Previously I run ArcGIS Pro 2.9.5 on my Macbook Pro M1. It runs pretty smoothly and I can finish my GIS works using my M1 Macbook Pro. And today, I upgraded my ArcGIS Pro to version 3.1. I am going to share with you how I managed to run this latest ArcGIS Pro 3.1 on my M1 Mac. If you are planning to install the latest version 3.1, there are a couple of things that we need to prepare.
ArcGIS Pro 3.1 requires NET Framework 6.0.5 and newer to run. By default, Windows 10 or Windows 11 does not ship with this new framework. If you install ArcGIS Pro 3.1 without installing the supported NET Framework, this program will not work properly. In my case, nothing happen after I clicked the ArcGIS Pro program shortcut.
Tips Running ArcGIS Pro 3.1 on Macbook Pro M1 or M2
These tips only applied to Apple Silicon Mac users. If you have Intel-powered Mac, I would recommend using Bootcamp rather than Parallels Desktop/virtualization.
Steps to Install ArcGIS Pro 3.1 on Macbook Pro M1 and M2
- Install Parallels Desktop
- Create and Install Windows 11 virtual machine on Parallels
- Download ArcGIS Pro 3.1 installer
- Install NET Framework 6.0.5 or newer
- Install ArcGIS Pro 3.1
Step 1. Install Parallels Desktop
Parallels Desktop is the best way to run the Windows operating system on top of the Apple Silicon Mac. It has many features we need to run Windows on Mac smoothly. The main feature that we love is Coherence. With this feature, the Windows OS will merge and blend with macOS. Any Windows app that we open, will look like a Mac app in the Dock. You can download the latest version of Parallels Desktop from the link below.
Step 2. Create and Install Windows 11 VM
I am not going to write the steps of installing Windows 11 VM on Parallels. It should be straightforward to install Windows 11 on Parallels. Please note that since we use M1 or M2 Mac, the Windows 11 ARM will be installed. If you really need a guide, please follow the steps below to install Windows 11 on Parallels Desktop.
https://kb.parallels.com/en/125375
Step 3. Download ArcGIS Pro 3.1
In order to download ArcGIS Pro 3.1, you will need a valid license. And then, you can download the installer from your ESRI page.
4. Install NET Framework 6.0.5 or later
Please do not skip this step. Download the latest NET Desktop Runtime. Open the website below, and then choose the x64 version, not the ARM one.
https://dotnet.microsoft.com/en-us/download/dotnet/6.0
Step 5. Install ArcGIS Pro 3.1
Now, we are ready to install ArcGIS Pro 3.1. Everything should be fine and ready for use in a few minutes.
Bottom Line
Running ArcGIS Pro via Parallels Desktop is the only way we can achieve if we have Apple Silicon Mac. Speaking of performance, the ArcGIS Pro running on an M1 Mac is great. Not as fast as if it runs on a Windows machine but it is very usable. I can use it to make my work done.
jwach
May 6, 2023Thanks for this tutorial. One question: why do you recommend installing NET Desktop Runtime?
Before finding your tutorial, I had already installed Windows 11 and ArcGIS Pro on my M1 Mac and it works ok, although a little slow.
Thanks!
admin
May 6, 2023To be honest I dont know the exact reason why choosing the net desktop runtime. But, for the Arc Pro version 3.0 and up it requires the net runtime version 6.0 or newer.
Anthony
July 4, 2023Thanks! I mistakenly installed the .net runtime for arm64 and arcgis pro wouldn’t start. Using the x64 version worked 🙂
Cate
October 10, 2023Thank you very much 🙂 !! I first installed .net runtime 6.04 for Arm64 (Macbook Pro M2, Ventura, Parallels Desktop 19) and Arcgis Pro didn’t open. Then installed the x64 version and it worked. There was no need to reinstall ArcGIS Pro.