VMPaneDocs › Guests
macOS guests
Apple's restore image, the install, guest tools, snapshots
macOS runs in VMPane on Apple's Virtualization framework, installed from an Apple restore image (IPSW). Apple allows two macOS VMs running at once per Mac.
Creating a macOS VM
In New VM, choose macOS, then the restore image:
- From the catalog: VMPane's list of restore images (today macOS Sequoia 15.6.1), downloaded from Apple and checked against a pinned SHA-256. An interrupted download resumes; a download that does not match is deleted. The row says Downloaded once the image (about 17 GB) is in VMPane's cache, and it is checked again each time a VM is created from it.
- Your own: Choose a restore image (.ipsw)…. VMPane does not check a file you choose; your Mac must support the image's hardware model, or the install stops.
Then the resources (4 processors, 8 GB of memory and an 80 GB disk unless you change them; your Mac keeps at least 4 GB of memory, and the disk only takes the space the system actually uses), the name, shared folders, the clipboard, sound and microphone, and whether AI agents may use the VM (Off unless you choose otherwise). Create starts the VM.
Installing
The first start installs macOS: VMPane needs about 25 GB free on the VM's disk volume, then Apple's installer runs in the VM's window under Installing macOS. You can leave it running; VMPane restarts the VM when it is done. If the install stops part way (a quit, a Mac restart), the next start installs again from the beginning.
The installed system starts at Setup Assistant: set it up as you would a new Mac.
Two at a time
Apple's licence and the Virtualization framework allow two macOS VMs running at once on a Mac. VMPane counts a
macOS VM while its VM app is open, even after the VM shut down. Opening a third (from the app, vmpane or an AI
agent) fails with macOS allows 2 macOS virtual machines running at once on a Mac. Shut one down to start this
one.
Guest tools
The guest tools add the clipboard (text and images both ways; files copied in the VM arrive on your Mac in
~/Downloads/VMPane/<VM>), dragging files into the VM (they land in Desktop › VMPane Drops, with someone
logged in), and, for AI agents, running commands and copying files. VMPane shares them read-only with every macOS VM. In the VM, open
/Volumes/My Shared Files/vmpane-tools in the Finder and double-click VMPane Agent.pkg (it needs macOS 15
or later in the VM). It installs the agent in /Library/Application Support/VMPane/Agent, with a launch daemon
(app.vmpane.agent, logging to /Library/Logs/VMPane/agent.log) and a launch agent for each login.
The display follows the window size without the guest tools.
Shared folders
macOS mounts shared folders itself: each appears in /Volumes/My Shared Files/<name> (a second folder with the
same name gets "Name 2"). If a change to the shared folders does not show in a running VM, restart it.
Snapshots
- A snapshot of a running VM (Take Live Snapshot in the Snapshots sheet, or Take Snapshot in the VM's window) saves its memory too: restoring it brings back the running system. It is marked Contains RAM: anything in memory, passwords and keys too, is in it.
- A snapshot of a stopped VM (Take Snapshot) saves its disks.
- A live snapshot's memory is encrypted with a key of your Mac: restoring one needs the Mac unlocked.
- Settings › General › Keep live snapshots' memory out of Time Machine is on by default.
VMPane never takes a disk-only snapshot of a running macOS VM: the macOS agent cannot freeze its file systems. If the snapshot before an agent's first change cannot be a live one, that change is refused until you stop the VM, take a snapshot yourself, or turn off Snapshot before each agent session.
Display
The VM's display follows its window by default (Settings › Follow the window size); otherwise pick a Resolution. Both change while the VM runs. Input is a Mac keyboard and trackpad.
Limits
- Rosetta is for Linux guests only.
- Changes to memory, processors, sound and the clipboard take effect at the next start.
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