Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

This page answers the most common questions about CiderStack, licensing, virtualization limits, and supported workflows.

If you don’t see your question here, feel free to reach out.

General

What is CiderStack?

CiderStack is a native macOS virtualization platform for Apple Silicon Macs.

It allows you to create, snapshot, clone, migrate, and orchestrate macOS virtual machines — locally or across multiple Macs — using Apple’s official virtualization framework.

Is CiderStack a cloud service?

No.

CiderStack runs entirely on your hardware.

There is:

• No SaaS backend
• No hosted controller
• No external scheduler
• No required account login

Your Macs communicate directly with each other.

Does CiderStack rent Macs?

No.

CiderStack does not provide hosted or rented Macs.

It is software designed to run on machines you already own.

Virtualization

How does macOS virtualization work?

CiderStack uses Apple’s Virtualization.framework, the same technology Apple uses internally for macOS virtualization.

No kernel extensions or emulation layers are used.

Why can I only run two VMs per Mac?

This is an Apple platform limitation.

Apple enforces a maximum of two concurrently running macOS virtual machines per physical Mac.

This restriction comes from the operating system and cannot be bypassed by any software.

CiderStack automatically enforces this limit.

Can I create more than two VMs?

Yes.

You may:

• Create unlimited VMs
• Store unlimited VMs
• Snapshot unlimited VMs

Only the number of running VMs is limited.

Does more RAM or CPU increase the limit?

No.

The limit is fixed and unrelated to hardware capacity.

Snapshots & Clones

How fast are snapshots?

Snapshots are nearly instant.

They use APFS copy-on-write technology and do not copy the entire disk.

Do snapshots consume disk space?

Only when data changes.

Unmodified blocks are shared between snapshots.

Can I create clones from snapshots?

Yes.

Instant clones can be created from any snapshot and are available in seconds.

Are clones independent VMs?

Yes.

Once created, clones behave exactly like normal VMs.

Images & Storage

What is an IPSW?

An IPSW is Apple’s official macOS restore image.

CiderStack uses only unmodified Apple IPSWs.

Why does CiderStack use OCI images?

OCI registries provide:

• Versioned images
• Deduplication
• Caching
• Secure distribution

CiderStack uses OCI only for image transport — not for runtime execution.

Can I use my own registry?

Yes.

Any OCI-compatible registry is supported.

Where are VM files stored?

By default, VMs are stored in a CiderStack-managed directory.

Storage paths can be customized in settings.

Networking

Do VMs have internet access?

Yes.

All VMs use NAT networking by default and can access the internet automatically.

Can VMs be accessed from my LAN?

By default, VMs are not directly reachable from the LAN.

They are NATed behind the host Mac.

Is bridged networking supported?

macOS restricts bridged virtualization networking.

Availability depends on OS version and entitlements.

CiderStack defaults to NAT for reliability.

Licensing

Is CiderStack subscription-based?

No.

CiderStack uses one-time licenses per major version.

There are no recurring monthly fees.

Can I use CiderStack offline?

Yes.

Licenses are stored locally and do not require continuous verification.

What happens if I reinstall macOS?

You can reactivate your license on the same machine.

Do licenses expire?

No.

Licenses are valid for all v1.x releases.

Compatibility

Which Macs are supported?

• Apple Silicon Macs only
• macOS 13 or newer

Intel Macs are not supported due to Apple platform limitations.

Is nested virtualization supported?

macOS does not support nested virtualization.

This is an Apple restriction.

Can I run Docker inside a macOS VM?

No. Docker Desktop relies on nested virtualization, which macOS does not support. This is an Apple platform limitation. For container workloads, use the host Mac or a non-macOS environment.

How do I install or update Xcode inside a VM?

Install and update Xcode by downloading from the Apple Developer site (the Mac App Store is not supported in VMs). Use xcode-select and the Xcode app as on a physical Mac. For repeatable CI builds, create a snapshot or template after installing the Xcode version you need so you can restore or clone from that state.

Can I run macOS beta in a VM?

Yes. You can install macOS beta (or developer preview) IPSWs into a VM to test new OS versions without affecting your host. Use snapshots before upgrading so you can roll back instantly if needed. Beta builds can have quirks; treat them as best-effort for compatibility.

Apps & Apple services in VMs

Is the App Store supported in VMs?

No. The Mac App Store is not supported inside CiderStack VMs. This is a platform limitation. Install apps by other means: direct download, Developer site (e.g. Xcode), enterprise/MDM distribution, or command-line tools.

Do other Apple services work in a VM?

Yes. Other Apple services such as iCloud (sign-in, sync, Find My), iMessage, FaceTime, and Apple ID–based developer services work in VMs. Only the App Store is unsupported.

Support

Is support included?

Community support is available for all users.

Where can I report bugs or request features?

• GitHub issues
• Community forums

Final note

CiderStack was built to make macOS virtualization:

• Predictable
• Local
• Scalable
• Understandable

If something feels unclear, that’s a documentation problem — not a user problem.

We’re always improving.