diff --git a/.github/workflows/ios.yml b/.github/workflows/ios.yml
index 6c0e2eeea0e7..bb84386cc839 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ios.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ios.yml
@@ -56,7 +56,6 @@ jobs:
         -DLIBOMP_OMPT_SUPPORT=OFF \
         -DLIBOMP_USE_HWLOC=OFF \
 
-      MOLTENVK_VERSION: 'v1.2.8'
       NCNN_CMAKE_OPTIONS: |
         -DCMAKE_TOOLCHAIN_FILE=../toolchains/ios.toolchain.cmake \
         -DDEPLOYMENT_TARGET=$IOS_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET \
@@ -144,26 +143,18 @@ jobs:
         sudo cp $GITHUB_WORKSPACE/openmp-install/ios-simulator/include/* $DEVELOPER_DIR/Platforms/iPhoneSimulator.platform/Developer/SDKs/iPhoneSimulator.sdk/usr/include
         sudo cp $GITHUB_WORKSPACE/openmp-install/ios-simulator/lib/libomp.a $DEVELOPER_DIR/Platforms/iPhoneSimulator.platform/Developer/SDKs/iPhoneSimulator.sdk/usr/lib
 
-    - name: moltenvk
-      run: |
-        wget -q https://github.com/KhronosGroup/MoltenVK/releases/download/${{ env.MOLTENVK_VERSION }}/MoltenVK-all.tar
-        tar -xf MoltenVK-all.tar
-
     - name: arm64
       run: |
         mkdir build-arm64 && cd build-arm64
-        cmake ${{ env.NCNN_CMAKE_OPTIONS }} -DPLATFORM=OS64 -DARCHS="arm64" \
-            -DVulkan_LIBRARY=$GITHUB_WORKSPACE/MoltenVK/MoltenVK/static/MoltenVK.xcframework/ios-arm64/libMoltenVK.a ..
+        cmake ${{ env.NCNN_CMAKE_OPTIONS }} -DPLATFORM=OS64 -DARCHS="arm64" ..
         cmake --build . -j 4
     - name: simulator-x86_64
       run: |
         mkdir build-simulator-x86_64 && cd build-simulator-x86_64
-        cmake ${{ env.NCNN_CMAKE_OPTIONS }} -DPLATFORM=SIMULATOR64 -DARCHS="x86_64" \
-            -DVulkan_LIBRARY=$GITHUB_WORKSPACE/MoltenVK/MoltenVK/static/MoltenVK.xcframework/ios-arm64_x86_64-simulator/libMoltenVK.a ..
+        cmake ${{ env.NCNN_CMAKE_OPTIONS }} -DPLATFORM=SIMULATOR64 -DARCHS="x86_64" ..
         cmake --build . -j 4
     - name: simulator-arm64
       run: |
         mkdir build-simulator-arm64 && cd build-simulator-arm64
-        cmake ${{ env.NCNN_CMAKE_OPTIONS }} -DPLATFORM=SIMULATORARM64 -DARCHS="arm64" \
-            -DVulkan_LIBRARY=$GITHUB_WORKSPACE/MoltenVK/MoltenVK/static/MoltenVK.xcframework/ios-arm64_x86_64-simulator/libMoltenVK.a ..
+        cmake ${{ env.NCNN_CMAKE_OPTIONS }} -DPLATFORM=SIMULATORARM64 -DARCHS="arm64" ..
         cmake --build . -j 4
diff --git a/.github/workflows/mac-catalyst.yml b/.github/workflows/mac-catalyst.yml
index cc7ed4ef32aa..9cd820a9868c 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/mac-catalyst.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/mac-catalyst.yml
@@ -56,7 +56,6 @@ jobs:
         -DLIBOMP_OMPT_SUPPORT=OFF \
         -DLIBOMP_USE_HWLOC=OFF \
 
-      MOLTENVK_VERSION: 'v1.2.8'
       NCNN_CMAKE_OPTIONS: |
         -DCMAKE_TOOLCHAIN_FILE=../toolchains/ios.toolchain.cmake \
         -DDEPLOYMENT_TARGET=$MAC_CATALYST_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET \
@@ -128,20 +127,13 @@ jobs:
         sudo cp $GITHUB_WORKSPACE/openmp-install/mac-catalyst/include/* $DEVELOPER_DIR/Platforms/MacOSX.platform/Developer/SDKs/MacOSX.sdk/usr/include
         sudo cp $GITHUB_WORKSPACE/openmp-install/mac-catalyst/lib/libomp.a $DEVELOPER_DIR/Platforms/MacOSX.platform/Developer/SDKs/MacOSX.sdk/usr/lib
 
-    - name: moltenvk
-      run: |
-        wget -q https://github.com/KhronosGroup/MoltenVK/releases/download/${{ env.MOLTENVK_VERSION }}/MoltenVK-all.tar
-        tar -xf MoltenVK-all.tar
-
     - name: x86_64
       run: |
         mkdir build-x86_64 && cd build-x86_64
-        cmake ${{ env.NCNN_CMAKE_OPTIONS }} -DPLATFORM=MAC_CATALYST -DARCHS="x86_64" \
-            -DVulkan_LIBRARY=$GITHUB_WORKSPACE/MoltenVK/MoltenVK/static/MoltenVK.xcframework/ios-arm64_x86_64-maccatalyst/libMoltenVK.a ..
+        cmake ${{ env.NCNN_CMAKE_OPTIONS }} -DPLATFORM=MAC_CATALYST -DARCHS="x86_64" ..
         cmake --build . -j 4
     - name: arm64
       run: |
         mkdir build-arm64 && cd build-arm64
-        cmake ${{ env.NCNN_CMAKE_OPTIONS }} -DPLATFORM=MAC_CATALYST_ARM64 -DARCHS="arm64" \
-            -DVulkan_LIBRARY=$GITHUB_WORKSPACE/MoltenVK/MoltenVK/static/MoltenVK.xcframework/ios-arm64_x86_64-maccatalyst/libMoltenVK.a ..
+        cmake ${{ env.NCNN_CMAKE_OPTIONS }} -DPLATFORM=MAC_CATALYST_ARM64 -DARCHS="arm64" ..
         cmake --build . -j 4
diff --git a/.github/workflows/macos.yml b/.github/workflows/macos.yml
index be67c7fadfa5..d209ec166403 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/macos.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/macos.yml
@@ -64,7 +64,6 @@ jobs:
         -DLIBOMP_OMPT_SUPPORT=OFF \
         -DLIBOMP_USE_HWLOC=OFF \
 
-      MOLTENVK_VERSION: 'v1.2.8'
       NCNN_CMAKE_OPTIONS: |
         -DCMAKE_TOOLCHAIN_FILE=../toolchains/ios.toolchain.cmake \
         -DDEPLOYMENT_TARGET=$MAC_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET \
@@ -158,43 +157,34 @@ jobs:
         cd swiftshader
         mkdir -p build; cd build
         cmake -DCMAKE_POLICY_VERSION_MINIMUM=3.5 -DCMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX=install -DSWIFTSHADER_BUILD_EGL=FALSE -DSWIFTSHADER_BUILD_GLESv2=FALSE -DSWIFTSHADER_BUILD_GLES_CM=FALSE -DSWIFTSHADER_BUILD_VULKAN=TRUE -DSWIFTSHADER_BUILD_PVR=FALSE -DSWIFTSHADER_BUILD_TESTS=FALSE -DSWIFTSHADER_ENABLE_ASTC=FALSE -DSWIFTSHADER_WARNINGS_AS_ERRORS=FALSE -DREACTOR_BACKEND=Subzero -DREACTOR_DEFAULT_OPT_LEVEL=Default -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release ..
-        cmake --build . -j 3
+        cmake --build . -j 4
         mkdir $GITHUB_WORKSPACE/swiftshader-install
         cp Darwin/* $GITHUB_WORKSPACE/swiftshader-install
 
-    - name: moltenvk
-      run: |
-        wget -q https://github.com/KhronosGroup/MoltenVK/releases/download/${{ env.MOLTENVK_VERSION }}/MoltenVK-all.tar
-        tar -xf MoltenVK-all.tar
-
     - name: arm64
       run: |
         mkdir build-arm64 && cd build-arm64
-        cmake ${{ env.NCNN_CMAKE_OPTIONS }} -DPLATFORM=MAC_ARM64 -DARCHS="arm64" \
-            -DVulkan_LIBRARY=$GITHUB_WORKSPACE/MoltenVK/MoltenVK/static/MoltenVK.xcframework/macos-arm64_x86_64/libMoltenVK.a ..
+        cmake ${{ env.NCNN_CMAKE_OPTIONS }} -DPLATFORM=MAC_ARM64 -DARCHS="arm64" ..
         cmake --build . -j 4
     - name: x86_64
       run: |
         mkdir build-x86_64 && cd build-x86_64
-        cmake ${{ env.NCNN_CMAKE_OPTIONS }} -DPLATFORM=MAC -DARCHS="x86_64" \
-            -DVulkan_LIBRARY=$GITHUB_WORKSPACE/swiftshader-install/libvulkan.dylib \
-            -DNCNN_BUILD_TESTS=ON ..
+        cmake ${{ env.NCNN_CMAKE_OPTIONS }} -DPLATFORM=MAC -DARCHS="x86_64" -DNCNN_BUILD_TESTS=ON ..
         cmake --build . -j 4
 
     - name: arm64-shared
       run: |
         mkdir build-arm64-shared && cd build-arm64-shared
-        cmake ${{ env.NCNN_CMAKE_OPTIONS }} -DPLATFORM=MAC_ARM64 -DARCHS="arm64" -DNCNN_SHARED_LIB=ON \
-            -DVulkan_LIBRARY=$GITHUB_WORKSPACE/MoltenVK/MoltenVK/dynamic/MoltenVK.xcframework/macos-arm64_x86_64/MoltenVK.framework/MoltenVK ..
+        cmake ${{ env.NCNN_CMAKE_OPTIONS }} -DPLATFORM=MAC_ARM64 -DARCHS="arm64" -DNCNN_SHARED_LIB=ON ..
         cmake --build . -j 4
     - name: x86_64-shared
       run: |
         mkdir build-x86_64-shared && cd build-x86_64-shared
-        cmake ${{ env.NCNN_CMAKE_OPTIONS }} -DPLATFORM=MAC -DARCHS="x86_64" -DNCNN_SHARED_LIB=ON \
-            -DVulkan_LIBRARY=$GITHUB_WORKSPACE/MoltenVK/MoltenVK/dynamic/MoltenVK.xcframework/macos-arm64_x86_64/MoltenVK.framework/MoltenVK ..
+        cmake ${{ env.NCNN_CMAKE_OPTIONS }} -DPLATFORM=MAC -DARCHS="x86_64" -DNCNN_SHARED_LIB=ON ..
         cmake --build . -j 4
 
     - name: x86_64-test
       run: |
         printf "[Processor]\nThreadCount=1\n" > build-x86_64/tests/SwiftShader.ini
+        export VK_ICD_FILENAMES="$GITHUB_WORKSPACE/swiftshader-install/vk_swiftshader_icd.json"
         cd build-x86_64 && ctest --output-on-failure -j 4
diff --git a/.github/workflows/release-python.yml b/.github/workflows/release-python.yml
index 5eb705e38309..e19eacd65b0c 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release-python.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release-python.yml
@@ -220,9 +220,9 @@ jobs:
     - name: vulkansdk for macos
       if: matrix.os == 'macos-15-intel'
       run: |
-        wget https://sdk.lunarg.com/sdk/download/1.3.290.0/mac/vulkansdk-macos-1.3.290.0.dmg?Human=true -O vulkansdk-macos-1.3.290.0.dmg
-        hdiutil attach vulkansdk-macos-1.3.290.0.dmg
-        sudo /Volumes/vulkansdk-macos-1.3.290.0/InstallVulkan.app/Contents/MacOS/InstallVulkan --root $GITHUB_WORKSPACE/vulkansdk-macos-1.3.290.0 --accept-licenses --default-answer --confirm-command install
+        wget https://sdk.lunarg.com/sdk/download/1.4.335.1/mac/vulkansdk-macos-1.4.335.1.zip?Human=true -O vulkansdk-macos-1.4.335.1.zip
+        unzip vulkansdk-macos-1.4.335.1.zip
+        sudo vulkansdk-macOS-1.4.335.1.app/Contents/MacOS/vulkansdk-macOS-1.4.335.1 --root $GITHUB_WORKSPACE/vulkansdk-macos-1.4.335.1 --accept-licenses --default-answer --confirm-command install
 
     - name: Build wheels for macos x86_64
       if: matrix.os == 'macos-15-intel' && matrix.arch == 'x86_64'
@@ -238,7 +238,7 @@ jobs:
           OpenMP_C_FLAGS="-Xclang -fopenmp" OpenMP_CXX_FLAGS="-Xclang -fopenmp"
           OpenMP_C_LIB_NAMES="libomp" OpenMP_CXX_LIB_NAMES="libomp"
           OpenMP_libomp_LIBRARY="libomp.a"
-          Vulkan_LIBRARY=$GITHUB_WORKSPACE/vulkansdk-macos-1.3.290.0/macOS/lib/libMoltenVK.dylib
+          Vulkan_LIBRARY=$GITHUB_WORKSPACE/vulkansdk-macos-1.4.335.1/macOS/lib/libMoltenVK.dylib
           MACOSX_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET=$MAC_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET
       with:
         output-dir: wheelhouse
@@ -257,7 +257,7 @@ jobs:
           OpenMP_C_FLAGS="-Xclang -fopenmp" OpenMP_CXX_FLAGS="-Xclang -fopenmp"
           OpenMP_C_LIB_NAMES="libomp" OpenMP_CXX_LIB_NAMES="libomp"
           OpenMP_libomp_LIBRARY="libomp.a"
-          Vulkan_LIBRARY=$GITHUB_WORKSPACE/vulkansdk-macos-1.3.290.0/macOS/lib/libMoltenVK.dylib
+          Vulkan_LIBRARY=$GITHUB_WORKSPACE/vulkansdk-macos-1.4.335.1/macOS/lib/libMoltenVK.dylib
           MACOSX_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET=$MAC_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET
       with:
         output-dir: wheelhouse
diff --git a/.github/workflows/tvos.yml b/.github/workflows/tvos.yml
index c2a94bb7ee49..5d22cb3cc73e 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tvos.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tvos.yml
@@ -56,7 +56,6 @@ jobs:
         -DLIBOMP_OMPT_SUPPORT=OFF \
         -DLIBOMP_USE_HWLOC=OFF \
 
-      MOLTENVK_VERSION: 'v1.2.8'
       NCNN_CMAKE_OPTIONS: |
         -DCMAKE_TOOLCHAIN_FILE=../toolchains/ios.toolchain.cmake \
         -DDEPLOYMENT_TARGET=$TVOS_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET \
@@ -155,32 +154,23 @@ jobs:
         sudo cp $GITHUB_WORKSPACE/openmp-install/tvos-simulator/include/* $DEVELOPER_DIR/Platforms/AppleTVSimulator.platform/Developer/SDKs/AppleTVSimulator.sdk/usr/include
         sudo cp $GITHUB_WORKSPACE/openmp-install/tvos-simulator/lib/libomp.a $DEVELOPER_DIR/Platforms/AppleTVSimulator.platform/Developer/SDKs/AppleTVSimulator.sdk/usr/lib
 
-    - name: moltenvk
-      run: |
-        wget -q https://github.com/KhronosGroup/MoltenVK/releases/download/${{ env.MOLTENVK_VERSION }}/MoltenVK-all.tar
-        tar -xf MoltenVK-all.tar
-
     - name: arm64
       run: |
         mkdir build-arm64 && cd build-arm64
-        cmake ${{ env.NCNN_CMAKE_OPTIONS }} -DPLATFORM=TVOS -DARCHS="arm64" \
-            -DVulkan_LIBRARY=$GITHUB_WORKSPACE/MoltenVK/MoltenVK/static/MoltenVK.xcframework/tvos-arm64_arm64e/libMoltenVK.a ..
+        cmake ${{ env.NCNN_CMAKE_OPTIONS }} -DPLATFORM=TVOS -DARCHS="arm64" ..
         cmake --build . -j 4
     - name: arm64e
       run: |
         mkdir build-arm64e && cd build-arm64e
-        cmake ${{ env.NCNN_CMAKE_OPTIONS }} -DPLATFORM=TVOS -DARCHS="arm64e" \
-            -DVulkan_LIBRARY=$GITHUB_WORKSPACE/MoltenVK/MoltenVK/static/MoltenVK.xcframework/tvos-arm64_arm64e/libMoltenVK.a ..
+        cmake ${{ env.NCNN_CMAKE_OPTIONS }} -DPLATFORM=TVOS -DARCHS="arm64e" ..
         cmake --build . -j 4
     - name: simulator-x86_64
       run: |
         mkdir build-simulator-x86_64 && cd build-simulator-x86_64
-        cmake ${{ env.NCNN_CMAKE_OPTIONS }} -DPLATFORM=SIMULATOR_TVOS -DARCHS="x86_64" \
-            -DVulkan_LIBRARY=$GITHUB_WORKSPACE/MoltenVK/MoltenVK/static/MoltenVK.xcframework/tvos-arm64_x86_64-simulator/libMoltenVK.a ..
+        cmake ${{ env.NCNN_CMAKE_OPTIONS }} -DPLATFORM=SIMULATOR_TVOS -DARCHS="x86_64" ..
         cmake --build . -j 4
     - name: simulator-arm64
       run: |
         mkdir build-simulator-arm64 && cd build-simulator-arm64
-        cmake ${{ env.NCNN_CMAKE_OPTIONS }} -DPLATFORM=SIMULATORARM64_TVOS -DARCHS="arm64" \
-            -DVulkan_LIBRARY=$GITHUB_WORKSPACE/MoltenVK/MoltenVK/static/MoltenVK.xcframework/tvos-arm64_x86_64-simulator/libMoltenVK.a ..
+        cmake ${{ env.NCNN_CMAKE_OPTIONS }} -DPLATFORM=SIMULATORARM64_TVOS -DARCHS="arm64" ..
         cmake --build . -j 4
diff --git a/.github/workflows/visionos.yml b/.github/workflows/visionos.yml
index b84f58358389..843a1fe0eaa4 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/visionos.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/visionos.yml
@@ -63,9 +63,12 @@ jobs:
         -DOpenMP_C_FLAGS="-Xclang -fopenmp" -DOpenMP_CXX_FLAGS="-Xclang -fopenmp" \
         -DOpenMP_C_LIB_NAMES="libomp" -DOpenMP_CXX_LIB_NAMES="libomp" \
         -DOpenMP_libomp_LIBRARY="libomp.a" \
+        -DNCNN_VULKAN=ON \
 
     steps:
     - uses: actions/checkout@v6
+      with:
+        submodules: true
 
     - name: cache-openmp
       id: cache-openmp
diff --git a/docs/developer-guide/vulkan-driver-loader.md b/docs/developer-guide/vulkan-driver-loader.md
index bd0085b4e7a5..5f51736774a4 100644
--- a/docs/developer-guide/vulkan-driver-loader.md
+++ b/docs/developer-guide/vulkan-driver-loader.md
@@ -68,7 +68,9 @@ vulkan-1.dll
 libvulkan.so
 
 #### macOS iOS and other APPLE platforms
-Requires static meltvk driver linking and should always succeed
+libvulkan.dylib
+
+If static moltenvk driver linked, should always succeed
 
 If failed, it will try to find graphics driver object and load it
 
@@ -101,6 +103,11 @@ for 32bit applications
 - /vendor/lib/hw/vulkan.adreno.so
 - /vendor/lib/egl/libGLES_mali.so
 
+#### macOS iOS and other APPLE platforms
+`dlopen()` search for
+- libMoltenVK.dylib
+- libvulkan_kosmickrisp.dylib
+
 ## Load from driver_path
 
 for advanced developer
diff --git a/src/CMakeLists.txt b/src/CMakeLists.txt
index 0f62652f3730..d833e6c55289 100644
--- a/src/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/src/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -273,14 +273,43 @@ endif()
 if(NCNN_VULKAN)
     if(NCNN_SIMPLEVK)
         if(APPLE)
-            # simplevk always use static vulkan linkage on apple platform
-            if(NOT DEFINED Vulkan_LIBRARY)
-                message(WARNING "Vulkan_LIBRARY shall be defined for simplevk static linkage on APPLE platforms")
+            # simplevk use static vulkan linkage on apple platform as fallback
+            if(DEFINED Vulkan_LIBRARY)
+                message(STATUS "simplevk static vulkan linkage as fallback enabled on APPLE platforms")
+                target_link_libraries(ncnn PUBLIC ${Vulkan_LIBRARY})
+
+                # https://github.com/KhronosGroup/MoltenVK/blob/main/Docs/MoltenVK_Runtime_UserGuide.md#optionally-link-to-required-system-libraries
+                if(NOT NCNN_SHARED_LIB)
+                    find_library(Metal NAMES Metal)
+                    find_library(Foundation NAMES Foundation)
+                    find_library(QuartzCore NAMES QuartzCore)
+                    find_library(CoreGraphics NAMES CoreGraphics)
+                    find_library(IOSurface NAMES IOSurface)
+                    list(APPEND vulkan_dependent_LINK_LIBRARIES ${Metal} ${Foundation} ${QuartzCore} ${CoreGraphics} ${IOSurface})
+                    if(CMAKE_SYSTEM_NAME STREQUAL "Darwin")
+                        if(NOT IOS)
+                            find_library(AppKit NAMES AppKit)
+                            list(APPEND vulkan_dependent_LINK_LIBRARIES ${AppKit})
+                        endif()
+                        find_library(IOKit NAMES IOKit)
+                        list(APPEND vulkan_dependent_LINK_LIBRARIES ${IOKit})
+                    endif()
+                    if(IOS OR CMAKE_SYSTEM_NAME STREQUAL "iOS" OR CMAKE_SYSTEM_NAME STREQUAL "tvOS")
+                        find_library(UIKit NAMES UIKit)
+                        list(APPEND vulkan_dependent_LINK_LIBRARIES ${UIKit})
+                    endif()
+                    target_link_libraries(ncnn PRIVATE ${vulkan_dependent_LINK_LIBRARIES})
+                endif()
+
+            else()
+                message(WARNING "Vulkan_LIBRARY shall be defined for simplevk static linkage as fallback on APPLE platforms")
+
+                # link simplevk stub
+                set(SIMPLEVK_TBD "${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/simplevk.tbd")
+                target_link_libraries(ncnn PRIVATE "-Wl,-weak_library,${SIMPLEVK_TBD}")
             endif()
-            target_link_libraries(ncnn PUBLIC ${Vulkan_LIBRARY})
-        else()
-            target_link_libraries(ncnn PRIVATE ${CMAKE_DL_LIBS})
         endif()
+        target_link_libraries(ncnn PRIVATE ${CMAKE_DL_LIBS})
     else()
         find_package(Vulkan QUIET)
         if(NOT Vulkan_FOUND)
@@ -306,30 +335,6 @@ if(NCNN_VULKAN)
         target_link_libraries(ncnn PUBLIC Vulkan::Vulkan)
     endif()
 
-    # Support mac platform static library compilation
-    # https://github.com/KhronosGroup/MoltenVK/blob/main/Docs/MoltenVK_Runtime_UserGuide.md#optionally-link-to-required-system-libraries
-    if(NOT NCNN_SHARED_LIB AND APPLE)
-        find_library(Metal NAMES Metal)
-        find_library(Foundation NAMES Foundation)
-        find_library(QuartzCore NAMES QuartzCore)
-        find_library(CoreGraphics NAMES CoreGraphics)
-        find_library(IOSurface NAMES IOSurface)
-        list(APPEND vulkan_dependent_LINK_LIBRARIES ${Metal} ${Foundation} ${QuartzCore} ${CoreGraphics} ${IOSurface})
-        if(CMAKE_SYSTEM_NAME STREQUAL "Darwin")
-            if(NOT IOS)
-                find_library(AppKit NAMES AppKit)
-                list(APPEND vulkan_dependent_LINK_LIBRARIES ${AppKit})
-            endif()
-            find_library(IOKit NAMES IOKit)
-            list(APPEND vulkan_dependent_LINK_LIBRARIES ${IOKit})
-        endif()
-        if(IOS OR CMAKE_SYSTEM_NAME STREQUAL "iOS" OR CMAKE_SYSTEM_NAME STREQUAL "tvOS")
-            find_library(UIKit NAMES UIKit)
-            list(APPEND vulkan_dependent_LINK_LIBRARIES ${UIKit})
-        endif()
-        target_link_libraries(ncnn PRIVATE ${vulkan_dependent_LINK_LIBRARIES})
-    endif()
-
     # link in-house glslang
     target_include_directories(ncnn PRIVATE $<BUILD_INTERFACE:${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/../>)
     target_link_libraries(ncnn PRIVATE glslang SPIRV)
diff --git a/src/simplevk.cpp b/src/simplevk.cpp
index b1155b8ba835..70a01829be8b 100644
--- a/src/simplevk.cpp
+++ b/src/simplevk.cpp
@@ -27,10 +27,8 @@
 #endif
 
 #if __APPLE__
-
-// always use static vulkan linkage on apple platform
-extern "C" VKAPI_ATTR PFN_vkVoidFunction VKAPI_CALL vkGetInstanceProcAddr(VkInstance instance, const char* pName);
-
+// static vulkan linkage on apple platform as fallback
+extern "C" VKAPI_ATTR PFN_vkVoidFunction VKAPI_CALL vkGetInstanceProcAddr(VkInstance instance, const char* pName) __attribute__((weak_import));
 #endif
 
 namespace ncnn {
@@ -43,28 +41,78 @@ PFN_vkEnumerateInstanceExtensionProperties vkEnumerateInstanceExtensionPropertie
 PFN_vkCreateInstance vkCreateInstance = 0;
 PFN_vkEnumerateInstanceLayerProperties vkEnumerateInstanceLayerProperties = 0;
 
-#if __APPLE__
-
-int load_vulkan_driver(const char* /*driver_path*/)
+static std::string get_driver_path_from_icd(const char* icd_path)
 {
-    unload_vulkan_driver();
+    FILE* fp = fopen(icd_path, "rb");
+    if (!fp)
+        return std::string();
 
-    vkGetInstanceProcAddr = ::vkGetInstanceProcAddr;
-    vkEnumerateInstanceExtensionProperties = (PFN_vkEnumerateInstanceExtensionProperties)vkGetInstanceProcAddr(NULL, "vkEnumerateInstanceExtensionProperties");
-    vkCreateInstance = (PFN_vkCreateInstance)vkGetInstanceProcAddr(NULL, "vkCreateInstance");
-    vkEnumerateInstanceLayerProperties = (PFN_vkEnumerateInstanceLayerProperties)vkGetInstanceProcAddr(NULL, "vkEnumerateInstanceLayerProperties");
-    return 0;
+    std::string driver_path;
+
+    char line[256];
+    while (!feof(fp))
+    {
+        char* s = fgets(line, 256, fp);
+        if (!s)
+            break;
+
+        // "library_path": "path to driver library",
+        char path[256];
+        int nscan = sscanf(line, " \"library_path\" : \"%255[^\"]\"", path);
+        if (nscan == 1)
+        {
+            if (path[0] == '.' || (path[0] != '/' && !strchr(path, ':') && (strchr(path, '/') || strchr(path, '\\'))))
+            {
+                // relative to the icd file path
+                std::string icd_dir = icd_path;
+                size_t dirpos = icd_dir.find_last_of("/\\");
+                if (dirpos != std::string::npos)
+                {
+                    icd_dir = icd_dir.substr(0, dirpos + 1);
+                }
+                else
+                {
+                    icd_dir = "./";
+                }
+
+                driver_path = icd_dir + path;
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                // filename or absolute path
+                driver_path = path;
+            }
+
+            break;
+        }
+    }
+
+    fclose(fp);
+
+    return driver_path;
 }
 
-void unload_vulkan_driver()
+static std::string get_driver_path_from_icd_env()
 {
-    vkGetInstanceProcAddr = 0;
-    vkEnumerateInstanceExtensionProperties = 0;
-    vkCreateInstance = 0;
-    vkEnumerateInstanceLayerProperties = 0;
+    const char* icd_path = getenv("VK_ICD_FILENAMES");
+    if (!icd_path)
+    {
+        icd_path = getenv("VK_DRIVER_FILES");
+        if (!icd_path)
+            return std::string();
+    }
+
+    return get_driver_path_from_icd(icd_path);
 }
 
-#else // __APPLE__
+static std::string get_driver_path_from_ncnn_env()
+{
+    const char* driver_path = getenv("NCNN_VULKAN_DRIVER");
+    if (!driver_path)
+        return std::string();
+
+    return std::string(driver_path);
+}
 
 #if defined _WIN32
 static HMODULE g_libvulkan = 0;
@@ -134,75 +182,6 @@ static hwvulkan_device_t* g_hvkdi = 0;
 #endif
 #endif
 
-static std::string get_driver_path_from_icd(const char* icd_path)
-{
-    FILE* fp = fopen(icd_path, "rb");
-    if (!fp)
-        return std::string();
-
-    std::string driver_path;
-
-    char line[256];
-    while (!feof(fp))
-    {
-        char* s = fgets(line, 256, fp);
-        if (!s)
-            break;
-
-        // "library_path": "path to driver library",
-        char path[256];
-        int nscan = sscanf(line, " \"library_path\" : \"%255[^\"]\"", path);
-        if (nscan == 1)
-        {
-            if (path[0] == '.' || (path[0] != '/' && !strchr(path, ':') && (strchr(path, '/') || strchr(path, '\\'))))
-            {
-                // relative to the icd file path
-                std::string icd_dir = icd_path;
-                size_t dirpos = icd_dir.find_last_of("/\\");
-                if (dirpos != std::string::npos)
-                {
-                    icd_dir = icd_dir.substr(0, dirpos + 1);
-                }
-                else
-                {
-                    icd_dir = "./";
-                }
-
-                driver_path = icd_dir + path;
-            }
-            else
-            {
-                // filename or absolute path
-                driver_path = path;
-            }
-
-            break;
-        }
-    }
-
-    fclose(fp);
-
-    return driver_path;
-}
-
-static std::string get_driver_path_from_icd_env()
-{
-    const char* icd_path = getenv("VK_ICD_FILENAMES");
-    if (!icd_path)
-        return std::string();
-
-    return get_driver_path_from_icd(icd_path);
-}
-
-static std::string get_driver_path_from_ncnn_env()
-{
-    const char* driver_path = getenv("NCNN_VULKAN_DRIVER");
-    if (!driver_path)
-        return std::string();
-
-    return std::string(driver_path);
-}
-
 #if defined _WIN32
 static std::string search_file(const std::string& dirpath, const std::string& needle)
 {
@@ -305,12 +284,14 @@ static int load_vulkan_linux(const char* driver_path)
 #endif
 
     void* libvulkan = dlopen(libpath, RTLD_LOCAL | RTLD_NOW);
-#if !__APPLE__
     if (!libvulkan)
     {
+#if __APPLE__
+        libvulkan = dlopen("libvulkan.1.dylib", RTLD_LOCAL | RTLD_NOW);
+#else
         libvulkan = dlopen("libvulkan.so.1", RTLD_LOCAL | RTLD_NOW);
-    }
 #endif
+    }
     if (!libvulkan)
     {
         NCNN_LOGE("dlopen failed %s", dlerror());
@@ -356,6 +337,23 @@ static int load_vulkan_linux(const char* driver_path)
     return 0;
 }
 
+#if __APPLE__
+static int load_vulkan_apple_moltenvk()
+{
+    if (::vkGetInstanceProcAddr == NULL)
+    {
+        NCNN_LOGE("no static linked moltenvk");
+        return -1;
+    }
+
+    vkGetInstanceProcAddr = ::vkGetInstanceProcAddr;
+    vkEnumerateInstanceExtensionProperties = (PFN_vkEnumerateInstanceExtensionProperties)vkGetInstanceProcAddr(NULL, "vkEnumerateInstanceExtensionProperties");
+    vkCreateInstance = (PFN_vkCreateInstance)vkGetInstanceProcAddr(NULL, "vkCreateInstance");
+    vkEnumerateInstanceLayerProperties = (PFN_vkEnumerateInstanceLayerProperties)vkGetInstanceProcAddr(NULL, "vkEnumerateInstanceLayerProperties");
+    return 0;
+}
+#endif // __APPLE__
+
 #if defined __ANDROID__
 static int load_vulkan_android(const char* driver_path)
 {
@@ -539,6 +537,11 @@ int load_vulkan_driver(const char* driver_path)
             "/vendor/lib/egl/libGLES_mali.so"
 #endif
         };
+#elif __APPLE__
+        const char* well_known_path[] = {
+            "libMoltenVK.dylib",
+            "libvulkan_kosmickrisp.dylib"
+        };
 #else
         const char* well_known_path[] = {
             "libGLX_nvidia.so.0",
@@ -569,6 +572,13 @@ int load_vulkan_driver(const char* driver_path)
                 break;
         }
     }
+#if __APPLE__
+    if (ret != 0)
+    {
+        // sixth try, load from static linked moltenvk
+        ret = load_vulkan_apple_moltenvk();
+    }
+#endif // __APPLE__
 
     return ret;
 }
@@ -606,8 +616,6 @@ void unload_vulkan_driver()
 #endif // _WIN32
 }
 
-#endif // __APPLE__
-
 } // namespace ncnn
 
 #endif // NCNN_SIMPLEVK
diff --git a/src/simplevk.tbd b/src/simplevk.tbd
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..6ef26d02c9e2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/simplevk.tbd
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+--- !tapi-tbd
+tbd-version:     4
+targets:         [ x86_64-macos, arm64-macos, arm64e-macos,
+                   arm64-ios, arm64e-ios, x86_64-ios-simulator, arm64-ios-simulator,
+                   x86_64-maccatalyst, arm64-maccatalyst, arm64e-maccatalyst,
+                   arm64-tvos, arm64e-tvos, x86_64-tvos-simulator, arm64-tvos-simulator,
+                   arm64-xros, x86_64-xros-simulator, arm64-xros-simulator ]
+install-name:    '@rpath/libvulkan.dylib'
+exports:
+  - targets:     [ x86_64-macos, arm64-macos, arm64e-macos,
+                   arm64-ios, arm64e-ios, x86_64-ios-simulator, arm64-ios-simulator,
+                   x86_64-maccatalyst, arm64-maccatalyst, arm64e-maccatalyst,
+                   arm64-tvos, arm64e-tvos, x86_64-tvos-simulator, arm64-tvos-simulator,
+                   arm64-xros, x86_64-xros-simulator, arm64-xros-simulator ]
+    symbols:     [ _vkGetInstanceProcAddr ]
+...