Video Demos macOS Catalina Running on iPad Pro via x86 Emulation - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Video Demos macOS Catalina Running on iPad Pro via x86 Emulation

A video demonstrating macOS Catalina running on a current 2020 iPad Pro has been shared on YouTube, giving us a look at an interesting hack that has a Mac OS up and working on one of Apple's iPads.


There's limited information about how the process of getting macOS Catalina on an iPad Pro works, but it uses x86 emulation and was done through the UTM software that allows virtual machines to run on iOS.

Booting up into macOS Catalina took a full 20 minutes, though the original creator says that it has since been optimized and now takes approximately 5 to 7 minutes. The video is over 37 minutes long due to how slow macOS Catalina is on the iPad, and it is not a functional or usable installation at this time, but it's interesting to see the macOS operating system on an ‌iPad Pro‌.

Popular Stories

macOS 27 on MacBook Pro

macOS 27 Will Mark the End of an Era

Saturday April 18, 2026 6:45 am PDT by
During its Platforms State of the Union segment at WWDC 2025, Apple revealed that macOS 26 Tahoe is the final major macOS version for Intel-based Macs. The upcoming macOS 27 release will be compatible with Apple silicon Macs only, meaning that you will need a Mac with an M-series chip or a MacBook Neo with an A18 Pro chip in order to install the software update. macOS 27 should be available...
Aston Martin CarPlay Ultra Screen

Apple Says CarPlay Ultra is Coming to These Vehicle Brands

Saturday April 18, 2026 5:59 am PDT by
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly a year later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon. In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. CarPlay Ultra...
Tim Cook Rainbow

Apple CEO Tim Cook Stepping Down, John Ternus Taking Over

Monday April 20, 2026 1:33 pm PDT by
Apple CEO Tim Cook is stepping down as Apple's chief executive officer, and hardware engineering chief John Ternus is set to take over, Apple announced today. Cook will continue on as Apple CEO through the summer, with Ternus set to join Apple's Board of Directors and take over as CEO on September 1, 2026. Cook is going to transition to executive chairman, and he will "assist with certain...

Top Rated Comments

gaximus Avatar
69 months ago
How far along in the process do you think he was when they announced an ARM version of MacOS coming out. A real “ah f**k” situation.
Score: 30 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Apple Knowledge Navigator Avatar
69 months ago

Apple should make a Mac tablet. As small and light as possible. Ideally, 200 g and pocketable. Even without battery, but charging from the mains. Not for heavy work, but the ultimate Keynote and PowerPoint presentation tool. Make the presentation on the desktop Mac. Save it into the Mac tablet and carry it to the presentation room. Great for teachers and researchers.
Look up ‘iPad’
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iL15hts Avatar
69 months ago

What's next? BigSur on Apple Watch?
It will be called small sur 😂
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
0815 Avatar
69 months ago

this is perfect proof against running anything similar to the macOS UI on a touch input only device.
i know, it also supports mouse, but it's easy to see that is not the primary input method.
ipadOS is no longer a touch-only interface ... I have the latest iPad Pro with Apple's keyboard+touch pad and also the pencil ... it combines the best of all worlds. Using the iPad became for me a nice mix of keyboard/touchpad/finger/pen ... same could be true for macOS
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Benjamin Nabulsi Avatar
69 months ago
This year Apple should enable iPad Pro to run macOS and it's fine to have rules like 30% minimum battery and keyboard and mouse attached. iOS can't be taken seriously to replace the desktop work.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
69 months ago
What's next? BigSur on Apple Watch?
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)