Virtual macOS on M1 series Macs
Which versions of macOS can I run in a virtual machine (VM) on my M1 Mac?
M1 Macs have a different processor from Intel models, and they have changed how virtualization is performed. Intel Macs continue to offer the full range of versions of macOS in several systems, including VMware, Parallels, and VirtualBox.
There are fewer options for the ARM processors in M1 Macs, and they require Monterey to work, as support for virtualization in Big Sur is lacking. Parallels worked with Apple to bring macOS virtualization early, and Parallels Desktop 17 now supports running Monterey in a VM on M1 Macs also running Monterey. Unfortunately, it’s not possible to virtualize
Big Sur because of deep–seated internal engineering issues.
In the meantime, VMware has been catching up, although it hasn’t made running macOS in a VM a priority, and it’s not clear when it will support that. There’s been no word on whether Oracle’s VirtualBox will even be ported to run on Apple silicon Macs. There’s also the promise that an emulator like UTM might eventually be able to run older Intel versions of macOS one day.
For now, the only version of macOS which you can run in a VM hosted on an Apple silicon Mac is Monterey, and for that you’ll need Parallels Desktop running on Monterey.