how to download VMware fusion 13 pro on MAC? [FREE, OFFICIAL]

VMware Fusion 13 Pro is available for free for personal use, following Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware, which simplified the licensing model.

This allows you to download the official version from Broadcom’s support portal without cost for non-commercial purposes.

Below is a step-by-step guide to download and install VMware Fusion 13 Pro (version 13.6.3 or later) on your Mac, ensuring you get the free, official release.

Prerequisites

Mac Compatibility:
Intel-based or Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4) Mac.
macOS 12.0 Monterey or later (Sonoma 14 or Sequoia 15 recommended).
Minimum Specs:
4GB RAM (8GB+ recommended).
~750MB for Fusion + 5GB+ per virtual machine.
Internet: Required for download and registration.
Broadcom Account: Needed to access the download portal (free to create).

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Register for a Broadcom Account

Why: VMware downloads now require a Broadcom Support Portal account, even for free personal use.
How:
Visit support.broadcom.com.
Click Register (top-right) or use the direct registration link: https://support.broadcom.com/web/ecx/register.
Fill in your details (name, email, password, etc.).
Verify your email (check spam/junk if needed).
Log in to the portal.

Step 2: Navigate to VMware Fusion Downloads

Access Downloads:
Once logged in, go to the VMware Cloud Foundation division: https://support.broadcom.com/group/ecx/productdownloads?subfamily=VMware%20Fusion.
Or, from the portal homepage:
- Click Products > VMware Cloud Foundation.
- Select VMware Fusion Pro.
Choose Personal Use:
Look for VMware Fusion 13 Pro for Personal Use (e.g., version 13.6.3).
Ensure it’s labeled “for Personal Use” to avoid commercial licensing prompts.

Step 3: Download VMware Fusion

Start Download:
Click the download icon next to the latest version (e.g., VMware-Fusion-13.6.3-xxxxxxxx_universal.dmg).
Agree to Broadcom’s terms and conditions if prompted.
Save File:
Downloads to ~/Downloads by default (file size ~500-700MB).
Note: If the download times out (servers can be slow), retry or check mirrors (verify checksums—see Troubleshooting).

Step 4: Install VMware Fusion

Open the DMG:
In Finder, go to ~/Downloads, double-click VMware-Fusion-13.6.3-xxxxxxxx_universal.dmg.
Run Installer:
Drag the VMware Fusion icon to the Applications folder, or double-click to start.
If macOS warns “application downloaded from the internet,” click Open.
Handle Security Prompts:
If “System Extension Blocked” appears:
- Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security.
- Click Allow for “VMware, Inc.” (may require admin password).
Enter your Mac’s admin password during setup.
License Selection:
At the license key prompt, select Use VMware Fusion for Personal Use (no key needed).
Click Continue to finish.

Step 5: Verify Installation

Launch Fusion:
Open /Applications/VMware Fusion.app.
Agree to the license terms.
Test:
Create a test VM (e.g., select New > Create a custom virtual machine) to ensure it runs without errors.