Allow macOS VM to be created from IPSW

M

MichalM.Mac

Bit poster
Thank you so much for implementing macOS virtualization via Apple frarmwork on Apple Silicon!

Currently it seems there is only the option to download the latest macOS version and create VM from that. Would it be possible to add ability to create macOS 12+ VM from IPSW file provided by the user?

Use case. Latest version of 12.2. We would like to test something specifically on 12.0.1 and 12.1.
 
MichalM.Mac said:
Thank you so much for implementing macOS virtualization via Apple frarmwork on Apple Silicon!

Currently it seems there is only the option to download the latest macOS version and create VM from that. Would it be possible to add ability to create macOS 12+ VM from IPSW file provided by the user?

Use case. Latest version of 12.2. We would like to test something specifically on 12.0.1 and 12.1.
Click to expand...
Hey @MichalM.Mac, thanks a lot for your kind words, much appreciated! Yes, it's possible to use a local IPSW file for a new VM. We have updated the KB article recently with instructions on how to do it, please see the "Manual Installation" section at https://kb.parallels.com/en/125561.
 
With Parallels 18 using the command string in terminal:
/Applications/Parallels\ Desktop.app/Contents/MacOS/prl_macvm_create ~/Downloads/UniversalMac_13.0_22A5321d_Restore.ipsw ~/Parallels/macOS\ Ventura.macvm --disksize 268435456000
I get nothing. When I select the Enter key, the terminal throws up a new line prompt: no error, no feedback, nothing.
MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2021), M1 Max, 64 GB RAM/4 TB SSD
 
MarkJ11 said:
With Parallels 18 using the command string in terminal:
/Applications/Parallels\ Desktop.app/Contents/MacOS/prl_macvm_create ~/Downloads/UniversalMac_13.0_22A5321d_Restore.ipsw ~/Parallels/macOS\ Ventura.macvm --disksize 268435456000
I get nothing. When I select the Enter key, the terminal throws up a new line prompt: no error, no feedback, nothing.
MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2021), M1 Max, 64 GB RAM/4 TB SSD
Click to expand...
Hey @MarkJ11, I bet you are running macOS 12 or older, unfortunately, it's not possible to create a macOS 13 VM on an older host macOS version. If I am mistaken, please generate and send us a technical report and we will investigate.
 
hi
I have the similar problem in that I get no response from terminal on the command.
I am running 13.1 Mac OS for both the VM and the computer OS
I thought I follow the instructions but nothing, you enter on the keyboard and no error no file no nothing.
The point of this is to change the size of the drive before its created as apparently that's the only way to do this, at this point.
Running M1 Max 13.1 Mac OS
I would like to thank you in advanced for the help.

/Applications/Parallels\ Desktop.app/Contents/MacOS/prl_macvm_create ~/Downloads/UniversalMac_13.1_22C65_Restore.ipsw /Volumes/T7 Shield/macOS.macvm --disksize 322122547200
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot 2022-12-26 at 9.52.35 am.png
    Screenshot 2022-12-26 at 9.52.35 am.png
    13.1 KB · Views: 11
yes i get the same silence issue when calling prl_macvm_create command.
But note, i'm running Monterey 12.6. can prl_macvm_create run on Monterey? The KB article under manual instructions seems to imply this will only work on Ventura ( https://kb.parallels.com/en/125561 ), i will try upgrading to Ventura and try again. Although i see above post from PeterL42 says he is running 13.1, so will see.
 
JoeM32 said:
yes i get the same silence issue when calling prl_macvm_create command.
But note, i'm running Monterey 12.6. can prl_macvm_create run on Monterey? The KB article under manual instructions seems to imply this will only work on Ventura ( https://kb.parallels.com/en/125561 ), i will try upgrading to Ventura and try again. Although i see above post from PeterL42 says he is running 13.1, so will see.
Click to expand...
actually, to reply to my own question, i was running Parallels from the AppStore. So removed that and tried installing the download of the website for Parallels standard - now the prl_macvm_create command works fine.
 
Anyone else get this resolved?
Running 13.4 and wanted to use the ipsw for Sonoma beta to create a VM.
As above the command just returns to the prompt.
I have confirmed this has worked for another user so the basics are correct.
Also reinstalled app from Parallels website.
 
A__29 said:
Anyone else get this resolved?
Running 13.4 and wanted to use the ipsw for Sonoma beta to create a VM.
As above the command just returns to the prompt.
I have confirmed this has worked for another user so the basics are correct.
Also reinstalled app from Parallels website.
Click to expand...
Hey @A__29, we are currently verifying if it's possible to install a macOS VM with OS version higher than is running on the Mac, e.g. macOS 14 VM on macOS 13.4 host. Please stay tuned for updates.

What command exactly has not worked for you? This command should return you an IPSW image compatible with your Mac:
/Applications/Parallels\ Desktop.app/Contents/MacOS/prl_macvm_create --getipswurl
 
Last edited:
Got it working.
I had the IPSW from the Apple Dev portal so it was just the second command that should create the macvm file.
It just reverted to the command prompt after typing it and pressing enter.

However, someone on Macrumors forums suggested insulating Xcode and the additional Command Line tools. After I did that, the mccvm creation command ran as intended and then started up as a VM in Parallels.
I still cannot sign in with an Apple ID, but I am aware that is a separate issue.
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot 2023-06-15 at 20.16.41.jpg
    Screenshot 2023-06-15 at 20.16.41.jpg
    537.7 KB · Views: 9
Hello,

Thank you for your feedback.

After our tests, we found that it is possible to create a virtual machine macOS 14, if the host OS is at least macOS 13.3.1 and higher. Also in some cases you need to install Xcode 15 beta
 
Last edited:
Here are the steps to install macOS Sonoma 14 to a virtual machine on a Mac with Apple silicon:

1. Make sure that HostOS 13.3.1 or higher
2. Download a macOS 14 image: https://developer.apple.com/service...mages/UniversalMac_14.0_23A5257q_Restore.ipsw
3. Download Device Support for macOS 14 beta package from developer.apple.com.
4. Start the Terminal and execute the command below:
/Applications/Parallels\ Desktop.app/Contents/MacOS/prl_macvm_create <path_to_ipsw> <path_to_macVM>

e.g.
/Applications/Parallels\ Desktop.app/Contents/MacOS/prl_macvm_create /Users/pavel/Downloads/UniversalMac_14.0_23A5257q_Restore.ipsw ~/Parallels/macOS14.macvm

5. Wait for the installation process to complete.
6. Launch the virtual machine by double-clicking from the virtual machine folder
 
Last edited:
I followed steps 1-3 but am still unable to create the virtual machine. When running the command from step 4, it does nothing - no errors, no VM created.
 
I'm just getting around to trying this again.. I followed the instructions in that article, and the step for creating the vm still does nothing - no errors, no messages, no vm created
 
DavidN11 said:
I'm just getting around to trying this again.. I followed the instructions in that article, and the step for creating the vm still does nothing - no errors, no messages, no vm created
Click to expand...
if you have already tried to create a macOS 14 Sonoma virtual machine but had some issues with it, remove or rename the previous file of the macOS Sonoma 14 virtual machine with the .macvm extension in the folder where your virtual machines are stored.
 
Pavel Merkulov said:
remove or rename the previous file of the macOS Sonoma 14 virtual machine with the .macvm extension in the folder where your virtual machines are stored.
Click to expand...
I haven't been able to get to the point where it creates anything at all, so there's nothing to delete or rename.
 
Update in Parallels Desktop 20, path of tool "prl_macvm_app" is now:
/Applications/Parallels\ Desktop.app/Contents/MacOS/Parallels\ Mac\ VM.app/Contents/MacOS/prl_macvm_app
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top