VirtualBuddy is a virtual machine GUI for running macOS 12 and later on Apple Silicon Macs.
The tool addresses the need for developers to test applications across multiple macOS versions and betas without maintaining separate physical hardware. It leverages Apple's Virtualization framework to run full macOS instances on Apple Silicon. The installation process is streamlined through a built-in wizard that can automatically download and install macOS versions from Apple's servers, accept custom IPSW restore image URLs, or use locally downloaded images. The tool also supports booting ARM-based Linux distributions from ISO files or curated collections.
Developers working on Apple Silicon Macs who need to validate their applications against multiple macOS versions, particularly beta releases, are the primary audience. The tool is especially valuable for those testing on macOS versions newer than their host system, though this requires obtaining device support packages from Apple. VirtualBuddy includes practical features for development workflows: clipboard sharing between host and guest, file sharing support, networking, the ability to boot into recovery mode for system-level testing, and state snapshots to save and restore virtual machine configurations. A companion VirtualBuddyGuest application installed within virtual machines handles clipboard synchronization and automatic mounting of shared folders.
Development activity shows consistent engagement with the project's specific use cases. The README includes detailed guidance for handling macOS beta installations, with explicit version requirements and instructions for obtaining necessary device support files from Apple. The project maintains active documentation of known requirements and workarounds, such as specific beta version compatibility notes. The tool is distributed as free and open-source software with optional sponsorship mechanisms available to users who wish to support ongoing development.
