UTM (software)
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Short description|Virtual machine software}}{{Infobox software
| title = UTM
| logo = UTM logo.svg
| logo size = 128px
| developer = Turing Software, LLC{{cite web | title=UTM Virtual Machines | website=Mac App Store | date=February 24, 2021 | url=https://apps.apple.com/us/app/utm-virtual-machines/id1538878817?mt=12 | access-date=April 18, 2025}}
| latest release version = v4.6.5{{cite web | title=Releases | website=GitHub | url=https://github.com/utmapp/UTM/releases | access-date=April 21, 2025}}
| operating system = macOS, iOS, visionOS
| platform = Apple–Intel architecture, Apple silicon
| license = Apache License{{cite web | title=LICENSE | website=GitHub | date=April 12, 2019 | url=https://github.com/utmapp/UTM/blob/main/LICENSE | access-date=April 18, 2025}}
| website = {{URL|https://mac.getutm.app}}
}}
UTM is an open-source virtual machine application for macOS and iOS. A version called UTM SE was released on the iOS App Store, which is noted for its slow performance compared to the regular version. UTM has been praised for its ability to run a large number of operating systems for free.
Features
UTM functions as either a virtualizer or an emulator. As a virtualizer, UTM runs operating systems that have an underlying architecture 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 running just-in-time compilation on the guest code. UTM can integrate with the built-in hypervisor 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's Rosetta software to efficiently run x86-64 code on ARM processors.{{cite web |last=Orland |first=Kyle |date=July 15, 2024 |title=PC emulator comes to iOS, but Apple's restrictions hamper performance |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2024/07/apples-restrictions-hold-back-the-first-pc-emulator-on-the-ios-app-store/ |access-date=March 28, 2025 |website=Ars Technica}}{{cite web |last=Proven |first=Liam |date=September 29, 2023 |title=UTM: An Apple hypervisor with some unique extra abilities |url=https://www.theregister.com/2023/09/29/utm_apple_hypervisor_foss_fest/ |access-date=April 17, 2025 |website=The Register}}
UTM runs on both Intel and Apple silicon processors.{{cite web |last=Joseph |first=Cliff |date=June 26, 2024 |title=UTM Virtual Machines review |url=https://www.macworld.com/article/2377883/utm-virtual-machines-review.html |access-date=April 17, 2025 |website=Macworld}} The UTM mobile app only supports emulation. UTM does not support GPU virtualization, so it cannot use APIs for hardware acceleration, such as DirectX and OpenGL.{{cite web |title=FAQ |url=https://getutm.app/faq/ |access-date=April 17, 2025 |website=getutm.app}}
UTM can be freely downloaded from GitHub, although there is a paid version on the Mac App Store that receives automatic updates.{{cite web |title=Installation |url=https://docs.getutm.app/installation/macos/ |access-date=April 21, 2025 |website=UTM Documentation}}
UTM SE
UTM SE is a version of UTM that is modified for the iOS App Store. The original version of UTM can still be installed on iOS through sideloading or an unofficial app store, but it is not on the App Store due to Apple's restrictions on launching executable code. Released in 2024, UTM SE was the first PC emulator on the iOS App Store.{{cite web |last=Butts |first=Jeff |date=July 15, 2024 |title=First PC emulator arrives on iOS App Store, delivers i486 or PowerPC fun on your iPhone, iPad or Vision Pro |url=https://www.tomshardware.com/phones/iphone/utm-se-emulator-release-for-apple-ios-unleashes-i486-or-powerpc-fun-on-your-iphone-ipad-or-vision-pro |access-date=April 20, 2025 |website=Tom's Hardware}} Prior to its release, the App Store had already allowed console emulators such as Delta.
UTM SE uses an interpreter instead of just-in-time compilation, bypassing the App Store's restrictions. SE stands for "slow edition", since the lack of compilation drastically slows down performance.
UTM SE supports the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Vision Pro.
Reception
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. PCMag described UTM as sluggish when emulating Intel-based systems, and stated that its lack of support for DirectX graphics acceleration makes it a poor choice for gaming.{{cite web |last=Mendelson |first=Edward |date=February 28, 2025 |title=UTM Virtual Machine Review |url=https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/utm-virtual-machine |access-date=March 28, 2025 |website=PCMag}}