macOS virtual machine
Run macOS in a virtual machine on your Apple Silicon Mac
Kyvenza creates a second copy of macOS in a window on Apple’s own Virtualization framework. It downloads the restore image for you, installs it natively on M1 to M5, and lets you snapshot or clone the result.
Where a macOS VM helps
Try unknown software away from your Mac
Install a risky app, a beta tool, or a package manager in the guest instead of your daily account. Your documents, keys, and browser profile stay out of it.
A clean macOS for testing and support
Reproduce a bug or an install problem on a fresh system. Build one clean guest, then clone it for each test and delete the clone afterwards.
A separate Mac for automation
Give a build script, a macOS-only tool, or an AI agent its own machine with its own disk, so a mistake costs you a clone rather than your setup.
A macOS VM in Kyvenza vs a separate user account on your Mac
A second user account is free and instant, but it shares the machine. A macOS VM costs disk space and memory, and in return gives you a separate system you can reset.
| Feature | Kyvenza | Separate user account |
|---|---|---|
| Separation from your files | A separate system with its own disk | Same disk, same system |
| Reset to a clean state | Restore a snapshot or delete a clone | Delete the account and rebuild it |
| System-level changes | Contained in the guest | Affect the whole Mac |
| Cost | Disk space and memory while running | Almost nothing |
| Best use | Installers, betas, and anything you may want to undo | Light, low-risk separation |
What Kyvenza supports today
A short, honest list — so you know what to expect before you download.
Supported today
- Apple Silicon Macs (M1, M2, M3, M4, M5)
- Windows 11 on ARM (bring your own Microsoft image and licence)
- Ubuntu ARM (LTS releases)
- Debian ARM
- Fedora ARM
- macOS 14 Sonoma or later as host
- Native Apple Virtualization framework backend
- macOS guests installed from the latest supported IPSW restore image
Not supported yet
- GPU / 3D acceleration in Windows guests
- USB passthrough and microphone input in Windows guests
- x86 / Intel guest operating systems
- Nested virtualization
- GPU passthrough
We list what we cannot deliver today so you can plan accordingly.
How it works
Install Kyvenza and open the wizard
Download the signed .dmg, move Kyvenza into /Applications, and click New VM. You need an Apple Silicon Mac running macOS 14 Sonoma or later and plenty of free disk.
Choose macOS and let it download
Pick macOS as the guest type. Kyvenza downloads the latest supported restore image (an IPSW of roughly 15 GB) and installs it. Plan on 60 GB or more of disk for a guest you actually use.
Finish setup, then snapshot or clone
Complete Setup Assistant in the guest with a local account, update it, and shut it down. Snapshot that clean state or clone it, and use the copy for your testing.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Apple’s Virtualization framework runs macOS guests natively on M1 to M5 Macs, and Kyvenza is a Mac app on top of it. The guest runs at close to native speed because nothing is emulated.
Add a second macOS to your Mac
Download Kyvenza and create a macOS VM you can snapshot, clone, and throw away. Free for 7 days with every feature unlocked, then $49 once.
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