26.4 beta and RC versions are unable to be created on anything but 26.4 beta host OS

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Created 1d

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We're trying to create 26.4 beta and RC VMs on 15.x and 26.3 host OS' without success. We see

Tue Mar 17 17:27:36 40 anka.log (install) 45803: failed to install macOS: Error Domain=VZErrorDomain Code=10006 "Installation requires a software update." UserInfo={NSLocalizedFailure=A software update is required to complete the installation., NSLocalizedFailureReason=Installation requires a software update.}

Yet, if we create it the same way on 26.4 beta host OS, it works.

We've tried the usual tricks of installing latest Xcode and preparing it (accepting license, etc). But, they don't work on 26.3 and 15.x.

What's the trick to get the creation of 26.4 to work on <= 26.3 host OS?

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Answer 1

DTS Engineer OP

Apple

8h

AFAIK there’s no magic here. And I tried reproducing this on my main work Mac and didn’t have a problem. Specifically:

On macOS 26.3.1, I downloaded the current 26.4rc seed (UniversalMac_26.4_25E243_Restore.ipsw).
Using an off-the-shelf Virtualization framework app [1], I created a VM from that.
It installed and booted, and I was able to run all the way through MacBuddy and get to the Finder.

I’m not sure why this is failing in your environment.

This Mac is production hardware that’s only ever run released system software (plus various Xcode beta seeds).

When I wrote the above I hadn’t yet installed Xcode 26.4rc. So I installed that and repeated the test. It didn’t change anything. Things continued to work.

Share and Enjoy
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Quinn “The Eskimo!” @ Developer Technical Support @ Apple
let myEmail = "eskimo" + "1" + "@" + "apple.com"

[1] VirtualBuddy 2.1.

0

Answer 2

norsegaud OP

7h

This is what I see on a brand new M5 with 26 Mobile Device Support installed + using Virtualbuddy.

Screenshot 2026-03-20 at 7.13.43 AM.png

I'm not entirely sure why your environment works actually.

1