When a suspended Linux virtual machine is moved from an older Apple silicon Mac (M1, M2, or M3) to an M4, the virtual machine may hang during startup. This issue is specific to Linux machines only.
This issue is caused by a bug in certain Linux kernels that affects compatibility between virtual machines suspended on older Apple silicon Macs and resumed on newer M4 or later Macs.
Update: This issue has been addressed in Linux kernels 6.6 and higher.
Workarounds:
There are two main workarounds for this issue, depending on whether you have already migrated the virtual machine:
1. Preventing the Issue (Before Migration):
If you are planning to migrate a Linux virtual machine from an older Apple silicon Mac to a newer one, the recommended approach is to shut down the virtual machine completely before the migration. This prevents the issue from occurring in the first place.
Alternatively, you can update the Linux kernel within the virtual machine to a version that includes the fix for this bug, see Additional Details on Linux Kernels below.
2. Resolving the Issue (After Migration):
If you have already migrated the virtual machine, and it is now hanging, follow these steps:
- Take a snapshot of the virtual machine. This is crucial for preserving your data in case the reset process encounters any issues.
- Reset the virtual machine. This will effectively restart the virtual machine and resolve the issue.
Additional Details on Linux Kernels:
The bug causing this issue exists in a range of Linux kernels. The fix was implemented upstream on December 3, 2024. Therefore, if you choose to update your kernel as a preventative measure, ensure that the version you install was released after this date.
It's also possible that the fix has been backported into Long Term Support kernels. However, we cannot provide specific information about backports, as this depends on individual Linux distributions. Consult your distribution vendor's documentation or support channels for details on specific kernel versions and backports.
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