How to Set Up a macOS VM with Bridged Networking Using Apple’s Sample App on Apple Silicon

Using Xcode to build a macOS VM for application security testing

Mark Sowell
6 min readOct 11, 2023
macOS VM with bridged networking running on macOS with Apple Silicon
macOS VM with bridged networking running on macOS with Apple Silicon via a Swift App

Setting up a macOS VM on Apple Silicon has its perks when it comes to application security testing, including testing software in isolated environments, avoiding proxying your host system to Burp Suite, and testing apps that are not proxy-aware. Apple provides a sample app, but when testing certain applications, bridged networking might be necessary for broader connectivity, especially when those applications rely on specific networking protocols or need direct communication with other devices on the local network. In this guide, we’ll dive into turning the sample app into a VM with bridged networking capabilities.

Prerequisites

  • Hardware: Apple Silicon Mac.
  • Software: macOS and Xcode.
  • Membership: Apple Developer Program.
  • Knowledge: Familiarity with Xcode and basic programming concepts.

Starting with Apple’s Sample App

Apple’s documentation for Running macOS in a Virtual Machine on Apple Silicon is a robust starting point. Complete the steps to get the macOS VM up and running. The…

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Mark Sowell
Mark Sowell

Written by Mark Sowell

Penetration Tester at Check Point Software Technologies - CEH Master, CCSM Elite, & Cybersecurity Expert | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marksowell/

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