macOS

Trying macOS Monterey on virtual machine

Ng Yik Phang

— 2 min read
Software Update screen offering macOS Monterey Beta

Host machine is macOS 11.4 and the latest and tested software versions as of the time of writing:

  • Parallels Desktop version 16.5.0 (49183)
  • VMware Fusion version 12.1.2 (17964953)

Parallels and VMware don't know how to handle the new Install macOS 12 Beta.app, workaround is to use createinstallmedia to a spare USB disk and install from there:

$ sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ 12\ Beta.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/Untitled/ --downloadassets

Known issues on Parallels:

  • Once you reach the desktop on first boot, automatic login must be enabled to avoid login screen crash on reboot
  • Physical keyboard input may fail to work, use the Accessibility Keyboard if this happens

Parallels Tools installs fine and also fixes the above 2 issues (very nice). Clipboard sync, drag-and-drop files work too!

macOS Monterey on Parallels

Known issues on VMware:

  • No network connection
  • Random kernel panics, it seems to occur on physical keyboard input, so maybe use the Accessibility Keyboard
  • Once you reach the desktop on first boot, automatic login must be enabled to avoid login screen crash on reboot

There was a system crash when VMware Tools finishes installing, however force restarting and allowing the system extension afterwards worked fine. Clipboard sync, drag-and-drop files work. Sadly it does not fix the above 3 issues.

macOS Monterey on VMware, before it inevitably crashes
You do not want to have a lock screen failing on a real production machine

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