It is possible to containerize a MacOS application? reddit / selfhosted ---------------------------------------------------------------------- sowhatidoit · 2023-09-30 23:47 MacOS has been my daily driver for almost 15 years. Now with selfhosting, I barely use any of the baked in apps that apple provides. However, there is one specific app (only available on MacOS and iOS) that prevents me from leaving apple hardware. There are alternatives, but quite frankly, no one even comes close. Is it possible to containerize an app and use it on another platform like linux or windows? What are my options? Because many of you will ask. The app is called MindNode. I am not looking for an alternative to this app. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- IntrovertedFL · 2023-10-01 00:12 I ran across this project a few months back, honestly haven't used it, could be useful in your situation? https://github.com/sickcodes/Docker-OSX ---------------------------------------------------------------------- bubblegumpuma · 2023-10-01 00:12 I've not used it, but perhaps Docker-OSX is a good basis? https://github.com/sickcodes/Docker-OSX ---------------------------------------------------------------------- FroSSTII · 2023-10-01 00:12 Unfortunately there is no real way to achieve it. You have a few options: * Keep a mac around and remote to use the app * Use a physical/VM Hackintosh and remote to use the app * You could try running macOS its self in a container - [Docker- OSX](https://github.com/sickcodes/Docker-OSX) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Butthurtz23 · 2023-10-01 00:32 It's possible However, there might be some applications that won't run smoothly due to missing dependencies or library files, unless Apple provides the necessary tools and resources. Since this is unlikely as it's similar to running a containerized hackintosh on top of \*nix machine. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- thekrautboy · 2023-10-01 00:38 Thats not how containers work. They are not Virtual Machines. Refer to /r/Docker ---------------------------------------------------------------------- justinhunt1223 · 2023-10-01 00:46 Didn't know you could run MacOS in docker. Guess I'll try it out now... ---------------------------------------------------------------------- thekrautboy · 2023-10-01 01:02 Hasnt been updated in quite a while, good luck. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- sowhatidoit · 2023-10-01 01:25 I'll give it a shot. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- sowhatidoit · 2023-10-01 01:27 Docker OSX might be a potential solution! Thanks. I'll have to keep the mac around for now. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- justinhunt1223 · 2023-10-01 01:32 Challenge accepted. T minus 6 hours until I give up ---------------------------------------------------------------------- thekrautboy · 2023-10-01 01:36 It will probably start and work for the most part. But will it be just like a actually installed OSX? Doubtful, and the more time passes and it doesnt get further updates, the more problems are likely to arise, and more and more applications are not going to work inside it. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- needadvicebadly · 2023-10-01 02:02 There is a newer https://github.com/macOScontainers/homebrew- formula#readme I haven't tried it myself, but you can give it a try too. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- alexthattalks · 2023-10-01 02:27 [OpenShift Virtualization](https://www.redhat.com/en/technologies/cloud- computing/openshift/virtualization) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- thekrautboy · 2023-10-01 02:28 Cool, has nothing to do with this topic tho. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- alexthattalks · 2023-10-01 02:31 Right. Thats how this commenting thing works. I replied to your statement, and didn’t start a new comment thread. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- thekrautboy · 2023-10-01 02:35 No, thats not how this commenting thing works. You would reply to something that has any relation at all to what was said. Your comment has nothing to do with what was said. But im going to play dumb and let you explain it to me, so what exactly does RH OpenShift have to do with running OSX reliably with a GUI inside a container like OP has asked? Please explain. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- l0033z · 2023-10-01 03:07 I use this docker image on my CI for my config files. It works great! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- thekrautboy · 2023-10-01 03:11 Cool xD ---------------------------------------------------------------------- sowhatidoit · 2023-10-01 03:18 LOL. That made me chuckle. A few hours ago, I was so motivated to build a clone of MindNode. I opened up MindNode to mind map how I was going to build a replacement. Then I doom scrolled YouTube for 2 hours. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- sowhatidoit · 2023-10-01 03:19 So you are able to get it to work? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- sowhatidoit · 2023-10-01 03:22 I'm going to give this a shot. MindNode (the app I'm trying to containerize) compatible with older version of MacOS. I don't need the machine to ever be online, so security patches, or software upgrades won't have an impact. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- greenphlem · 2023-10-01 03:43 That’s not the same thing…. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- DoTheThingNow · 2023-10-01 04:00 He is giving the only option that will work to run that app outside of actually having a Mac ---------------------------------------------------------------------- thekrautboy · 2023-10-01 04:10 Yeah basically running a VM, but thats not what OP is asking about. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- PaprikaRainbow · 2023-10-01 04:31 "MacOS has been my daily driver for almost 15 years" But why though? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- angellus · 2023-10-01 04:31 You can, but to do so reliably, the container host machine has to be MacOS, which may completely defeat the purpose of trying to containerize it. MacOS is only "supported" on approved Apple hardware configurations. Anything else may lead to unexpected results. You could make a Hackintosh to use for the MacOS host, but it may or may not work. Of course, you are /r/selfhosted, but there are "cloud" solutions as well as there are ways to get MacOS [VMs](https://aws.amazon.com/ec2/instance-types/mac/) or [dedicated machines](https://www.scaleway.com/en/hello-m1/). ---------------------------------------------------------------------- adamshand · 2023-10-01 04:38 Not OP but for me the answer is: - the hardware is much better (battery, weight, screen, trackpad, no fans) - I can’t stomach Windows - every time I get pissed of with Apple and decide I’m going Linux on the desktop KM infruriated by the utter failure of basics on Linux (no standard cut and paste hit keys, trackpad responsibility is outrageously awful) - the ability to occasionally run commercial apps And I used linux as a desktop for 5 years back in the 90s. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- CeeMX · 2023-10-01 05:37 Why not? If you use the whole Apple ecosystem there’s awesome integration between all devices ---------------------------------------------------------------------- PaprikaRainbow · 2023-10-01 06:05 For security, stability, and privacy use Linux. For user friendly and compatibility use Windows. Macs are way over priced and their use cases are so niche. Macs have no upgradability and MacOS regularly drops compatibility for older software (PowerPC, Intel, 32 bit). Gaming is virtually non existent on MacOS. The professional use cases are so niche and real pros are running Mac Pro hardware not "MacBook Pros", besides most professional software is available on Windows anyways. I had a Mac for years so I'm talking from personal experience here, don't get one. Most people I know that bought MacBooks literally just use it for Google Chrome and writing documents so could've saved $1000+ and think if they use Windows they'll get a virus. These same people will usually compare a $300 Walmart laptop to a $1200 MacBook as if they're comparable. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- amiiboh · 2023-10-01 06:32 I was in your shoes for a long time, but eventually found Miro can do just about everything I ever wanted to do with MindNode and more, if you’re okay with the subscription. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- elightcap · 2023-10-01 07:24 Hot take incoming but Mac’s have better MDM than windows these days. Intune is about as reliable for me as well…windows ---------------------------------------------------------------------- CeeMX · 2023-10-01 08:27 If you’re still using PowerPC software these days, you are having some other problems. PowerPC is no more since over 15 years. That’s like saying Microsoft is abandoning Windows XP. For Audio, I prefer MacOS every time over windows, especially in live settings. The architecture is just plain better than on windows. Regarding pricing, I agree, the comparison should be between equal devices and not between a high end MacBook and a crappy windows machine. Recently I sold a Thinkpad X1 at work to a customer with roughly the same specs as my M2 MBA. It was even slightly more expensive than the MacBook. Same upgradability (none), way less battery life due to x86 and plastics case instead of Aluminium. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- tebeks · 2023-10-01 08:37 No. Containers != Virtualization Even with virtualization you will have a ver hard time running osx apps on other OSes ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Jedkea · 2023-10-01 09:14 That’s the thing about Mac though, it’s in between windows and linux. It just works and has a smooth UI like windows, but is also Unix like. I think you may be confusing why Mac’s are for professionals. They are largely for professionals due to the cost (although there are some good entry levels with the air now a days). A consumer is going to have a tough time spending 4k on a laptop. Someone who sits at that computer all day and uses it to make money will not mind. It’s a business expense for them that generates income. It’s the same with all higher end computer equipment. The cost vs benefits for the average consumer don’t align. There are niche use cases such as video editing and such, but it’s larger than that. I regularly run windows, osx, and debian variants. Mac is my daily driver though. It’s the one setup I keep coming back to. I also disagree on Linux being stable. I have spent many hours tracking down obscure breaks in my Linux setups (just had a kernel update break my gpu and network drivers). Needless to say I was a bit angry, that’s not exactly billable time. The main perks of modern Mac’s are: - great battery life (I can get a full 8-9h day on full brightness) - high screen resolution - unmatched peripherals. The trackpad is so good, and the keyboards have really grown on me - the ports are all thunderbolt4 When you start comparing them to other laptops that come close to the specs, they are no longer so expensive. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- tomistruth · 2023-10-01 10:48 Virtualbox lets you install MacOS as a VM. It's not docker as you need to fully virtualize the hardware to work properly. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- needadvicebadly · 2023-10-01 12:36 you are right. I didn't read the full question. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- isThisRight-- · 2023-10-01 12:44 Short answer is no. Your options are to run a VM or just leave an old Mac Online that you can connect to but you can’t containerize macOS apps. If you want to go the VM route there are several projects available. QuickEmu, VBox, KVM, ProxMox(with some add-ons of course). Also really? MindNode is the best mind mapping software ever, for you at least? I’ve used a bunch and have only found them all to be Ok at best. I’m glad you like it so much. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- blaaackbear · 2023-10-01 13:34 did docker osx work? i wana give it a shot too ---------------------------------------------------------------------- LawfulMuffin · 2023-10-01 14:11 You might get better responses in another subreddit. My understanding is that this is a desktop application? Being honest, you’re probably not going to have an enjoyable experience on anything not native. VNC is terrible and would require a running another max 24/7. Mac locks their stuff down hard you’re best option is probably virtualization but that’s also going to be substandard and way outside what you’re “supposed” to do with McOS so it could go away at any time. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- OkOk-Go · 2023-10-01 16:16 You can buy a Mac Mini, throw it on your homelab / data closet / desk and use Apache Guacamole to connect to it via VNC. It’s best if you prepare a special user for it. Another one is Kasm, I just found out it has macOS support also. I haven’t tried it but looks very very polished. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- l0033z · 2023-10-01 16:38 Yup! The instructions are pretty good. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Edianultra · 2023-10-01 23:12 Guess you didn’t read the last sentence in op’s post. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- amiiboh · 2023-10-01 23:15 I read it, and as a MindNode user of more than a decade I commented anyway just in case it’s an option they weren’t familiar with or other people with this problem end up here in the future. Guess you care more about being a dick than being helpful, gg 👌 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- alexthattalks · 2023-10-17 19:14 In it's form, it has nothing to do with what the OP asked, I will grant you that. Neither does your equally unhelpful response. You pointed them at an **entire subreddit**, without any guidance, idea of what to look for... awesomeeee. Thanks for... **nothing**. And on top of it, you radiate a general disdain for anyone that isn't you, and its suuuuper off-putting. On the other hand, knowing I did not have anything to offer the OP (and I'm sorry I didn't :( , OP), I elt the need to dispute your misleading statement with proof to the contrary. The very premise that a VM can run as a container, means your statement "Thats not how containers work. They are not Virtual Machines." is technically best form, but uninformed, and lacking context. The fact that RHOCP can run Virtual Machines means that *anything* can be a container. Spending some more time, I do have something to offer now, though. Sadly, the OP likely doesn't have access to an RHOCP cluster or resources (though they might, who knows), but they could virtualize their entire Mac environment with MindNode installed, as a virtual machine running in a container (not super easy but could be done), and remote into the instance with VNC. This would free them up from having to have a physical Mac, while technically satisfying the requirement of accessing the app on another platform, while remaining portable. Updates would be a huge pain, but this is an unsupported hack anyway. If Apple would offer a Universal Base Image (UBI) of a lite instance of MacOS to run individual apps, THAT would really be something. But they won't. Ever. Also, are you new to the internet? The amount of shit posting that happens, and you react the way you did when I posted something that on the surface had zero to do with the entire thread (which your comment was now part of because of your need to show superiority) when in reality, it was just to point out your lack of context. It did have \*something\* to do with containers. I didn't explain how giraffe's procreate. AlsAl ---------------------------------------------------------------------- thekrautboy · 2023-10-17 19:32 Took you almost two weeks to come back with that? Bravo. Blocked btw.