M4 Macs Hit a Wall: No macOS VMs Before Ventura 13.4

M4 Macs Face Virtualization Roadblock: Older macOS Versions Are Out of Bounds

Apple’s newly released M4-based Macs have taken the tech world by storm with their incredible performance and efficiency. However, early adopters and developers have uncovered a significant limitation: these machines cannot run virtual machines (VMs) of macOS versions earlier than Ventura 13.4.

This issue, highlighted by security researcher Csaba Fitzl and detailed by Howard Oakley of the Eclectic Light Company, could pose challenges for users relying on older macOS versions in virtualization environments.

What’s the Problem?

When attempting to run a VM of macOS Monterey or earlier on an M4 Mac, users encounter a black screen, with the virtual machine failing to boot entirely. Popular virtualization tools, including UTM, are affected by this issue. According to findings, the limitation arises during the kernel’s early boot process. Despite allocating multiple cores to the VM, Activity Monitor shows only one active virtual core, indicating the kernel cannot initialize additional cores.

This limitation appears unique to M4 Macs. Earlier Apple silicon generations, including the M1, M2, and M3, can run VMs of macOS Monterey (12.0.1) and later—albeit with some restrictions. Notably, no Apple silicon Macs have ever supported running Big Sur in a virtualized environment.

Why It Matters

For developers and IT professionals who rely on older macOS versions in VMs for testing, compatibility, or legacy support, this restriction could complicate workflows. While many users may have moved on to newer macOS releases, certain scenarios still require access to older systems, making this limitation a crucial consideration before upgrading to an M4-powered device.

What Works on M4 Macs?

Currently, the supported macOS versions for virtualization on M4 Macs include:

macOS Ventura 13.4 and later
macOS Sonoma 14
macOS Sequoia 15

These versions run seamlessly in virtualized environments, and macOS Sequoia even introduces a notable enhancement: the ability to sign into iCloud within macOS VMs.

A Fix Seems Unlikely

Addressing this issue would require Apple to release updated IPSW files for older macOS versions, allowing them to support M4-based hardware. However, this would be unprecedented, and experts like Oakley suggest such a fix is unlikely. Apple’s focus has traditionally been on pushing users toward its latest hardware and software ecosystems rather than retroactively supporting older systems.

The Bigger Picture

This limitation is part of a broader trend of virtualization restrictions on Apple silicon Macs. For instance, Apple silicon does not support running App Store apps in VMs. While Apple has improved its virtualization framework—especially with enhancements in macOS Sequoia—certain gaps remain for users requiring robust backward compatibility.

Final Thoughts

If you’re considering upgrading to an M4 Mac and rely on older macOS versions in virtual machines, it’s essential to weigh this limitation against the benefits of Apple’s latest hardware. While the M4 chip delivers unparalleled performance, its inability to support macOS versions before Ventura 13.4 in VMs could be a dealbreaker for specific use cases. For more details on this issue, check out Howard Oakley’s in-depth write-up at the Eclectic Light Company.

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Eric Sandler

Chief Writer at WiFi Planet

Eric Sandler is a veteran US tech writer with over 25 years of experience covering the latest advancements in the world of technology. From groundbreaking innovations to in-depth reviews, Eric has built a reputation for delivering insightful, reliable content. His work spans across a variety of tech topics, including smartphones, gadgets, AI, and more, making him a trusted voice in the industry.