Linked clone unavailable for MacOS guests (and undocumented)

I want to set up linked clones for MacOS guests for software testing, but it seems the option is only displayed for Windows guests?

This limitation is not documented on https://kb.parallels.com/128867 or https://kb.parallels.com/122669

 

You've hit on one of the key limitations in macOS virtualization for testing. The short answer is that the "Linked Clone" feature is often unavailable for macOS guests in VMware Fusion, and it's also limited in some other tools. Here's why and what you can use instead.

The Core Issue: Why the Option is Missing
The reason this feature is limited usually comes down to one of two things:

• Deprecated Support: VMware has officially ended active development and support for macOS virtual machines (VMs) as guests. Starting with Fusion 13, support for new macOS versions has been deprecated. As a result, they likely restrict advanced features like linked clones for this specific OS.
  
  
• Licensing Constraints: Apple's End-User License Agreement (EULA) also severely restricts virtualization of macOS, typically only legal on Apple hardware. This creates a unique legal landscape that VMware and other vendors must navigate, prioritizing features for more widely supported OS types. This results in the "Mac Option Not Available" message you're encountering.
  

The Workaround for Mac Virtualization
For software testing on macOS, the simplest workaround is to use a Full Clone instead of a Linked Clone.

Unlike a linked clone, which shares virtual disks with the original and saves disk space, a full clone creates an entirely independent copy. While it takes longer to create and uses more disk space, it's a perfectly valid solution for creating clean, isolated test environments on your M1/M2 MacBook.

How to Create a Clone (Regardless of Type)
If your virtualization software supports full cloning for a macOS VM, here's how to do it:

1. Open your virtualization software and shut down the source VM.
   
   
2. Right-click the VM name in the inventory.
   
   
3. Navigate to Manage > Clone... (or similar wording).
   
   
4. The wizard will then ask you to choose the clone type. If a "Linked Clone" is not offered as an option, select "Full Clone" (which might be called "Full Copy" or just be the default "Clone").
   

Alternative: The Parallels Advantage
If you're open to trying different software, Parallels Desktop provides more robust support for macOS as a guest, including the linked clone feature you're looking for.

Parallels Desktop gives you a dedicated "New Linked Clone" option directly from the File menu (provided the original VM is shut down). This is the most straightforward way to get the specific feature you need.