# Virtualization Create virtual machines and run macOS and Linux-based operating systems. ## Overview The Virtualization framework provides high-level APIs for creating and managing virtual machines (VM) on Apple silicon and Intel-based Mac computers. Use this framework to boot and run macOS or Linux-based operating systems in custom environments that you define. The framework supports the [Virtual I/O Device (VIRTIO)](https://docs.oasis-open.org/virtio/virtio/v1.1/csprd01/virtio-v1.1-csprd01.html) specification, which defines standard interfaces for many device types, including network, socket, serial port, storage, entropy, and memory-balloon devices. To set up a VM, configure a [`VZVirtualMachineConfiguration`](/documentation/Virtualization/VZVirtualMachineConfiguration). If you’re creating a macOS guest also configure a [`VZMacPlatformConfiguration`](/documentation/Virtualization/VZMacPlatformConfiguration), and then add the devices you want to expose to the guest operating system. Then, create a [`VZVirtualMachineConfiguration`](/documentation/Virtualization/VZVirtualMachineConfiguration) object with your configuration data, and use that VM object to start, pause, and resume the VM environment. To interact with the guest, you create a [`VZVirtualMachineView`](/documentation/Virtualization/VZVirtualMachineView) with the [`VZVirtualMachine`](/documentation/Virtualization/VZVirtualMachine) object to display and interact with the graphical content in a window. ## Topics ### Essentials [Adding the Virtualization Entitlement to Your Project](/documentation/Virtualization/adding-the-virtualization-entitlement-to-your-project) Configure your project to use the Virtualization framework. [Using iCloud with macOS virtual machines](/documentation/Virtualization/using-icloud-with-macos-virtual-machines) Access iCloud from macOS guest virtual machines. ### Virtual machine setup Configure and boot different guest operating systems. [Running macOS in a virtual machine on Apple silicon](/documentation/Virtualization/running-macos-in-a-virtual-machine-on-apple-silicon) Install and run macOS in a virtual machine using the Virtualization framework. [Running Linux in a Virtual Machine](/documentation/Virtualization/running-linux-in-a-virtual-machine) Run a Linux operating system on your Mac using the Virtualization framework. [Running GUI Linux in a virtual machine on a Mac](/documentation/Virtualization/running-gui-linux-in-a-virtual-machine-on-a-mac) Install and run GUI Linux in a virtual machine using the Virtualization framework. [Installing macOS on a Virtual Machine](/documentation/Virtualization/installing-macos-on-a-virtual-machine) Download a macOS restore image and install it in a new VM. [Creating and Running a Linux Virtual Machine](/documentation/Virtualization/creating-and-running-a-linux-virtual-machine) Design and run custom Linux guests on Apple silicon or Intel-based Mac Computers. [Virtualize macOS on a Mac](/documentation/Virtualization/virtualize-macos-on-a-mac) Configure and run macOS guests on Apple silicon. [Virtualize Linux on a Mac](/documentation/Virtualization/virtualize-linux-on-a-mac) Configure and run Linux guests on Apple silicon and Intel-based Mac computers. [Running Intel Binaries in Linux VMs with Rosetta](/documentation/Virtualization/running-intel-binaries-in-linux-vms-with-rosetta) Run x86_64 Linux binaries under ARM Linux on Apple silicon. [Accelerating the performance of Rosetta](/documentation/Virtualization/accelerating-the-performance-of-rosetta) Improve Rosetta performance by adding support for the total store ordering (TSO) memory model to your Linux kernel. ### Runtime View or control guest operating systems. [`VZVirtualMachine`](/documentation/Virtualization/VZVirtualMachine) An object that manages the overall state and configuration of your VM. [`VZVirtualMachineView`](/documentation/Virtualization/VZVirtualMachineView) A view that allows user interaction with a VM. [`VZLinuxRosettaDirectoryShare`](/documentation/Virtualization/VZLinuxRosettaDirectoryShare) The Linux directory share for Rosetta. ### Devices Configure and connect devices to guest operating system instances. [Audio](/documentation/Virtualization/audio) Configure audio devices that enable the guest operating system to perform audio playback and capture through the host’s audio devices. [Graphics](/documentation/Virtualization/graphics) Configure a device for a guest to display its UI. [Keyboards and pointing devices](/documentation/Virtualization/keyboards-and-pointing-devices) Configure devices that connect a mouse and keyboard to the guest system. [Memory](/documentation/Virtualization/memory) Configure a memory balloon device to change the allocated memory for the guest system. [Network](/documentation/Virtualization/network) Configure the devices that connect the guest system to the network. [Randomization](/documentation/Virtualization/randomization) Configure a device for the guest system to use to generate random numbers. [Serial ports](/documentation/Virtualization/serial-ports) Configure the serial devices that you use to communicate with the guest system. [Shared directories](/documentation/Virtualization/shared-directories) Configure devices that share directories from the host into the guest system. [Sockets](/documentation/Virtualization/sockets) Configure a device that manages port-based communication with the guest system. [Storage](/documentation/Virtualization/storage) Configure the block-storage devices that represent the disks of the guest system. [Consoles](/documentation/Virtualization/consoles) Configure a device that manages multiport console communication with the guest system. [Clipboard sharing](/documentation/Virtualization/clipboard-sharing) Share the pasteboard between the host and guest system. [USB Devices](/documentation/Virtualization/usb-devices) ### Enumerations [Virtualization enumerations](/documentation/Virtualization/virtualization-enumerations) Control the caching modes, disk synchronization, and macOS auxiliary storage options of VMs. ### Errors [`VZErrorDomain`](/documentation/Virtualization/VZErrorDomain) The error domain for the Virtualization framework. [`VZError`](/documentation/Virtualization/VZError) Errors that you might encounter when configuring or using a VM. ### Reference [Virtualization macros](/documentation/Virtualization/virtualization-macros) --- Copyright © 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)