Repair shop software for Mac: run the whole counter on the Intel Mac you already have

Repair shop software for Mac should let a phone, computer or console repair shop use the Mac already sitting in the shop — an Intel iMac at the counter, a Mac mini under the desk, an older MacBook Pro that just got replaced — with no new server, no monthly login and no cloud account. The question is how to turn that Mac into a reliable repair system that every device in the shop can reach.

This guide explains what to look for, how to tell if your Mac can run it, how setup works with the free VirtualBox software, and how to keep the system running day after day. RepairAmigo is used as the example: it is free, Made in Texas, and built inside a busy repair shop that has processed more than 50,000 repair tickets.

What repair shop software for Mac should mean

"Works on Mac" can mean very different things. For a repair counter it should mean:

1. Runs on a Mac in the shop, not only in a Safari tab pointed at someone else's server.
2. One install, many devices. The front counter, the bench and the manager's phone all open the same system in a browser.
3. Tickets, parts inventory and cash POS in one place — intake to pickup on the same ticket.
4. Owner, Manager and Technician roles so staff only touch what they should.
5. Your data on your computer, with a simple way to back it up and move it.
6. No ticket or user limits that push you into a bigger plan after a busy month.

If a tool only works while the internet is up and your records live on a vendor's server, it is cloud software that happens to open on a Mac. See self-hosted repair shop software for that difference.

Intel Mac or Apple Silicon: check this first

RepairAmigo runs on Intel Macs. Apple Silicon Macs (M1, M2, M3 and later) are not supported as the computer that runs the VM. Check before you download:

• Click the Apple menu → About This Mac.
• If it lists a Processor with Intel in the name, the Mac can run RepairAmigo.
• If it lists a Chip such as Apple M1 or Apple M2, it is Apple Silicon. Run the VM on a Windows PC, a Linux computer or an Intel Mac instead.

An Apple Silicon Mac can still be a counter device. Once the VM runs on a supported computer, any Mac, iPhone or iPad on the shop network opens RepairAmigo in a browser. For the Windows route, see repair shop software for Windows.

Why RepairAmigo runs as a VM on your Mac

RepairAmigo does not install like a normal Mac app. It runs as a VirtualBox virtual machine (VM) on your Intel Mac. Inside that VM is a locked-down Linux system that serves RepairAmigo to your shop network.

That design has practical advantages for a repair shop:

• It stays on your shop network. No ports to open on your router.
• It is separate from everything else on the Mac, because RepairAmigo runs inside its own locked-down Linux system, not as a Mac app.
• Back up the entire VM and run it on another computer as easily as you installed it.
• Remote support stays off until you click Allow.

More detail is in why a local Linux VM is safer.

What your Intel Mac needs

Use a Mac that can stay on during business hours and has some room to spare:

• Memory: RepairAmigo requires 8 GB (8192 MB) of RAM for the VM, so the Mac needs 8 GB free on top of what macOS and your other apps use. A Mac with only 8 GB in total is not enough. Do not lower the VM's memory.
• Processor: the VM is set to 8 CPUs, so a multi-core Intel processor works best.
• Storage: keep the VM on an SSD. Older iMacs with a spinning hard drive or a Fusion Drive will feel slow.
• Virtualization: Intel Macs have it built in, so there is no BIOS setting to change.
• Network: a wired connection to the shop network is best. Every device that uses RepairAmigo must be on the same shop network, not a guest Wi-Fi.

The same VM also runs on Windows and Linux computers.

Setting it up on an Intel Mac

Setup takes a few short steps, all covered in the setup guide:

1. Download RepairAmigo.ova from the download page.
2. Install the free VirtualBox software for macOS on Intel. If macOS says system software from Oracle was blocked, open System Settings → Privacy & Security, click Allow, and restart if asked.
3. In VirtualBox, choose File → Import Appliance…, pick RepairAmigo.ova, then Next and Finish.
4. Select RepairAmigo and click Start. If VirtualBox asks about the bridged network adapter, click OK. If it can't find the network card, open Settings → Network and choose the Mac's active connection (usually Ethernet or Wi-Fi) in Name.
5. After a minute or two, the VM screen shows its IP address. Open that address in a browser to run Setup and create the Owner account.

The VM ships with demo data so you can explore first. When you are ready to go live, the Owner can wipe it — see remove demo data (Owner data reset).

Using it from every device in the shop

Once the VM is running, nobody needs to sit at the Mac to use RepairAmigo. Open the VM's address in Safari, Chrome or any browser on a computer, tablet or phone on the shop network, sign in, and bookmark it (or "Add to Home Screen" on an iPhone or iPad).

• The front counter does intake by the customer's phone number and prints a receipt — see repair ticketing system.
• Technicians update the repair performed, a status and comments from the bench.
• Parts deduct from inventory when the repair is saved — see repair shop inventory management.
• The cash POS closes the ticket at pickup — see point of sale for phone repair shops.

Keeping the Mac running day to day

A few Mac habits keep the system fast and reachable:

• Headless Start: start the VM with Headless Start so it keeps running in the background after you close the VirtualBox Manager.
• Stay awake: the Mac must stay on and awake during business hours. In System Settings, turn on the option that keeps the Mac from sleeping automatically when the display is off (on a MacBook, while it is on the power adapter).
• Leave the lid open or keep power connected on a MacBook, so it does not sleep in the middle of the day.
• Same address every day: set a DHCP reservation on your router so the VM keeps the same IP and bookmarks keep working.
• No VPN on the counter devices while using RepairAmigo on the shop network.

Backups and moving to another computer

Back up the entire VM and run it on another computer as easily as you installed it. That also makes replacing an aging Intel Mac simple — the same VM can move to a Windows PC or Linux computer.

More in backing up repair shop data.

Quick checklist

• The Mac is an Intel Mac (Apple menu → About This Mac shows an Intel processor).
• The Mac has 8 GB of RAM free for the VM and the VM is on an SSD.
• VirtualBox is installed, Oracle is allowed in Privacy & Security, and RepairAmigo.ova is imported.
• The network adapter is bridged, and devices are on the shop network, not guest Wi-Fi.
• The VM starts with Headless Start and the Mac never sleeps during business hours.
• The VM has a DHCP reservation so bookmarks keep working.
• Every counter device has RepairAmigo bookmarked.
• Demo data is wiped before the first real ticket.
• You can back up the entire VM and run it on another computer as easily as you installed it.

How RepairAmigo helps

RepairAmigo is free repair shop software for Intel Macs, built for cell phone, computer and console repair shops. It was built inside a busy repair shop that has processed more than 50,000 repair tickets. Made in Texas.

• Runs on your Intel Mac. RepairAmigo is a self-hosted VirtualBox VM on a Windows, Linux or Intel Mac computer. Your team uses it from any browser on the shop network, on desktop or mobile. Data stays on your own computer and network.
• Tickets, inventory and POS. Smart intake by phone number. Technicians record the repair performed, a status and comments. Parts deduct when a repair is saved. Built-in cash POS at pickup. Warranty link per repair. Optional one-way customer texts through your own Twilio account.
• Roles. Owner, Manager and Technician logins. No ticket or user limits.
• Your data. Back up the entire VM and run it on another computer as easily as you installed it.

A full Spanish edition is available, along with Portuguese and Hindi editions. Questions? Email support@repairamigo.com. See also cell phone repair shop software, repair shop management system or free repair shop software.

Download RepairAmigo free or read the setup guide.

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