# macOS VPS and VDS at HyperDC: remote Macs for development

> What HyperDC macOS VPS, macOS VDS and Apple Silicon macOS VPS plans include, which macOS and Xcode versions to choose, and how to manage Xcode and disk space.

Difficulty: Beginner\
Tested on: macOS Sequoia 15, macOS Tahoe 26

A HyperDC macOS server is a Mac in our data center that you use remotely: for Xcode builds, iOS simulators, code signing and CI runners, without buying hardware for every developer. This guide explains the three macOS lines and the everyday tasks of keeping Xcode and disk space under control.

## The three macOS lines

| | macOS VPS | macOS VDS | Apple Silicon macOS VPS |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | A virtual Mac on Apple hardware | The larger tier, with more vCPU, memory and NVMe | A virtual Mac on Apple silicon |
| Nested virtualization | No | Yes | No (Apple's Virtualization framework does not offer it for macOS guests) |
| macOS versions | As listed in the order form | As listed in the order form | Prepared on request, including current releases for Apple silicon |
| Typical use | Development, smaller projects, CI | Large projects, parallel tests, team CI runners | Builds that need Xcode releases for Apple silicon only |

Compare plans on the [macOS VPS](/macos-vps-hosting), [macOS VDS](/macos-vds-hosting) and [Apple Silicon macOS VPS](/apple-silicon-macos-vps) pages.

## What you get

- A complete macOS system with an **administrator account**.
- **Screen Sharing** for the desktop and **Remote Login** (SSH, SFTP) for the command line; see [first steps on a macOS server](/guides/macos-server-first-steps).
- A **dedicated IPv4 address** as an option in the order form, for webhooks, allow lists and direct SSH.
- **Free weekly and monthly backups**; keep your own copies of signing assets and projects as well.

## Choose macOS and Xcode

Apple sets the minimum Xcode for App Store uploads: since 28 April 2026, apps must be built with **Xcode 26** or later, which needs **macOS Sequoia 15.6** or later. From April 2027, the iOS 27 SDK will be required; it comes with **Xcode 27**, which runs only on Macs with Apple silicon and needs macOS Tahoe 26.6 or later. macOS Tahoe 26 is the last release for Intel-based Macs.

Choose the macOS version that runs the Xcode you need now, and plan for the next deadline. Apple's Xcode system requirements page is the reference.

## Manage Xcode versions

Xcode is an app, so you can keep several releases side by side, for example `Xcode-26.app` and `Xcode-27.app` in `/Applications`. Check and switch the active one:

```bash
xcode-select -p
sudo xcode-select -s /Applications/Xcode-26.app
xcodebuild -version
```

**Verify:** `xcodebuild -version` shows the selected release. In CI, set `DEVELOPER_DIR` per job instead of switching globally.

## Keep disk space under control

Every Xcode release and simulator runtime takes many gigabytes:

```bash
df -h /
xcrun simctl list runtimes
xcrun simctl delete unavailable
```

Remove Xcode versions you no longer need, clear old DerivedData in `~/Library/Developer/Xcode/DerivedData` and archives you have uploaded. You can add disk space in the order form or by upgrading the plan.

## When to choose a VDS

Choose a macOS VDS when builds take too long, when you run several simulators or test suites in parallel, when the Mac serves a whole team as CI runner, or when you need tools that start their own virtual machines. More cores shorten compile times, and NVMe storage speeds up indexing.

## Troubleshooting

**Xcode refuses to start or install.** The macOS version is too old for that Xcode. Check Apple's Xcode system requirements and update macOS, or choose a matching Xcode.

**Builds fail with "No space left on device".** Clean simulators and DerivedData as above.

**The Mac is unreachable.** See [server unreachable](/guides/server-unreachable); for Screen Sharing problems, [first steps on a macOS server](/guides/macos-server-first-steps).

## Next steps

- Set up a build machine: [macOS server for iOS CI](/guides/macos-server-for-ios-ci).
- Connect for the first time: [first steps on a macOS server](/guides/macos-server-first-steps).

## Frequently asked questions

### How do I connect to my Mac?

With Screen Sharing, which any VNC client can open, and with Remote Login for SSH and SFTP. Both are in System Settings under General and Sharing, so you can work from Windows, Linux or another Mac.

### Which macOS version should I choose?

The one that runs the Xcode release you need. Xcode 26, required for App Store uploads since 28 April 2026, needs macOS Sequoia 15.6 or later. The order form lists the versions each plan offers.

### Can I run Docker Desktop or the Android emulator?

Not on a macOS VPS, because those tools start their own virtual machines and need nested virtualization. A macOS VDS offers nested virtualization; containers can also run on a Linux VPS next to your Mac.

### Why is Apple Silicon macOS a VPS and not a VDS?

macOS virtual machines on Apple silicon use Apple's Virtualization framework, which does not offer nested virtualization for macOS guests. At HyperDC a VDS always has nested virtualization.

### Can several developers share one Mac?

One person at a time controls the desktop through Screen Sharing, while others can use SSH and CI jobs keep running. For parallel desktop work, give each developer their own Mac.

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Source: <https://hyperdc.com/guides/products/macos-vps>\
Updated: 2026-10-09