Video Demos macOS Catalina Running on iPad Pro via x86 Emulation

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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.

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Top Rated Comments

gaximus Avatar
gaximus
63 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
Apple Knowledge Navigator
63 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
iL15hts
63 months ago

What's next? BigSur on Apple Watch?
It will be called small sur ?
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
0815 Avatar
0815
63 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)
grimgreybeard Avatar
grimgreybeard
63 months ago
What's next? BigSur on Apple Watch?
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Benjamin Nabulsi Avatar
Benjamin Nabulsi
63 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)
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