| UTM | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developers | Turing Software, LLC[1] |
| Stable release | |
| Operating system | macOS,iOS,visionOS |
| Platform | Apple–Intel architecture,Apple silicon |
| License | Apache License[3] |
| Website | getutm |
| Repository | |
UTM is anopen-sourcevirtual machine application formacOS,iOS, andvisionOS, based primarily on theQEMU emulator project.
UTM functions as either avirtualizer or anemulator. As a virtualizer, UTM runs operating systems that have an underlyingarchitecture compatible with the physical device by directly running the virtual machine code on the host CPU. As an emulator, UTM can run operating systems with a different underlying architecture by runningjust-in-time compilation on the guest code. UTM can integrate with the built-inhypervisor on macOS for virtualization, and it also supports QEMU as a back-end for both virtualization and emulation. QEMU allows UTM to emulate a wide variety of operating systems. When connected to Apple's built-in hypervisor, UTM can use macOS'sRosetta software to efficiently runx86-64 code onARM processors.[4][5]
UTM runs on bothIntel andApple silicon processors.[6] The UTM mobile app only supports emulation. UTM does not supportGPU virtualization, so it cannot useAPIs forhardware acceleration, such asDirectX andOpenGL.[7]
UTM can be freely downloaded fromGitHub, although there is a paid version on theMac App Store that receives automatic updates.[8][9]
UTM SE is a version of UTM that is modified for theiOS App Store. The original version of UTM can still be installed on iOS throughsideloading or an unofficial app store, but it cannot be distributed through the App Store due to Apple's restriction againstjust-in-time compilation.[4] UTM SE therefore uses QEMU's TCGinterpreter instead, avoiding the restriction. SE stands for "slow edition", since the lack of compilation drastically reduces performance.[10]
Released in 2024, UTM SE was the first PC emulator on the iOS App Store.[10] Prior to its release, the App Store had already allowedconsole emulators such asDelta.[4]
UTM SE supports theiPhone,iPad, andApple Vision Pro.[10]
Macworld described UTM as "a good, low-cost option that will particularly appeal to developers and users who have a little more technical knowledge", praising its versatility in supporting both virtualization and emulation while criticizing its complex interface.[6]PCMag described UTM as sluggish when emulating Intel-based systems, and stated that its lack of support forDirectX graphics acceleration makes it a poor choice for gaming.[8]