Docker Desktop for Mac: QEMU Virtualization Option to be Deprecated in 90 Days | Docker

We are announcing the upcoming deprecation of QEMU as a virtualization option for Docker Desktop on Apple Silicon Macs. After serving as our legacy virtualization solution during the early transition to Apple Silicon, QEMU will be fully deprecated 90 days from today, on July 14, 2025. This deprecation does not affect QEMU’s role in emulating non-native architectures for multi-platform builds. By moving to Apple Virtualization Framework or Docker VMM, you will ensure optimal performance.

Why We’re Making This Change

Our telemetry shows that a very small percentage of users are still using the QEMU option. We’ve maintained QEMU support for backward compatibility, but both Docker VMM and Apple Virtualization Framework now offer:

• Significantly better performance
• Improved stability
• Enhanced compatibility with macOS updates
• Better integration with Apple Silicon architecture

What This Means For You

If you’re currently using QEMU as your Virtual Machine Manager (VMM) on Docker Desktop for Mac:

• Your current installation will continue to work normally during the 90-day transition period
• After July 1, 2025, Docker Desktop releases will automatically migrate your environment to Apple Virtualization Framework
• You’ll experience improved performance and stability with the newer virtualization options

Migration Plan

The migration process will be smooth and straightforward:

1. Users on the latest Docker Desktop release will be automatically migrated to Apple Virtualization Framework after the 90-day period
2. During the transition period, you can manually switch to either Docker VMM (our fastest option for Apple Silicon Macs) or Apple Virtualization Framework through Settings > General > Virtual Machine Options
3. For 30 days after the deprecation date, the QEMU option will remain available in settings for users who encounter migration issues
4. After this extended period, the QEMU option will be fully removed

Note: This deprecation does not affect QEMU’s role in emulating non-native architectures for multi-platform builds.

What You Should Do Now

We recommend proactively switching to one of our newer VMM options before the automatic migration:

1. Update to the latest version of Docker Desktop for Mac
2. Open Docker Desktop Settings > General
3. Under “Choose Virtual Machine Manager (VMM)” select either:
   • Docker VMM (BETA) – Our fastest option for Apple Silicon Macs
   • Apple Virtualization Framework – A mature, high-performance alternative

Questions or Concerns?

If you have questions or encounter any issues during migration, please:

We’re committed to making this transition as seamless as possible while delivering the best development experience on macOS.