Hypervisor.framework

vmhypervisor

Apple's low-level API, the macOS equivalent of KVM, exposing hardware virtualization to userspace .

documentedApple Hypervisor framework docs ↗

.framework (HVF) is Apple's low-level API for hardware virtualization on macOS, the direct counterpart to Linux's KVM. It lets userspace create and run VMs with their own kernel using the Mac's CPU virtualization. Higher-level tools (Virtualization.framework, QEMU, libkrun, Multipass) build on it. It is the bottom layer of every VM and story on Apple Silicon.

Strengths

Hardware-enforced virtualization on macOS, the KVM equivalent
Foundation for Virtualization.framework, QEMU, libkrun on the Mac
First-party and well-integrated with Apple Silicon

Limitations

macOS only
Low-level, needs a VMM or higher-level framework on top
Hypervisor 0-days and side channels remain the residual risk

Taught in

1. Two models: shared kernel vs. own kernel

Powers

Virtualization.framework QEMU libkrun Multipass

Compare with

KVM Virtualization.framework Windows Hypervisor Platform

Sources

Apple Hypervisor docs