How to Fix the macOS Tahoe Beta Virtual Machine “Software Update is Required” Error

If you’re an Apple enthusiast, developer, or tech tinkerer, you’ve probably been excited to test out the latest macOS Tahoe Beta in a virtual machine (VM). Virtualization offers a safe and flexible way to explore new macOS features without risking your primary system. However, as many early adopters have discovered, installing macOS in a VM isn’t always smooth sailing.

One particularly frustrating issue is the dreaded “A software update is required to install macOS in a virtual machine” error, followed by the even more disheartening “Installation failed. Can’t install the software because it is not currently available from the Software Update server” message. If you’ve encountered this, you’re not alone—this problem has plagued macOS testers for multiple releases.

The good news? There’s a simple fix that doesn’t require downloading the massive Xcode beta. Instead, you can resolve the issue by installing a much smaller “Device Support for macOS 26 beta” package. Below, we’ll walk you through the exact steps to get macOS Tahoe Beta running smoothly in your VM of choice—whether you’re using UTM, Parallels, VirtualBox, VMware, or another virtualization app.

You can also go through these macOS Tahoe Virtualization guides:
Install macOS Tahoe on VMware on Windows PC
Install macOS Tahoe on UTM

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How to Fix the “Software Update is Required” Error for macOS Tahoe Beta in a VM

Step 1: Download the “Device Support for macOS 26 Beta” Package

1. Go to the Apple Developer Downloads page (you’ll need an Apple Developer account). If you don’t have an account, use your Apple ID to sign in.

2. Search for “Device Support for macOS 26 beta” and download the package.

Step 2: Install the Device Support Package

3. Once downloaded, open the .dmg or .pkg file and follow the installation prompts.
4. After installation completes, restart your Mac (some users report this is necessary for the changes to take effect).

Step 3: Retry the macOS Tahoe Beta Installation in Your VM

5. Quit your virtual machine app (e.g., UTM, Parallels, VirtualBox).
6. Relaunch the VM app and attempt the macOS Tahoe Beta installation again.

This time, the “Software Update is Required” error should no longer appear, and the installation should proceed normally.

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Why Does This Error Happen?

This issue occurs because macOS beta installations in virtual machines often require additional system components that aren’t included in the standard installer. In previous macOS versions, installing Xcode beta was the common workaround, but that’s a hefty download (often over 10GB). Fortunately, Apple now provides the Device Support package, a much lighter alternative (usually just a few hundred MB) that fulfills the same requirement.

If you want to try it using the Xcode 26 Beta installer, you can follow this video tutorial:

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Conclusion: Enjoy Testing macOS Tahoe Beta Without the Hassle

Virtual machines are an excellent way to experiment with macOS betas without affecting your primary system. While the “Software Update is Required” error can be a roadblock, the solution is straightforward—just grab the Device Support package, install it, and you’ll be up and running in no time.

Have you found another workaround for this issue? Maybe a different virtualization tool that handles macOS betas better? Share your experiences in the comments below! And if this guide helped you, don’t forget to share it with fellow developers and beta testers who might be struggling with the same problem.

Happy testing! 🚀

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Additional Notes:

• This fix works across UTM, Parallels, VirtualBox, VMware, and other VM apps.
• If you still encounter issues, try updating your VM software to the latest version.
• Some users report that disabling SIP (System Integrity Protection) helps, but this is not recommended for most users.

Got questions? Drop them in the comments! 👇