Hello everyone, before we go any further, please note that ArcGIS Pro is a Windows software and there is no way to install and run it natively on a Mac. This article is a workaround for how to run ArcGIS Pro 2.9 on my Macbook Pro M1. If Mac is the only device that you have, then you can follow this guide to run ArcGIS Pro on Mac. It will not be installed natively, but we will utilize the virtualization software, Parallels Desktop.
If you are new to Parallels Desktop. Parallels Desktop is a virtualization software for macOS that allows users to run Windows and other operating systems within a virtual machine on their Mac computer. With Parallels Desktop, users can seamlessly switch between macOS and other operating systems, as well as share files and applications between them. Parallels Desktop also offers features such as support for DirectX and OpenGL graphics, integration with Apple’s Touch Bar, and the ability to run virtual machines on external displays. It is a popular choice for Mac users who need to run Windows or other operating systems for work or personal use.
Steps to Run ArcGIS Pro on Macbook Pro
Step 1. Download and install Parallels Desktop
You can download Parallels Desktop from the Parallels website or from the Mac App Store. The website version may have additional features not available on the App Store version, so you might want to consider which version is best for you.
Step 2. Create Windows 11 VM on Parallels Desktop
I will not explain the steps to install Windows 11 VM on Parallels Desktop. For M1 and M2 Mac users, you will need the Windows 11 ARM version.
Step 3. Install ArcGIS Pro
I tried to install ArcGIS Pro 3.0 on the Windows 11 ARM version. The installation went well but when I tried to open the program, nothing happened. The ArcGIS Pro 3.0 did not open. So, finally, I installed ArcGIS Pro version 2.9 and it worked.
There are no special settings applied to the installation. I installed it just like installing a Windows program as usual.
Conclusion
If you own Macbook with M1 or M2 processor as your daily driver, and you need ArcGIS Pro, then you can use this solution. Apple Silicon has good processing and GPU performance. I can run ArcGIS Pro or Leapfrog on my Macbook Pro M1 smoothly.
[…] ARM as a virtual machine. Even though this is the ARM architecture, it can run x86 software such as ArcGIS Pro 2.9 as well as Leapfrog Geo. This workaround should work as well on M2 […]
Hello sir!
Thank you very much for taking the time to publish the above! Super interesting!
What I found especially interesting was your Leapfrog comment. Are you a geologist too?
I’m at a cross roads. My Macbook Pro is 8 years old and when I upgrade, do I upgrade to the top of the range 14″ Macbook pro max or, do I go something else because it can’t run the software I need
Have you tried other Mining software? Micromine, Deswick, Vulcan etc? These are fairly graphics heavy (like Leapfrog) – I worry that they either won’t open because of graphics incompatibility or are so slow/glitchy that they’re unusable
How smoothly is ‘smoothly’?
What do you think?
Really appreciated!
Tom
Hi Thanks for dropping comment.
So far I can run Oasis Montaj, Lepafrog geo and Arcgis pro. I havent tried micromine because i dont have the dongle.
If we can install and run micromine, i am pretty sure it will run smoothly. M1 or M2 has a decent graphics performance.
Thanks
Thank you for posting!
I’m not convinced it will run Micromine?
The question mark is OpenGL support
From the Micromine website:
“Some integrated or “on-board” graphics cards are not suitable for Micromine Origin & Beyond. For maximum compatibility and performance, you should choose a discrete graphics card that complies with the OpenGL 4.5 standard (or later).”
It doesn’t say it WON’T run, but, hm.
And you’re saying that Leapfrog Geo runs really smoothly? Equal to native?
Thanks again for you help!
Tom
Leapfrog geo runs pretty smoothly. But I cant say it is similar to native performance but from my experience, it is usable, not glitchy. But if I have M1 Max, I think I can boost my virtual machine so it wil improve the overall graphics performance
Copy that sir
Thank you very much for your help!
Tom
Hi, thanks a lot for your publication, it was really helpfull!
I’m currently thinking of purchasing Macbook M2 Pro but have doubts about running the ArcGIS on it. Previously I only used non-apple laptops. Did you experience any troubles with running Parallels and, accordignly, ArcGIS on your Mac M1? Is it running as smooth as on licensed Windows laptops (with appropriate software requirements met).
With best regards,
Hanna
Well, if you compare with Windows, of course it will be slower. But, if you have a powerful Macbook Pro Max for example, it will be very smooth. My M1 Pro 16 inch is usable -and I can use it for work. But again, do not compare with Windows native.
Thank you for such a quick reply!
I was looking at Macbook M2 Pro (not Max), the one with 16gb RAM (12-Core CPU and 19-Core GPU). Or Dell XPS 17 that goes with i7 12700H, 32gb ram, 6gb video card..
Good choice. If ArcGIS Pro is your main software, then Dell is preferable.
Good luck
Thank you so much for a reply!
Cheers,
Hanna
Thank you for your input. I also had the same issue with 3.1 on my M2 Macbook Pro. Then I reverted back to 2.9 and it worked. I later updated to patch 2.9.5 because Arc kept crashing whenever i messed with a layer’s symbology.
Here’s a YouTube video of me operating ArcGIS Pro 2.9 on my laptop. Make sure to later install patch to 2.9.5 to mitigate it crashing when changing symbology.
https://youtu.be/QXtk8Q7UYaY
Works up to the 2.9.10 patch. Just tried it.
This was SUPER helpful. I had no idea ARCGISPro would work on Apple Silicon. Following these instructions and using Parallels 19, everything works very well. Both Windows 11 and ARCGIS Pro are fluid and fast on my M2 MacBook AIR! (M2/2tb SSD/24gbRAM). I only tried AGP 2.9 and haven’t tried 3.1 yet. It should be fairly straightforward to try it.
Someone tried to run Arcgis Desktop (not Pro) on Mx chips? For example version 10.8 or lower. I didn’t find the answer anywhere. How possible do you think this is?
I haven’t tried the non-Pro version of ArcGIS on Mac.
I am running ArcMap 10.8.2 under Parallels 18 on an M1 Pro MacBook Pro with Monterey 12.6.8. It works fine. Unfortunately, ArcGIS Pro does not launch with this configuration.
Make sure you install net framefork version 6.0 or later
I guest the reason ArcGIS Pro 3.0 doesn’t work lies in the lack of dependencies. Try installing the “.NET Desktop Development” in Visual Studio Installer.
My friend meet the same situation today (ArcGIS Pro 3.0 + PD + Mac M2, nothing happens when click the program). I downloaded Visual Studio on her Macbook, installed the “.NET Desktop Development” via Visual Studio Installer. Then it works.
All operation I mentioned are within the PD – Windows 11 ARM
Step 1: Follow the step 1 to 3 in this tutorial, but keep ArcGIS Pro 3.0 installed instead of ArcGIS Pro 2.9.
Step 2: Download and install Visual Studio 2022 Community on the Windows VM.
Step 3: Launch Visual Studio Installer, navigate to “Workloads” tab, add “.NET Desktop Development”.
Step 4: Now you can open your ArcGIS Pro. If the application alerts the lack of .NET framework, install “.NET 6 runtime” in Visual Studio Installer. (navigate to “Individual components” tab)