How to Install MacOS Sequoia on AMD Ryzen (VMWare) Opencore

Want to run macOS Sequoia on your AMD Ryzen system with VMWare? It’s possible, but it’s not as simple as running a standard VM. Apple never intended macOS to run on non-Apple hardware, let alone an AMD CPU, so you need the right tools, patience, and a bit of technical know-how. Here’s how to get it done.

What You Need

• AMD Ryzen PC (the newer, the better)
• VMWare Workstation Pro (Download v17.5.2 here)
• macOS Sequoia ISO or installer (Beta 2 ISO here)
• OpenCore EFI for VMWare (AMD-patched version)
• VMWare macOS Unlocker (Download original Unlocker or New tested Unlocker version)
• VMWare Tools (Download here)
• 8GB RAM minimum for the VM (16GB is better)
• At least 60GB free disk space

1. Get VMWare Ready

First, install VMWare Workstation Pro. Download v17.5.2 if you don’t have it yet.

Unlock macOS Support in VMWare

VMWare doesn’t natively support macOS on non-Apple hardware. You need to run the macOS Unlocker:

1. Download the Unlocker (original version or new tested version).
2. Extract it.
3. Run the win-install.cmd script as Administrator.
4. Restart VMWare.

Now you’ll see “Apple Mac OS X” in the guest OS selection list.

2. Create the Virtual Machine

1. Open VMWare and create a new virtual machine.
2. Choose “I will install the operating system later.”
3. Select macOS 15 (or the closest macOS option).
4. Name your VM and select your storage location.
5. Set RAM to 8GB minimum (16GB is better). Assign at least 4 CPU cores.
6. Create a new virtual disk (at least 60GB, SATA recommended).

3. Attach the macOS Sequoia Installer

1. Go to your VM’s settings.
2. Under CD/DVD (SATA), select “Use ISO image file.”
3. Point it to your macOS Sequoia installer ISO (Download Beta 2).

4. Set Up OpenCore EFI

To boot macOS on AMD (and avoid kernel panics), you need an OpenCore EFI for VMWare—specifically one patched for AMD. Here’s what to do:

1. Download an AMD-ready OpenCore EFI for VMWare (Google or check forums like InsanelyMac for prebuilt versions).
2. Extract the OpenCore boot image (.vmdk or .img).
3. In your VM settings, add a new hard disk:
   • Select “Use an existing virtual disk.”
   • Point it to the OpenCore VMDK file.
4. Move the OpenCore disk up in the boot order (so it boots before the macOS installer).

5. Edit the VMX File

You need to tweak the VM configuration for AMD compatibility:

1. Shut down the VM.
2. Find your VM folder, open the .vmx file in Notepad.
3. Add or update these lines:
   smc.version = "0"
cpuid.0.eax = "0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:1011"
cpuid.0.ebx = "0111:0101:0110:1110:0110:0101:0100:0111"
cpuid.0.ecx = "0110:1100:0110:0101:0111:0100:0110:0101"
cpuid.0.edx = "0100:1001:0111:0100:0100:1100:0110:0101"
cpuid.1.ecx = "0000:0000:1000:0011:0000:0010:1000:0000"
cpuid.1.edx = "0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:0110:1010:1001"
4. Save and close.

6. Boot and Install macOS Sequoia

1. Start your VM.
2. At the OpenCore boot picker, select the macOS installer.
3. Once in the installer, use Disk Utility to erase your virtual hard disk (APFS, GUID Partition Map).
4. Quit Disk Utility and install macOS Sequoia to the virtual disk.

The install process may reboot several times. Always boot through OpenCore and select your disk when prompted.

7. First Boot and Post-Install

• After installation, always boot from OpenCore (do not remove the OpenCore disk).
• You may need to tweak your EFI config for better performance or hardware compatibility. Tools like ProperTree can help edit the config.plist.
• VMWare Tools (Download here) may not work perfectly, but give them a shot for better mouse and display integration.

Tips & Troubleshooting

• If you get stuck at Apple logo, try adjusting CPU settings (disable “Accelerate 3D graphics,” set cores/threads, or tweak EFI).
• Always use the latest OpenCore EFI and macOS installer you can find.
• For audio, network, or USB, check AMD-specific OpenCore kexts (drivers).
• Back up your EFI and VMX files after everything works.

Final Thoughts

Running macOS Sequoia on AMD Ryzen in VMWare is doable, but not supported by Apple. Expect some trial and error. For daily use or mission-critical work, a real Mac is still your best bet. But for testing, development, or just curiosity, this method gets the job done—if you follow each step.

For a similar guide on a previous version, check out:
How to Install macOS Sonoma on AMD Ryzen (VMWare) OpenCore

Questions, errors, or want a more detailed EFI guide? Drop a comment below!

Mark Vincent

Tech enthusiast and content creator passionate about making technology simple for everyone. I share practical tips, guides, and reviews on the latest in computers, software, and gadgets. Let’s explore the digital world together!