Apple M3 nested virtualization

Finally, macOS 15 introduces support for Nested Virtualization!

THANK YOU, Apple!!!

Now, for developing WSL2 support and building cloud sandboxes with virtualization within virtual machines, a separate computer will no longer be needed!

I’ve been waiting for this since the introduction of Apple Silicon processors, checking for this feature every release, and now the API is finally here!

I’m looking forward to the Parallels Desktop update more than ever!

isNestedVirtualizationEnabled | Apple Developer Documentation

I have similar concerns. I've filed feedbacks to Apple via Product Feedback - Apple on adding nested virtualisation in the Virtualisation and Hypervisor frameworks. For many developers like the OP or me , this is a much needed feature. Just think about running WSL2 or Docker on Windows/Linux VM. From my point of view, this is also a decisive step for Apple's virtualisation frameworks to become mature. Hope Apple can see it and listen to such voices.

Per Parallels, no:

https://kb.parallels.com/en/128914

https://kb.parallels.com/116239

Per Fusion, no:

https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/90364?lang=en_US

Mostly for reference, here is the Apple hypervisor framework:

Hypervisor | Apple Developer Documentation

this basically moves the hypervisors into user space processes.

What Apple documents in the hypervisor framework is what we know about.

I would not suggest buying or using Apple silicon to run Windows x86-64, Linux x86-64, or any other not-AArch64 operating system. It might work within UTM via emulation, but it’s not going to be speedy. Even with a JIT.

If you want or need lots of guests or want or need nested guests akin to IBM VM on z/Architecture or akin to various of the x86-64 VM vendors can offer, use x86-64 hardware with the necessary virtualization support and associated hardware assists.

If you want nested-guest support in some future macOS version, let Apple know: Product Feedback - Apple

I would advise against buying the M3 model of MacBook if you want to use it for nested virtualization. I purchased the M2 model in June of last year and have been trying to run virtual x86 machines on UTM since then. Unfortunately, I have been left quite disappointed due to the MacBook's lack of nested virtualization, which causes it to fall behind in terms of performance and usability. Overall, it feels like a pretty-looking dinosaur of a laptop. As a result, I have decided to sell my MacBook M2.

Does anyone know when Apple supplies the user-level software support for M2 and M3 CPUs v8.4-A level of hardware-assisted for nested virtualization?

Currently, the Virtualization and Hypervisor frameworks that come with macOS do not (yet) support hardware-assisted nested virtualization.

SalmanHKhan wrote:

I would advise against buying the M3 model of MacBook if you want to use it for nested virtualization. I purchased the M2 model in June of last year and have been trying to run virtual x86 machines on UTM since then. Unfortunately, I have been left quite disappointed due to the MacBook's lack of nested virtualization, which causes it to fall behind in terms of performance and usability. Overall, it feels like a pretty-looking dinosaur of a laptop. As a result, I have decided to sell my MacBook M2.

Buying an Apple silicon AArch64 processor for heavy x86-64 requirements is not an optimal purchasing choice.

Microsoft does support Microsoft Windows on AArch64 via Parallels, which avoids emulation for Windows itself.

Running Windows for AArch64 on Parallels may still need to emulate x86-64 apps (within Windows), but that’ll at least be running native code for the Windows system calls and related, where running Windows x86-64 on AArch64 via UTM necessarily emulates everything. Which will involve more overhead.

The state of virtual machines are pretty much in flux with the Apple Silicon. What OS do you want to run?

WSL2 on Windows doesn't work without Nested Virtualization and this is a huge problem for developers using macOS