Can You Play Elden Ring on Mac?
As of February 2026, you cannot play Elden Ring on a Mac in any official, native capacity. The game was developed by FromSoftware for Windows, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms. There is no Mac version available for purchase or download from any official store, including the Mac App Store or Steam for macOS. Playing it requires using Windows compatibility software, which results in a poor, often unplayable experience on Apple Silicon Macs.
Compatibility Status Explanation
Elden Ring is officially incompatible with macOS. FromSoftware has not released a native Apple Silicon or Intel Mac version. The only way to attempt to run it is through translation and compatibility layers like Apple's Game Porting Toolkit or third-party software such as CrossOver. These tools translate the game's Windows instructions for macOS, but this process is extremely demanding for Elden Ring. The game uses advanced graphics technologies like DirectX 12 that are not well supported by these translation layers. This leads to severe performance problems, graphical errors, and frequent crashes. The current status is best described as unplayable for a meaningful experience.
Performance on Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3, M4)
Performance is universally poor across all Apple Silicon chips, from M1 to the latest M4. The core issue is not raw chip power, but the inefficiency of translating the game's complex code in real time.
- M1/M2 Macs: The game may launch but typically runs at very low frame rates, often below 15 frames per second, even at low resolutions. Severe graphical glitches and crashes are expected.
- M3/M4 Macs: While these chips have more powerful GPUs, the fundamental compatibility barrier remains. Performance might see a slight uplift, but it is still far from a stable 30 frames per second. The game remains plagued by the same graphical artifacts and instability. The advanced ray tracing features in the game are completely non functional through compatibility software.
Attempting to run Elden Ring this way pushes the Mac's hardware to its limits due to the translation overhead, generating significant heat and fan noise without delivering acceptable results. It is not a viable way to play.
Installation Steps
Installation involves setting up a Windows compatibility environment. This is a complex technical process with no guarantee of success. The primary method uses Apple's own Game Porting Toolkit, which is a developer tool not intended for consumers. You must have the Windows version of Elden Ring, typically purchased on Steam or another PC store. The steps involve installing command line tools, running scripts, and configuring the compatibility layer to point to the game's files. It is not a simple install like a native Mac app. Errors during setup are very common, and the game often fails to launch even after a correct installation.
Tips for a Better Experience
Given the unplayable state, the only real tip is to manage expectations. If you proceed for testing purposes, consider the following.
- Ensure your Mac has ample free storage, at least 100GB, for the game and compatibility software.
- Close all other applications to dedicate all system resources to the translation process.
- Set all in game graphics settings to their absolute lowest values, including setting the resolution to 720p.
- Be prepared for the game to crash frequently. Save progress is not guaranteed to work correctly.
- Understand that online features, including multiplayer and invasions, will almost certainly not work.
Common Issues
Users attempting to run Elden Ring on a Mac will encounter multiple consistent problems.
- Failure to Launch: The game may not start at all, hanging or showing an error message.
- Extremely Low Frame Rate: Gameplay is a slideshow, with frame rates in the single digits or low teens.
- Graphical Glitches: Missing textures, flickering shadows, corrupted models, and a lack of lighting are standard.
- Crashes to Desktop: The game will crash often, especially during loading screens or area transitions.
- No Audio or Corrupted Audio: Sound may cut out entirely or play distorted.
- Controller Problems: Even if connected, gamepad input may not register correctly or at all.
- Overheating: The Mac will run very hot as the CPU and GPU are maxed out by the translation process.
In summary, Elden Ring is not a game you can play on your Mac in 2025. The technical hurdles are too great. The only reliable way to play it is on its officially supported platforms: a Windows PC, PlayStation 5, or Xbox Series X/S.
