Do I need to install VMware Tools on a Mac VM in VMware Fusion?

VMware Tools is not required just to start a macOS VM. In VMware Fusion, install it when you need the guest features Broadcom documents, such as text copy and paste or drag-and-drop. File copy and paste through the clipboard is not supported for Mac guests, and available features depend on the Fusion and macOS versions. Check Broadcom’s Mac guest VMware Tools guide for current limitations.

Why does VMware Tools installation fail on macOS High Sierra or later?

The installer may be blocked if macOS requires approval for VMware system software. After installation, check for a VMware security notification and follow the steps shown on screen; the wording and settings location vary by macOS version. If no approval option appears, confirm that your macOS guest and Fusion release are compatible and consult Broadcom’s Mac guest installation guide before trying again.

Can I install VMware Tools on a Mac OS X guest in VMware Workstation?

No supported installation path is documented for VMware Workstation on Windows or Linux. Broadcom’s guidance for macOS guests points to compatible VMware Fusion configurations on Apple hardware; check the Mac virtualization requirements and, for Apple silicon, the Arm guest compatibility notes. Do not rely on third-party patches or unofficial installer images for a supported setup.

Is VMware Fusion Pro free to use?

Broadcom makes VMware Fusion Pro version 13.5.2 and later available at no charge for personal, educational, and commercial use. You need a Broadcom account to download it, but no license key is required. See Broadcom’s Fusion Pro licensing and download instructions for the current terms.

How to Install VMware Tools on Mac: Install VMware Tools Mac OS and Mac OS X — Complete Guide for VMware Fusion and Workstation

VMware Tools adds guest integration features to a supported macOS virtual machine. Use VMware Fusion's built-in installer; you do not need to download a separate VMware Tools ISO. Before you begin, confirm that your Mac model, Fusion release, and macOS guest version are a supported combination.

This guide explains how to install VMware Tools on a Mac in Fusion, what to check before installation, and which features Broadcom documents for macOS guests. It also explains why Workstation and third-party darwin.iso instructions found online are not a supported way to run a macOS guest.

What VMware Tools Does on a Mac VM — and Why You Need It

What VMware Tools adds to a supported macOS guest

VMware Tools integrates the guest with its supported VMware host. Broadcom documents text drag-and-drop, copy-and-paste, and file drag-and-drop between a macOS host and guest. See Broadcom's macOS guest installation guide for supported features and limitations.

Limits to know before you install

Graphics use SVGA; accelerated 2D and 3D graphics are not supported.
File copy-and-paste between the macOS host and guest is not supported. Use file drag-and-drop instead.
Unity mode and multiple monitors in full-screen mode are not supported.
Mac OS X Server guests do not support sound.

VMware Tools features on macOS guests: documented support and limitations

Feature	Supported on macOS Guest	Notes
Screen resolution scaling	✓	SVGA driver only — no hardware acceleration
Text drag-and-drop and copy-and-paste	✓	Between a macOS host and macOS guest, as documented by Broadcom
File drag-and-drop	✓	Between a macOS host and macOS guest
File copy-and-paste	✗	Not supported
Unity mode	✗	Not supported
Multiple monitors in full-screen mode	✗	Not supported
Accelerated 2D or 3D graphics	✗	SVGA graphics only
Time synchronization	✓	Keeps guest clock accurate
Snapshot quiescing	✓	Requires VMware Tools installed
Sound in Mac OS X Server guests	✗	Not supported

Can You Install VMware Tools on Mac OS X? Platform and Compatibility Requirements

Check that your macOS guest is supported

For the Fusion installation covered here, Broadcom's macOS guest guidance directs users to VMware Fusion. Support depends on the exact guest release and Fusion version. Broadcom's virtualization guidance lists specific Mac OS X guest releases; check the Broadcom Compatibility Guide before creating or updating a VM. Broadcom specifically states that Arm variants of macOS are not supported as Fusion guests on Apple silicon Macs in its Apple silicon guest compatibility guidance.

VMware Workstation on Windows or Linux is not a supported platform for macOS guests. Third-party patches such as VMware Unlocker do not make that configuration supported. For Broadcom's policy, see Virtualizing Apple Mac OS X.

The VMware Tools installer is built into VMware Fusion

You do not need a separate disc or ISO to install VMware Tools in a supported macOS guest. Fusion includes the installer. Choose Virtual Machine → Install VMware Tools; Fusion mounts the installer volume in the guest. Broadcom's installation guide for a Mac OS guest lists the full procedure and known limitations.

VMware Fusion Pro is available at no cost

Broadcom says Fusion Pro 13.5.2 and later is available at no cost for personal, educational, and commercial users. A Broadcom Support Portal account is required to download it, and the free version does not require a license key. See Broadcom's Fusion Pro download and licensing guide for current details.

How to install VMware Tools on a Mac: VMware Fusion method

Before you install VMware Tools

Check that the Mac host, Fusion release, and macOS guest version are listed as compatible in the Broadcom Compatibility Guide.
Power on the supported macOS VM and sign in.
Have an administrator account available; the installer asks for its password.

Step by step: install VMware Tools on a Mac in VMware Fusion

In the Fusion menu bar, choose Virtual Machine → Install VMware Tools.
When Fusion asks, choose Install.
When the VMware Tools volume opens in the guest, double-click Install VMware Tools.
In the installer, choose Continue, then Install, and confirm Continue Installation.
Enter an administrator password when prompted, then choose Install Software.
When installation finishes, restart the guest.

If macOS blocks a VMware system extension

Broadcom's guide notes that macOS High Sierra (10.13) and later can show a “System Extension Blocked” message after restart. Follow the notification to the macOS security settings and allow the blocked VMware software if the option appears. Authenticate as an administrator and restart the guest. The settings screen can differ between macOS releases; follow the prompt for the version you use. See the Broadcom installation guide.

If macOS requests another permission

Read any additional macOS prompt before responding. Grant only the permission needed for the VMware Tools feature you want to use; the prompt and its location can vary by macOS release.

Can you install VMware Tools on a Mac in VMware Workstation?

Why the Workstation and darwin.iso method is not supported

Broadcom's macOS guest installation guide applies to VMware Fusion. VMware Workstation on Windows or Linux is not a supported platform for macOS guests. A third-party patch such as VMware Unlocker, or a darwin.iso downloaded from elsewhere, does not make that configuration supported. Do not use those steps as a VMware-supported installation method. See Broadcom's Mac OS guest installation guide.

Use VMware Fusion for a supported macOS guest

Check the Broadcom Compatibility Guide for the exact Mac, Fusion release, and macOS guest combination. Broadcom does not support macOS guest VMs on Apple silicon Macs.
On a compatible setup, start the macOS guest in Fusion and choose Virtual Machine → Install VMware Tools. Fusion includes the installer; a separate darwin.iso is not needed.
Run the installer in the guest, restart when prompted, and follow any macOS system-extension notification.

Install VMware Tools on a Mac VM: check that installation completed

How to verify the features you need

Test text copy-and-paste between the macOS host and guest.
Test file drag-and-drop between the host and guest. File copy-and-paste is not supported.
In Fusion's Virtual Machine menu, an Update VMware Tools option indicates that an installed version is available to update.

Common reasons installation may not work

Unsupported guest or host combination → Check the exact versions in the Broadcom Compatibility Guide.
System extension blocked → Follow the macOS notification and Broadcom's installation steps.
Installation still fails → Follow Broadcom's Mac guest uninstall and reinstall procedure. Do not remove system files unless the official procedure directs you to do so.

Updating and Uninstalling VMware Tools on a Mac VM

How to update VMware Tools in VMware Fusion

For a supported macOS virtual machine in VMware Fusion, open the VM and choose Virtual Machine → Update VMware Tools when that option is available. Follow the installer prompts and restart the guest if requested. If macOS displays a security prompt, follow the instructions shown for your macOS version. Check Broadcom’s VMware Tools installation guide for Mac guests for the supported procedure.

How to uninstall VMware Tools from a Mac VM

Use the VMware Tools uninstaller supplied with the guest installation, if available. For manual removal or troubleshooting, follow Broadcom’s current instructions for uninstalling VMware Tools from a Mac guest. Avoid deleting system files by hand using steps from an unrelated macOS or VMware version. Restart the guest after uninstalling, then reinstall Tools from the Fusion Virtual Machine menu if needed.

VMware Tools, VMDK Files, and VM Data Recovery

What VMware Tools does and does not do for VM data

Broadcom documents time synchronization between a Mac host and Fusion guest when VMware Tools is installed. Its VMware Tools overview also describes the ability to take quiesced guest snapshots; check the documentation for your exact product and guest to confirm that this workflow is supported. A quiesced snapshot is not a backup and does not guarantee application-consistent data. VMware Tools alone does not protect a virtual disk from storage failure.

A macOS virtual machine stores its disk in one or more virtual disk files, commonly with the VMDK extension. If the Mac that hosts the VM or its storage device fails, those files may become inaccessible or damaged. Keep backups and follow the recovery guidance for the affected storage.

For information about DiskInternals VMFS Recovery™, review the product documentation and confirm that it covers your storage type and recovery scenario.

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