VirtualBox has long stood as a core pillar of desktop virtualization. Trusted by developers, IT professionals, and hobbyists alike, it has provided a fast and user-friendly way to spin up multiple operating systems side-by-side, all at little or no cost. Historically, one of VirtualBox’s greatest strengths was its platform independence: with builds available for Windows, Linux, and macOS, it became the Swiss Army knife for software testing, security research, legacy application support, and more. But Apple’s groundbreaking transition from Intel x86 processors to its ARM-based Apple silicon chips in the Mac lineup threatened to unravel this tradition. For years, VirtualBox support on modern Macs all but vanished—until now.
The Return of VirtualBox: Apple Silicon Support Arrives
With the recent launch of VirtualBox for Apple silicon Macs, a wave of cautious optimism has swept through the Mac user community. For those hesitant to pay for alternatives like Parallels Desktop, or who simply appreciated VirtualBox’s feature set and philosophy, this release answers longstanding requests. However, as is often the case with major architectural transitions, the arrival of Apple silicon support doesn’t mean instant parity with x86-based experiences.As of VirtualBox version 7.1.8 and later, official support for Apple silicon is labeled as “technology preview” or “early access.” That means it should be considered functional for light experimentation and development, rather than as a seamless drop-in replacement for your reliable Intel Mac workflow. Let’s unpack what works, what doesn’t, and what this new chapter means for virtualization on Macs.
Installing VirtualBox on macOS Apple Silicon: A New Simplicity
Getting VirtualBox running on an M1 or M2 Mac is as straightforward as any Mac app install, at least in terms of process. You head to the official VirtualBox download page, grab the latest disk image tailored for “Apple silicon hosts,” then launch the VirtualBox.pkg installer. From there, standard macOS installation prompts walk you through completion. Afterward, VirtualBox appears like any other application in your launcher, and the familiar VirtualBox Manager interface greets you at launch.This surface-level familiarity masks the complexity beneath. With Apple silicon, OS-level changes—particularly relating to security and virtualization frameworks—necessitated a thorough ground-up reworking of large sections of VirtualBox code. The team has leveraged Apple’s own virtualization API where possible. While this means tighter system integration, it also means certain features available on x86 builds are currently absent or have notable caveats on ARM-based Macs.
What Operating Systems Run (and Don’t) on VirtualBox for Apple Silicon
Windows on ARM: Hopes Dashed, for Now
A primary motivation for running virtual machines on Macs has always been the ability to run Windows. However, for years now, the desktop version of Windows has been limited to x86 architecture. With Windows 11, Microsoft improved support for ARM-based PCs, fueling hopes that Windows 11 for ARM might boot successfully in a virtual machine on Apple silicon. Many users, including veteran testers, have tried—and failed—to cross this threshold.Despite rigorous attempts—creating new VMs, allocating sufficient RAM, or tweaking storage settings—the reality is clear: running Windows 11 for ARM using VirtualBox on Apple silicon simply does not work as of this writing. Testers reliably hit a critical error at boot, regardless of configuration choices. The lack of any “Windows 11” preset in the guest OS menu should be an early flag, but even advanced users seeking to experiment with manual type/version choices report the same failure.
The VirtualBox community forums and issue trackers mirror this frustration: while the groundwork for ARM virtualization is in place, official Windows guest support on Apple silicon remains absent. Until Oracle or Microsoft provide targeted fixes or integration, those needing rock-solid Windows VMs on modern Macs must turn to paid solutions or remote cloud-hosted desktops like Windows 365.
Linux Distributions: Where VirtualBox Shines
While Windows support is notably missing, open-source operating systems—particularly Linux—paint a brighter picture. Testing with popular distros such as Fedora demonstrates that VirtualBox for Apple silicon can reliably boot and run full desktop environments. The process is straightforward: select the correct “Type” and “Version” (matching your chosen ARM64 Linux distro) in the VM creation menu, set sensible resource amounts, and boot.Most modern ARM-compatible Linux distros work out of the box. Fedora, Ubuntu, and Debian all receive reports of successful installs, with stable desktop experiences and workable performance. For developers seeking a playground environment, or those who need to quickly validate a build script or test a server configuration, this new build of VirtualBox is fit for purpose.
Notably, VirtualBox Guest Additions—those small packages that improve integration between host and guest OS—install smoothly for supported ARM distros. This means clipboard sharing, basic folder sync, and seamless mouse pointer transition are all available. More sophisticated acceleration or device passthrough features, however, may be absent or flaky.
BSDs and Exotic Operating Systems: Early Days
The status for more niche guest operating systems is mixed. While some builds of OpenBSD, FreeBSD, or Haiku for ARM64 architectures technically boot, hardware support and user experience can be quite limited. Many projects have not yet optimized for Apple’s unique hardware or the subtleties of ARM-based virtualization platforms. For such edge scenarios, success is likely a matter of trial and error, and early-adopter patience is a must.Performance and Integration: How Does It Stack Up?
Lightweight and Responsive—With Caveats
Users coming from x86 Mac or Windows hosts will notice some differences. The newer Apple silicon chips are extremely capable: even entry-level M1 models offer impressive multi-core performance and efficient power usage. However, much of VirtualBox’s low-level emulation and device support was built with Intel/AMD hardware in mind. The current Apple silicon releases simply do not yet match the feature-completeness or blinding speed of their x86 forebears.Simple Linux desktop VMs run acceptably, with window responsiveness, application launching, and network throughput all hitting usable levels. For casual development, educational use, or basic tinkering, this is a win. Disk and graphics performance, however, remain a step behind. More demanding workflows—such as compiling large codebases, processing video, or high-frequency network use—will expose the limitations of early ARM virtualization.
Guest Additions and Host-Guest Bridge
The installation of VirtualBox Guest Additions for Linux ARM guests works and unlocks key features such as:- Clipboard integration
- Seamless pointer capture/release
- Basic host folder sharing
Host System Impact
One strength of Apple’s ARM chips is energy efficiency, and that translates to virtual machine workloads as well. Unlike their Intel predecessors, running VMs under light load won’t immediately spike fan noise or drain battery life. However, keeping multiple VMs open or running intensive server tasks will still tax system resources, impacting responsiveness for host macOS apps.Making the Most of VirtualBox on Apple Silicon
For Developers and Testers
Developers curious about cross-platform compatibility, or who need quick-access isolated test beds, will find VirtualBox for Apple silicon a promising development. The ability to spin up Linux environments without leaving macOS (or paying for premium software) is a tangible win. As more Linux distributions release ARM-optimized images and as VirtualBox refines its integrations, this workflow will only improve.Education and Security Research
For classrooms, labs, or security sandboxes, being able to run a full Linux desktop or server VM at zero cost is invaluable. Coupled with guest additions, environments remain easy to manage and isolated from the host. However, for any scenario where full reproducibility with Windows guest systems is essential, alternative platforms must be considered.Not yet for Mac Power Users
If your primary use case involves running Windows-specific applications, testing with legacy software, or robust cross-architecture integration, VirtualBox’s ARM support is not ready for prime time. The absence of Windows-on-ARM guest support—and the broader lack of x86 translation—remains the largest obstacle. Dual-booting, paid solutions, or cloud-hosted Windows desktops like Windows 365 still set the pace for these needs.Comparing Alternatives: Parallels Desktop, VMware Fusion, and Others
VirtualBox’s real competition on Apple silicon is not so much technical as it is philosophical and economic. Parallels Desktop remains the leader for seamless Windows (and even some Linux) experiences on M1, M2, and newer Apple chips. It supports Windows 11 on ARM, with responsive hardware integration and regular updates. However, it comes at a recurring cost, and some features are locked behind the Pro or Business plans.VMware Fusion has also released “Tech Preview” builds for Apple silicon, but as with VirtualBox, support remains somewhat experimental and focused on Linux. Like VirtualBox, VMware Fusion’s free offerings are popular in academia and development, but their ARM releases are not yet as mature as their x86 equivalents.
UTM, another virtualization option, leverages Apple’s Virtualization Framework, and boasts ARM guest support and a more user-friendly interface. However, performance and compatibility can vary widely, especially for complex Windows or graphics-heavy workloads.
Rounding out the field are cloud-based options—Windows 365 and Amazon WorkSpaces among them—which let Mac users access a full Windows desktop hosted in the cloud. While network speed and latency become limiting factors, these services provide consistent, always-on environments, and can serve as lifelines while native solutions evolve.
Notable Strengths and Major Limitations
Strengths
- Free and open-source: VirtualBox remains fully cost-free with a strong developer and user community.
- Straightforward installation: Familiar workflow for users upgrading from Intel Macs.
- Decent Linux support: Fedora, Ubuntu, and similar ARM-compatible distros run reliably.
- Basic integration works: Guest Additions unlock clipboard, folder sharing, and more.
Limitations
- No Windows 11 guest support: A critical gap for business and legacy app users.
- Incomplete feature parity: Many advanced VM and device emulation features from x86 releases are missing.
- Stability concerns: Some users note periodic crashes or degraded performance with heavy multitasking.
- Documentation lag: Official support docs and community forums often lag behind cutting-edge releases, complicating troubleshooting.
Security and Update Considerations
Virtualization platforms, by their nature, operate close to a system’s hardware and can expose users to unique security risks. VirtualBox’s Apple silicon support is relatively new, and code paths may not be as well-vetted as their mature x86 siblings. Users are strongly encouraged to keep both macOS and VirtualBox itself updated to the latest available versions, monitor security advisories from both Oracle and the Apple developer ecosystem, and avoid running untrusted code within VMs until more robust isolation measures are proven.The Road Ahead: Future Prospects and Community Momentum
Oracle’s public commitment to Apple silicon support in VirtualBox is encouraging, but timelines for improved guest OS support—particularly for Windows—remain uncertain. ARM Windows licensing and performance issues linger, with Microsoft reticent to officially support Windows on non-OEM ARM Mac platforms.That said, the open-source community has a track record of overcoming such gaps, and as adoption of Apple silicon grows, pressure to improve ARM virtualization will only build. User-contributed patches, unofficial guides, and expanding distro support suggest that the VirtualBox experience will likely mature quickly. Still, until both Oracle and Microsoft commit to resolving integration and licensing roadblocks, VirtualBox’s ARM port should be seen as a solution for hobbyists, tinkerers, and developers rather than an all-purpose virtualization suite.
Cloud-First Future or Desktop Resurgence?
It’s worth noting an industry-wide trend: virtualization, once a desktop-centric affair, is increasingly moving to the cloud. With Windows 365 and similar offerings, Mac users can instantly provision full Windows environments without worrying about compatibility or performance bottlenecks. For daily business tasks or occasional legacy app needs, such options can be more practical and cost-effective than fighting with experimental VM builds.Still, nothing beats the speed and privacy of a local VM for many professional and personal use cases. As Apple silicon machines proliferate and as ARM takes a larger share of the laptop/desktop market, demand for reliable, secure, and feature-rich desktop virtualization will only grow.
Practical Tips: Getting Started (and Knowing the Limits)
For users interested in experimenting, here’s what to expect (and avoid) with VirtualBox today:- Start with Linux: Pick an officially supported ARM64 Linux distribution for the best chance of success.
- Check the docs: Keep an eye on the official VirtualBox changelogs and compatibility lists—they’re updated frequently as new features and fixes land.
- Keep expectations realistic: Don’t expect to run Windows or obscure legacy operating systems reliably just yet.
- Participate in forums: If you encounter bugs, performance issues, or questions, bring them up on the VirtualBox user forums—early feedback is critical for improvement.
- Update often: Both macOS and VirtualBox push out vital compatibility and security fixes regularly.
Final Analysis: A Milestone, Not a Maturity
VirtualBox’s debut on Apple silicon marks a significant achievement for both open-source software and the broader Mac ecosystem. For the first time since Apple’s transition to ARM, users once reliant on VirtualBox have a compelling, cost-free way to restore at least some of their lost virtualization workflows. Yet this milestone is tempered by clear and present limitations: Windows guest support is nonexistent, feature parity with x86 host systems is a work in progress, and production-grade stability remains in the future.For now, VirtualBox’s ARM build is best viewed as a promising preview—a tool for experimentation, learning, and light development, but not yet a viable replacement for heavier, Windows-centric workflows. As the software continues to mature, as ARM virtualization tools improve, and as community contributions pile up, Mac users can hope for a day when cross-platform parity is once again a reality. Until then, the free ride comes with a few bumps in the road—and a healthy dose of patience required.
Source: How-To Geek Virtualbox Now Runs on Apple Silicon, Here's What Works (and What Doesn't)
