Graphic acceleration in Apple backend for macOS VM on Apple Silicon Mac

[uprprc777]

Update Nov 08 2023

Maybe partial graphic acceleration support since 4.4.x?

Go to the comment for details.

Describe the issue

I created a macOS 13.6 VM guest with Apple backend on my M1 machine. I had some troubles that some apps failed to launch inside the guest and someone told me that it was due to lack of graphic acceleration. I searched the VM configuration panel of UTM and the official documentation but find nothing talking about this. Therefore I want know if there is graphic acceleration support.

Configuration

• UTM Version: 4.3.5
• macOS Version: 13.6
• Mac Chip (Intel, M1, ...): M1

[mariussteffen]

Same thing over here for me - in some older release notes it sounds like there would be hardware acceleration for GPU - but I‘m not able to even run the parts of apps using 3D stuff.

[uprprc777]

Specifically, I was trying to run some iOS apps with the wrapper PlayCover inside a macOS UTM vm. Previously on UTM 4.3.5, I was never able to run any app. But with new UTM 4.4.4, I can launch those apps inside a macOS vm. Some of them seem to be working properly, while some can run but have broken graphics. The iOS app com.miHoYo.GenshinImpact(4.1.0), can run "perfectly". I don't see any prominent error for now. com.hypergryph.arknights(2.1.21) can barely launch and has completely broken graphics.

[mklemm2]

I have the same question.

[avxkim]

So, no gpu acceleration available for MacOS guest?

[tifasoftware]

There is GPU accerlation, there’s just some sort of issue with the game or the driver.

@uprprc777 Have you tried these games on the host operating system?

[uprprc777]

There is GPU accerlation, there’s just some sort of issue with the game or the driver. @uprprc777 Have you tried these games on the host operating system?

I play them almost everyday on my host OS. They are doing pretty good. No serious issue ever except that they crashed rarely (like 3 times a year) which doesn't count here.

[godbout]

+1. i think. trying to run hashcat in a macOS guest but GPU isn't detected. i see from the docs that GPU passthrough is not available for Windows, but no mention about macOS, so not sure.

[dciancu]

+1 This would enable so many apps that require graphic processor to run inside VMs. Seems possible with Paravirtualized Graphics.

[TK50P]

some can run but have broken graphics.

I think the acceleration is not available in macOS vm as you provided screenshot. there is no transparent or blur effect in virtual machine.

[neesoe]

UTM for MacOS-arm guest to me has been as good as parallels. I am on macbook-air-M1 The graphics is kinda wonky though. Its the same in parallels. So I assume its more than a UTM issue. Would be great if someone could provide the reasons for it, or if the work is pending on this issue. Thanks

https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/4592178a-161d-40d5-ae04-9687c6810cf1

[Lef-F]

Having the same issues as @neesoe on:

• Apple M4 Sequoia 15.4.1 (24E263)
• UTM Version: 4.6.5 (108)

Same issue on Parallels Desktop on the same host/guest machine config.