# The Pursuit of macOS on iPad: An Examination of the Present Scenario
Apple’s platforms, macOS and iPadOS, though separate, exhibit various commonalities. Despite ongoing rumors, Apple has not signaled any intention to combine the two. Nonetheless, the aspiration to run macOS on iPads continues, spurring fascinating advancements within the jailbreak sector.
## The Hackintosh Idea Reimagined
Steve Troughton-Smith, a well-known developer, recently proposed that the definition of “hackintosh” may soon include iPads operating macOS, rather than merely self-assembled Mac replicas. In a post on Mastodon, he remarked that although Apple might not officially endorse macOS for iPads, the community is nearing a stage where jailbroken devices might operate macOS-like environments.
Troughton-Smith posted visuals showcasing early efforts to run macOS applications like Terminal, Disk Utility, Activity Monitor, and even Xcode on iPhone hardware. These examples, while not entirely operational, demonstrate the potential for executing macOS on iPads through unofficial channels.
## The MacWSBootingGuide Initiative
Current attempts to bring macOS to iPads are chronicled in the MacWSBootingGuide initiative, maintained on GitHub by Duy Tran. This initiative is still developing, and individuals keen on trying it should have a certain degree of technical proficiency. The intricacy of the journey highlights the hurdles in running macOS on non-Mac devices.
## Jailbreaking: The Gateway to Unleashing Potential
The viability of executing macOS on iPads relies on contemporary jailbreak tools, which have become less common. Public jailbreaks such as palera1n and Dopamine are accessible for specific iPhones and iPads operating iOS or iPadOS 16 and prior versions. The capacity to jailbreak largely hinges on the chip architecture of the device.
Older devices equipped with A11 chips or earlier can take advantage of the unpatchable checkm8 exploit, while newer models encounter restrictions, being jailbreakable only on certain older firmware releases. At present, there are no public jailbreaks for iOS or iPadOS 17 or later, limiting this macOS-on-iPad venture to older systems and software.
## iPadOS 26: Mac-Like Enhancements
As the endeavor for macOS on iPads persists, Apple is incorporating more Mac-like features into iPadOS. The forthcoming iPadOS 26, which will be available in developer and public beta versions, is poised to introduce several improvements that blur the distinctions between the two operating systems. Users can investigate these modifications and look forward to the official launch anticipated in September.
## Conclusion
The ambition of running macOS on iPads continues to be an intriguing undertaking within the technology community. While Apple has not officially adopted this notion, the initiatives of developers and the functionalities of jailbroken devices provide a glimpse into the potential. As the environment progresses, it will be captivating to observe how these initiatives evolve and whether Apple will ultimately connect the divide between macOS and iPadOS.
