VirtualBox on Apple Silicon: Does It Run Natively?

Yes, VirtualBox now runs on Apple Silicon Macs, but only in beta form and with significant limitations. As of this writing, Oracle provides a Developer Preview of VirtualBox 7.x that supports macOS 11 and later on Apple Silicon, yet it lacks native ARM64 guest support for most operating systems and relies on x86 emulation for many workloads.

Background: Why Apple Silicon Changed Everything

When Apple transitioned from Intel to its own M1, M2, and M3 chips, it abandoned the x86 architecture that VirtualBox and other hypervisors had been built around for decades. Apple Silicon uses the ARM64 instruction set, which means software written for Intel Macs cannot run directly. For virtualization, this is a double problem: the hypervisor itself must be rewritten for ARM, and each guest operating system must also support ARM64 or be emulated at the CPU level.

Oracle initially focused on Intel Macs, and for years there was no official VirtualBox for Apple Silicon. Users were forced to use alternatives like UTM (which leverages Apple’s Virtualization framework) or Parallels Desktop, which added Apple Silicon support relatively quickly. The community pressure grew, and Oracle eventually released a Developer Preview in 2023, but it remains a work in progress.

How the Developer Preview Works

The current VirtualBox Developer Preview for Apple Silicon is a separate download from the stable Intel version. It installs a kernel extension (or a system extension on newer macOS versions) that allows VirtualBox to create virtual machines. The preview supports both ARM64 and x86 guests, but with a crucial caveat:

• ARM64 guests (like aarch64 Linux or Windows 11 on ARM) run natively at near-native speed, because the CPU instructions match the host.
• x86 guests (like standard Windows 10 or most Linux distributions) are emulated, meaning each x86 instruction is translated to ARM instructions on the fly. This is much slower than native virtualization.

For x86 emulation, VirtualBox uses its own dynamic binary translator. It works for basic tasks, but you should not expect to run demanding 3D games or heavy software. The preview also lacks support for USB 3.0, some networking features, and the seamless window integration that the Intel version offers.

How to Install the Developer Preview

If you want to try it, follow these steps:

1. Go to the official VirtualBox website and look for the “Developer Preview” or “Apple Silicon” download links. Do not download from third-party sites.
2. Download the .dmg file for macOS on Apple Silicon.
3. Open the .dmg and run the installer. You will likely need to allow the installation in System Settings > Privacy & Security, because the system extension is not yet fully notarized.
4. Reboot your Mac if prompted.
5. Launch VirtualBox and create a new virtual machine. You will need to select the correct OS type; if you want to run an ARM64 Linux, choose the appropriate version.

Note that the Developer Preview is not intended for production use. It can crash, and some features are incomplete. Always back up your data before installing any beta software.

Choosing the Right Guest OS

Your choice of guest operating system dramatically affects performance and usability:

• ARM64 Linux (e.g., Ubuntu Server ARM, Debian ARM): Best performance. You can install a desktop environment, but many ARM Linux images are server-oriented.
• Windows 11 on ARM: Runs natively, but Microsoft only licenses it for certain hardware configurations, and you may need to join the Windows Insider Program to get an ISO. Performance is decent for office work, but compatibility with x86 Windows apps is spotty.
• x86 Linux: Emulated, so it will be slow. It is usable for testing scripts or lightweight tasks, but not for a daily driver.
• macOS guests: Not supported by VirtualBox on any platform due to Apple’s licensing restrictions.

Common Problems and Workarounds

Users report several recurring issues with the Apple Silicon preview:

• Virtual machine fails to start: Often due to missing system extension permissions. Reinstall the extension and ensure it is enabled in System Settings.
• No network connection: The preview may not include the NAT networking driver by default. Try switching the adapter to “Host-only” or “Internal network” as a workaround.
• Slow x86 performance: This is inherent to emulation. Reduce the number of CPU cores assigned to the VM and increase RAM if possible, but do not expect miracles.
• USB devices not recognized: USB 2.0/3.0 support is incomplete. Use a shared folder instead of a USB drive to transfer files.

Comparison with Other Apple Silicon Hypervisors

VirtualBox is not the only option. Here is how it stacks up against the main alternatives:

• UTM: Free and open-source, uses Apple’s Virtualization framework. It supports both ARM64 and x86 emulation (via QEMU). Generally more polished for Apple Silicon than VirtualBox’s preview.
• Parallels Desktop: Commercial and expensive, but offers the best performance and integration for Windows on ARM, including a one-click Windows 11 setup.
• VMware Fusion: Now free for personal use, and version 13+ supports Apple Silicon with native ARM64 guests.

VirtualBox’s main advantage is that it is free and open-source, but its Apple Silicon support is still maturing. If you need a reliable daily driver, consider UTM or VMware Fusion. If you only run a few lightweight VMs, the preview might suffice.

Cost and Licensing

VirtualBox itself is free under the GPLv2 license. The Developer Preview is also free to download. However, you must ensure that any guest operating system you install is properly licensed. Windows and macOS have strict licensing terms; Linux distributions are generally free. There is no cost to use VirtualBox, but you may need to pay for a Windows license if you do not already have one.

Safety and Stability Considerations

Because the Developer Preview is beta software, it may contain bugs that can cause data loss or system instability. Here are safety tips:

• Never run the preview on a machine with irreplaceable data without a full backup.
• Use snapshots before making major changes to a VM.
• Keep your macOS version up to date, as the preview may rely on newer APIs.
• Do not use the preview for sensitive work, as it has not been security-audited to the same standard as stable releases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I run Windows 10 on VirtualBox on Apple Silicon? Yes, but only via x86 emulation, which is very slow. Windows 11 on ARM runs natively, but you need to obtain an ARM64 ISO and accept the licensing restrictions.

Is there a stable version of VirtualBox for Apple Silicon? No. The Developer Preview is the only version that supports Apple Silicon as of now. Oracle has not announced a stable release date.

Why is x86 emulation so slow? Emulation translates every instruction from x86 to ARM, which adds significant overhead. Native virtualization (ARM64 guest on ARM64 host) runs at near-native speed.

Can I use VirtualBox to run macOS on Apple Silicon? No. Apple’s license prohibits running macOS on non-Apple hardware, and VirtualBox does not support macOS guests on any platform.

Which is better for Apple Silicon: VirtualBox or UTM? For most users, UTM is more polished and supports a wider range of guest OSes. VirtualBox’s preview is worth trying if you already use VirtualBox elsewhere, but it is not yet a full replacement.

The Future of VirtualBox on Apple Silicon

Oracle continues to develop the preview, and each update adds more features and fixes bugs. The community is optimistic that a stable release will arrive eventually, but there is no official timeline. Until then, treat the preview as a tool for experimentation, not production. If you need reliable virtualization on Apple Silicon today, look to the alternatives.

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