justinvallely/MacVM

MacVM

Virtualizing macOS with Apple Silicon host.

Starting from scratch

1. Download up to date MacOS ipsw file
2. Disconnect any external displays.
3. Build and run the MacVM.xcodeproj Xcode project
   • In the dialog the opens, click "Create New Document"
   • Adjust VM parameters as needed
   • Save (⌘s or File->Save) with name MacVM clean.macosvm
   • Click "Select IPSW and Continue" and select the file you downloaded in step 1.
   • Click "Install"
4. Tap the Play button in the top right corner to launch the Virtual Machine.
5. Setup MacOS to your liking. Stop when you've reached a good rollback point.
   • Make sure to enable File Sharing (System Preferences -> Sharing)
6. Save to the macosvm file again.
7. Continue on to the next section now that you have a rollback point.

Starting from a rollback point with some basics already configured

1. Duplicate MacVM clean.macosvm and rename it MacVM.macosvm.
2. Disconnect any external displays.
3. Open and run the MacVM.xcodeproj Xcode project.
4. Select the newly created MacVM.macosvm when prompted or with File -> Open.
5. Tap the Play button in the top right corner to launch the Virtual Machine.
6. Password: {whatever you initially setup in the MacVM clean.macosvm image}
7. At this point it's ok to reconnect external displays.
8. Open Finder on host machine -> Virtual Machine -> {shared folder name}
   • Upload any necessary files:
     • Current Xcode version downloaded from Apple (zipped)
     • Command Line Tools for Xcode dmg file
     • Environment Setup doc exported to PDF (for easy access to links)
     • notes.txt file with any passwords, api keys, GitHub personal access token, etc.
9. Follow Environment setup doc