Play PC Games on a Mac: Downloading Tips & Tricks

Do you want to play PC games, but you only have a Mac? You're in luck! You can most likely play that game. Just know that Macs don't have the same hardware as PCs, so your gaming experience will most likely be different than that of a PC player. Read on to learn more about downloading and playing PC games on Mac.

How to Download PC Games on Mac

Before using cloud-gaming services like GeForce NOW or Amazon Luna, check for a Mac version. If unavailable, you can stream games from a PC or use compatibility programs like Crossover and Whiskey to play PC games on your Mac. As a last resort, consider Boot Camp or Parallels.

Section 1 of 6:

Check for a Mac Version

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Newer games probably have a Mac version. Platforms like Epic, Steam, GOG, EA, and more usually have a Mac section of their store. Want to play Baldur's Gate 3 on Mac? There's a Mac version for that!
- For many of these storefronts, including Steam, Epic, and EA, you'll need to download the launcher to play your games. However, using the launchers ensures your game remains supported and updated.

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Use Online Streaming Services

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Stream PC games on your Mac using a browser. Using this method, your hardware doesn't really matter. Instead, you're using a remote Windows-based hardware system with these services. What matters is your Internet connection. Many of these streaming platforms require a subscription, but some games may be available for free. The hardware that you're using to play the games may differ between subscription plans, so you can pay more for a better experience. Try one of these popular options:
- GeForce NOW: This cloud-based gaming service from Nvidia gives you access to more than 1,500 games through your browser or a desktop app. While you’ll need to subscribe for access to the highest-quality gaming experience, there is a free version available.^{[1]
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- Amazon Luna is another cloud-based gaming platform that allows you to play games in your browser. If you have an Amazon Prime account, you’ll automatically be able to play a few games for free. You’ll have to subscribe to Luna+ to get access to the full library.^{[2]
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- Xbox Cloud Gaming: Since Microsoft owns the Xbox game console, there’s a huge overlap between PC and Xbox games. You can easily play Xbox games in your browser on a Mac with the new Cloud Gaming service. You’ll need to sign up for an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate to get access to most of the games.^{[3]
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Try Crossover or Whisky

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These programs let you run apps on any OS. Windows compatibility layers let you run Windows software on a mac without needing an emulator or a virtual Windows environment. Older compatibility layers, like Wine, are a bit tricky to set up and use. However, there are some more recent options based on Wine that are relatively intuitive and user-friendly. Here are some options to consider:
- PlayOnMac: a free Wine-based compatibility layer with an extensive list of supported games.
- CrossOver: a paid compatibility app that offers a two-week free trial. Once it’s installed, search for and install Windows apps within CrossOver.
- Whisky: uses elements of CrossOver and Apple’s new Game Porting Toolkit. Whisky is free and designed to be user-friendly.
  - Apple's Game Porting Toolkit is mostly for developers, but you can use it to test how a Windows-based game performs on Mac.

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Use Boot Camp or Parallels

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The instructions here differ between an Intel and a Silicon-based Mac. Installing Windows on your Mac is an easy way to play PC games. However, the right way to do it depends on what kind of processor your Mac has.
- If you have an older Mac with an Intel processor, you’ll need to install Windows using the Boot Camp utility. You’ll need to download a Windows install file, and you may also need a USB flash drive depending on your Mac.^{[4]
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- If your Mac has an M1 or M2 chip, you’ll need to use Parallels instead. Parallels is a virtual Windows desktop for Mac that you can run without having to reboot your computer in Windows mode, like you would with Boot Camp.
  - Parallels is subscription-based, but it offers a 14-day free trial. Check out our guide to installing Parallels.

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Use Emulators for Older Games

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This method works if you want to play very old games, not newer ones. Popular options are DOSBox and ScummVM. They are a little technical and more difficult to set up, but once they are, you can play ‘80s and ‘90s games to your heart's content!
- If you want to use DOSBOX, check out our guide to getting it set up.

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Get Unofficial Ports

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Unofficial ports are fan-created Mac versions of popular PC games. Note that downloading anything from sites you don't trust is risky and can end up with you downloading a virus or malware, so be careful. The site macsourceports.com is a great place to start looking for a Mac version of a game!
- Much like using an emulator, this is a good way to get Mac versions of older PC games. Newer Windows games are more likely to have official Mac ports or to be available on streaming game services.

Community Q&A

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Question

How do I download games for Mac for free?

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There are some websites that have these games for free, but this is against the law if the game originally cost money. If you have a PC .exe file on your Mac from a PC game or any other PC software, you can use something called wine to open it. It is not recommended getting illegal games.

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Is there a cheaper option?

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No, there are not cheaper options.

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