VirtualBuddy

VirtualBuddy is a Mac virtualization application focused on developers testing applications across macOS releases, including supported beta environments. It can also run selected ARM Linux distributions.

Features

• Create a virtual machine using an installation wizard and a catalog of restore images.
• Install macOS from an Apple-hosted IPSW, a custom URL or an existing local image.
• Install supported ARM Linux distributions from ISO files or download links.
• Configure virtual hardware, networking and shared folders.
• Save and restore supported macOS virtual-machine state.
• Use a guest companion for clipboard and shared-folder integration when the guest system supports it.

Installation and requirements

Download the official DMG and copy the app into Applications, or use brew install --cask virtualbuddy. VirtualBuddy requires an Apple silicon Mac running macOS 13 or later; it is not an Intel-Mac virtualization solution. The current catalog download is version 2.1 build 325, whose official Sparkle feed gives an exact DMG size of 18,013,135 bytes. Virtual disks and OS restore images require substantially more space; allocate memory and storage appropriate to the guest.

The project can virtualize macOS 12 and later, but guest and host compatibility depends on Apple's virtualization and device-support components. Newer macOS betas may require Apple's latest device-support package or Xcode beta. The current README specifically requires VirtualBuddy 2.2 beta 2 or later for macOS Golden Gate beta on a macOS 26 host; do not assume catalog version 2.1 supports that workflow. Apple Developer downloads can require an Apple account. Xcode is not a blanket prerequisite for running every packaged stable guest.

Guest integration and permissions

The current guest companion requires macOS 14 or later for clipboard sharing and automatic shared-folder mounting. The legacy macOS 13 companion only mounts shared folders; macOS 12 lacks guest-app support. Review shared-folder and clipboard access because they connect guest activity to host data. No named Homebrew cask conflict is declared. The checked project documentation does not prescribe blanket Accessibility, Screen Recording or Full Disk Access for ordinary operation.

Accounts, network and license

VirtualBuddy is free and open source under a BSD-style license; paid downloads and sponsorship are optional ways to support the developer. The project does not document a VirtualBuddy account requirement. Network access is needed for catalogs, downloads and networked guest tasks. Once installed, local guests can perform local work without relying on a VirtualBuddy cloud account, subject to the guest software's own requirements. Guest operating-system licenses apply separately.

Practical cautions

Virtual machines are useful test environments but shared folders, clipboard integration and network access can cross isolation boundaries. Avoid connecting sensitive host folders to untrusted guests. Back up important VM files before upgrades and keep sufficient host resources available. Beta guests may be unstable. Check Apple's software license and supported hardware conditions for macOS virtualization rather than treating an available IPSW as permission for every use.

Catalog versions 2.1,325 and 2.1 refer to the same upstream 2.1 release: the update feed identifies build 325. Their notes therefore describe the same release rather than inventing a separate build change. The next distinct catalog release is 2.0. Its exact official tag commit documents a release-build fix: correcting the non-debug installer backend selection and removing a duplicate release-only preview helper. These are source/build changes, not inferred user-facing feature additions.

Sources: Official project and requirements, Official releases, Official update feed, License.