Native support for Mac with Apple Silicon (M1 and M2 series)

Native support for Mac with Apple Silicon (M1 and M2 series) - Universal architecture

With the release of the Universal Architecture build, Citrix Workspace app now provides native support for Macs with Apple silicon (M1 and M2 series). The Universal Architecture build can run on any Mac device, irrespective of their processor architecture.

If you are using the x86_64 Intel-based architecture build of Citrix Workspace app for Macs with Apple Silicon (M1 and M2 series), then you must use Rosetta emulation to run the app.

You can download the latest version of Universal Architecture build and x86_64 Intel-based Architecture build at Downloads.

Note:

Citrix will soon deprecate the x86_64 Intel-based Architecture build of Citrix Workspace app. Citrix continue to support Universal Architecture build for both Intel-based Macs and Macs with Apple Silicon (M1 and M2 Series). Keep a look out for an announcement in the Deprecation section.

If you’re using Citrix Workspace app on a Mac running Apple silicon (M1 and M2 series), you must upgrade the HDX RealTime Optimization Pack (RTOP). You can upgrade by installing the HDX RealTime Media Engine 2.9.500 for Mac from the Citrix website at Downloads.

To determine if the Citrix Workspace app is running natively on Apple silicon, open Activity monitor on your Mac. The column title Kind in the CPU tab indicates whether the Workspace app is running on an Apple Silicon or Intel processor.

Activity monitor

Migrating between different builds of Citrix Workspace app

You can migrate Citrix Workspace app from the x86_64 Intel-based Architecture build to the universal architecture build and the other way around.

To migrate between builds, download the latest version of the build at Downloads and do the manual installation. For more information, see Manual install.

Alternatively, you can migrate between builds using the GUI. This option is applicable only for users on Mac with Apple silicon (M1 and M2 series). For more information about migration using the graphical user interface, see Configure Citrix Workspace automatic updates using the graphical user interface.

Note:

Uninstalling the app isn’t required for migrating between builds.

Citrix Virtual Channel SDK

The Citrix Virtual Channel software development kit (VCSDK) supports writing server-side applications and client-side drivers for more virtual channels using the ICA protocol. The server-side virtual channel applications are on Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops servers. If you want to write virtual drivers for other client platforms, contact Citrix Technical support.

The Virtual Channel SDK provides:

  • The Citrix Virtual Driver Application Programming Interface (VDAPI) is used with the virtual channel functions in the Citrix Server API SDK (WFAPI SDK) to create new virtual channels. The virtual channel support provided by VDAPI makes it easy to write your own virtual channels.
  • The Windows Monitoring API, which enhances the visual experience and support for third-party applications integrated with ICA.
  • Working source code for virtual channel sample programs to demonstrate programming techniques.

The Virtual Channel SDK requires the WFAPI SDK to write the server side of the virtual channel.

Load Custom Virtual Channels on Macs with Apple Silicon (M1 and M2 series)

As an end-user, you can load the Custom Virtual Channel SDK (VCSDK) successfully on a Mac with the M1 and M2 chipset. With universal architecture, you must load the VCSDK by recompiling your Custom Virtual Channels using the latest VCSDK on the M1 and M2 chipset device. You can download the universal architecture build from the Virtual Channel SDK 2204 for macOS (Apple silicon) - Universal Architecture section at Downloads.

To load the VCSDK, do the following:

  1. Download Virtual Channel SDK 2204 for macOS from Downloads.
  2. Open your Custom Virtual Channel project in Xcode.
  3. Change your code.
  4. Compile your Custom Virtual Channel to generate the virtual channel bundle.

Test your Virtual Channel Software Development Kit (VCSDK)

If you’re using the Citrix Virtual Channel Software Development Kit (VCSDK), you must customize so your customized virtual channels run correctly. To test your VCSDKs, do the following:

  1. Ensure that all the linked libraries of your customized virtual channels are compiled for Universal Binary.
  2. Change the Project file to support Universal Binary:
    • Open Project > Build Settings.
    • Set Architectures to Standard Architectures.

    Build settings

Examples for the VCSDK can be found inside VCSDK.dmg. These examples support Apple’s Universal macOS Binary that runs natively on both Apple silicon and Intel-based Mac computers. Because it contains executable code for both architectures. You can use these examples as a reference.

Examples of VCSDK

Modernized Citrix Virtual Channel SDK for Citrix Workspace app for Mac

Starting with the 2311 version, the Citrix Virtual Channel Software Development Kit (VCSDK) supports writing server-side applications and client-side drivers for more virtual channels using the ICA protocol. The server-side virtual channel applications are on Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops servers. This version of the SDK supports writing new virtual channels and screen sharing for Citrix Workspace app for Mac.

For more information, see Citrix Virtual Channel SDK for Citrix Workspace app for Mac in the Developer documentation.

Increase in the number of supported virtual channels

Previously, Citrix Workspace app for Mac supported up to 32 virtual channels. Starting with the 2308 version, you can use up to 64 virtual channels in a session.

Native support for Mac with Apple Silicon (M1 and M2 series)