When you distribute your app, your users may be running different macOS versions. Testing on multiple versions helps you catch compatibility issues before your users do.
The easiest way to do this without needing extra hardware is by running a virtual machine with VirtualBuddy.
What is VirtualBuddy?
VirtualBuddy is a free, open-source macOS app that lets you create and manage macOS virtual machines using Apple's Virtualization framework. It supports running macOS Monterey (12) and later, so you can test your app across a wide range of versions.
Requirements
- A Mac with Apple Silicon
- macOS Ventura (13) or later on the host machine
- Enough free disk space for the macOS installer and VM (~30-60 GB per VM)
Setting Up a Virtual Machine
- Download VirtualBuddy from GitHub
- Open VirtualBuddy and create a new virtual machine
- Select the macOS version you want to install — VirtualBuddy will download the restore image for you
- Follow the on-screen setup to complete the macOS installation
You can create multiple VMs for different macOS versions to cover your supported range.
Getting Your App Into the VM
VirtualBuddy supports shared folders between your Mac and the virtual machine. You can use this to quickly copy your .app bundle or .dmg into the VM for testing.
Alternatively, you can drag and drop files directly into the VM window.
Tips
- Test both your oldest supported macOS version and the latest one
- Pay attention to deprecated APIs that may behave differently across versions
- If you use Sparkle for updates, verify that the update flow works correctly on each version