The Outlast Trials Mac Compatibility Guide (2026)
As of February 2026, The Outlast Trials remains a significant outlier for Mac gamers. This cooperative survival horror title from Red Barrels, released in March 2024, has not received a native Apple Silicon or Intel Mac port. This guide provides a comprehensive, data-driven analysis of its compatibility status, performance, and the current state for Mac users interested in this title.
Official Compatibility Status: Unplayable
The definitive source for compatibility information is the game's official Steam store page. As of February 2026, the System Requirements section lists only Windows (10 and 11) as a supported operating system. There is no mention of macOS, SteamOS, or Linux. This absence of a native Mac version is the primary barrier to playability.
- No Native Binary: The game executable is compiled for x86-64 Windows systems. Apple Silicon Macs (M1, M2, M3, M4 series) use the ARM64 architecture, and Intel Macs run macOS, not Windows. Without a native macOS version, the game cannot be run directly.
- Developer Silence: Red Barrels has not announced any plans for a Mac port. The studio's development focus, as indicated by their post-launch support, has been on content updates and patches exclusively for the Windows version.
Performance Analysis & Emulation Feasibility
Given the lack of a native port, the only potential avenues for Mac users involve compatibility layers or virtualization. Data from community resources provides a clear picture of the challenges.
- Proton (via Steam Play): Proton is Valve's compatibility tool that allows many Windows games to run on Linux and Steam Deck. Its performance on macOS is not officially supported. Community testing on platforms like ProtonDB shows no reports for The Outlast Trials on macOS, as Proton is not a standard macOS solution. Attempts to run it through unofficial Proton-on-Mac methods (like Whisky or GPTK) for a DirectX 12 title of this graphical intensity are highly experimental and unsupported.
- Apple's Game Porting Toolkit (GPTK): Introduced in 2023, GPTK is a development tool that can give an indication of how a Windows game might perform if ported. It is not a consumer-facing product for playing games. While no official benchmarks for The Outlast Trials using GPTK are publicly available as of 2026, the game's use of Unreal Engine 4 and demanding graphics suggests significant performance overhead would be incurred through translation, likely resulting in sub-30 FPS experiences on even the most powerful M3 or M4 Max Macs, if it runs at all.
- Virtualization (Parallels, VMWare): Running Windows 11 on ARM via virtualization software allows installation of the Windows version. However, performance is severely hampered by multiple layers of translation: x86-64 game code to ARM Windows, then through the virtualization layer to macOS. User reports for similar AAA titles in virtualization consistently show major performance penalties, severe graphical glitches, and incompatibility with advanced GPU features. For a horror game reliant on atmosphere and stable framerates, this method is deemed unplayable for a satisfactory experience.
System Requirements (Theoretical for Mac)
Since no native version exists, these are the Windows system requirements, which highlight the level of hardware a comparable native Mac port would need.
Minimum (Windows):
- OS: Windows 10 / 11 (64-bit)
- Processor: Intel Core i5-6600 or AMD Ryzen 5 1500X
- Memory: 8 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 Ti (2GB) or AMD Radeon R7 360 (2GB)
- DirectX: Version 12
- Storage: 40 GB available space
Recommended (Windows):
- OS: Windows 10 / 11 (64-bit)
- Processor: Intel Core i7-6700 or AMD Ryzen 5 2600
- Memory: 16 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 (6GB) or AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT (6GB)
- DirectX: Version 12
- Storage: 40 GB available space (SSD recommended)
A hypothetical native Apple Silicon port would likely require an M2 Pro or M3 chip as a minimum for acceptable performance, given the graphical demands.
User Experiences & Community Reports
Mac user sentiment on platforms like Steam reflects frustration with the lack of a port. Reviews often mention the desire to play but the impossibility of doing so on macOS.
- A user named Nyx stated in a Steam review: "Really wish this was on Mac. My friends all play but I'm stuck on macOS. Red Barrels, please!" [Source: Steam Community Reviews]
- Another user, Cipher, commented: "Checked every few months since release hoping for a Mac announcement. Still nothing in 2025. Guess I'm building a PC or using a cloud service." [Source: Steam Community Reviews]
These reports underscore that the player base is aware of the compatibility gap and has found no reliable workaround. The aggregate review data on Steam shows no positive reports of successful gameplay on any Mac system through any method.
Tips for Mac Users in 2026
Given the "Unplayable" status, your options are limited but clear:
- Advocate for a Port: The most direct action is to express interest to the developer. Politely requesting a Mac port on Red Barrels' official social media channels or community forums can help demonstrate market demand.
- Consider Cloud Gaming: Services like GeForce Now or Boosteroid may offer The Outlast Trials in their game libraries. This is the most viable method for Mac users in 2026, as it streams the game from a powerful Windows PC to your Mac. Performance depends entirely on your internet connection (a stable 50+ Mbps is recommended).
- Dual-Boot or Dedicated Hardware: For users with Intel Macs, creating a Boot Camp partition to run Windows natively is a technical solution. For Apple Silicon Mac users, this is not an option. The alternative is investing in a Windows PC or a gaming console (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S), which offer native versions of the game.
- Avoid Unsupported Workarounds: Investing significant time and money into virtualization or unsupported translation layers like GPTK for this specific title is likely to result in a poor, frustrating experience. The technical hurdles are too great for a stable, enjoyable playthrough.
Conclusion & 2026 Recommendation
As of February 2026, The Outlast Trials is not compatible with any Mac computer, whether Intel or Apple Silicon. There is no native version, and all potential workarounds result in an experience categorized as "Unplayable" due to technical incompatibility, severe performance loss, or both.
Our recommendation for Mac users is straightforward: Do not purchase this game on Steam expecting to play it on your Mac. Your funds and time are better directed elsewhere.
If you are determined to play The Outlast Trials, the only practical solution is to access it outside of your macOS environment. Investigating a cloud gaming service subscription that includes the title is the most cost-effective and immediate path. Alternatively, playing on a dedicated Windows PC or modern gaming console remains the gold standard for experience.
The state for Mac gaming continues to improve in 2026 with more developers releasing native Apple Silicon ports. However, for The Outlast Trials, the wait continues indefinitely unless Red Barrels announces a change in strategy.
