Trying macOS Monterey on virtual machine

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