is only available for x86_64. You cannot install it natively or in a VM on Apple Silicon. You could use an emulator like QEMU, but it would be extremely slow and not practical.

Why can’t I boot a Linux ISO in a VM on Apple Silicon?

Most Linux ISOs are x86_64. You need an ARM64 ISO. Even then, the Linux kernel must include virtio drivers and be able to boot via Apple’s boot process. Ubuntu and Fedora ARM64 work, but some others may not.

Does Rosetta 2 allow me to run x86 VMs?

No. Rosetta 2 translates x86_64 applications to ARM64 on macOS. It does not translate entire operating systems. It cannot be used to run a Windows or Linux x86 VM.

Is there any way to run an older macOS version on Apple Silicon?

No, older macOS versions (10.x and 11) are x86_64 and do not support ARM64. You cannot run them in a VM on Apple Silicon.

Why does Windows 11 ARM64 work but not Windows 10 ARM64?

Microsoft and Apple have only signed the boot components for Windows 11 ARM64. Windows 10 ARM64 was not given the necessary signed drivers and bootloader, so it cannot boot on Apple Silicon. There are unofficial workarounds, but they are not reliable.

Can I use a VM to run an ARM64 version of Android?

Yes, some ARM64 Android versions can run in a VM on Apple Silicon, but they may require special configuration. Android for ARM64 is not officially supported by Apple, so you may need to use a custom build like Android-x86 (which is x86) or a specific ARM64 build from a third party. Performance may vary.

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