How to get Steam on your Mac.
Steam for Mac is free and works on both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs. Download it only from Valve’s own site.
Download Steam
Go to store.steampowered.com and choose Install Steam. Download the Mac version.
Install it
Open the downloaded steam.dmg file and drag Steam into your Applications folder.
Sign in
Open Steam from Applications. Let it update, then sign in or create a free Steam account.
Install a game
Open your Library, pick a game with a Mac version and choose Install.
Which Steam games work on Mac?
Any game with a macOS version. There are three easy ways to check:
- On the store page, look for the Apple logo next to the price, or a macOS tab under System Requirements.
- In Steam’s store search, filter by macOS to see only games with a Mac version.
- In your Library, Steam for Mac shows every game you own, but only lets you install the ones with a Mac version.
Why some “Mac” games still won’t run
Since macOS Catalina, Macs can’t run 32-bit apps. Some older games list Mac support on Steam but were never updated to 64-bit, so they won’t launch on a current Mac. Games built for Intel Macs run on Apple Silicon through Rosetta, which macOS offers to install the first time you need it.
How to play Windows Steam games on Mac.
Steam for Mac can’t install a Windows-only game. To play one, you run the Windows version of Steam on your Mac, inside a tool that translates Windows games for macOS. You sign in with the same account, so your purchases come with you and you don’t buy anything twice.
GameToMac does this for a list of 25 supported Steam games, each one tuned on its own. Here’s how it works:
Pick your game in GameToMac
Download GameToMac, open it, and choose a supported game. Select Get started and let setup finish.
Sign in to Steam
GameToMac opens the Windows version of Steam in its own window. Sign in with your usual Steam account.
Install the game
Install the game in that Steam window and wait for the download to finish.
Choose Play now
Go back to GameToMac and choose Play now. Some games prepare graphics on the first launch.
The Steam for Mac app you already have stays separate. Games installed there aren’t touched.
Download for MacIf your game isn’t supported
CrossOver runs a wider range of Windows games, with more setup and mixed results. Free tools such as Sikarugir can work too if you’re happy to troubleshoot; our Whisky alternatives guide covers them. Cloud services stream games you own from a remote PC. Our guide on how to play Windows games on Mac compares every option.
Windows Steam games you can play on Mac with GameToMac.
Each guide covers the supported edition, Mac requirements and setup.
- Cities: Skylines II on Mac
- Counter-Strike 1.6 on Mac
- The Last of Us Part I on Mac
- Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 on Mac
- Company of Heroes on Mac
- Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition on Mac
- Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced on Mac
- Red Dead Redemption 2 on Mac
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Remastered on Mac
- Age of Mythology: Retold on Mac
- Elden Ring on Mac
- Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition on Mac
- Heroes of Might and Magic III Complete Edition on Mac
- GTA: San Andreas – The Definitive Edition on Mac
- Skyrim Special Edition on Mac
- Hogwarts Legacy on Mac
- Path of Exile 2 on Mac
- Diablo IV on Mac
- Overwatch on Mac
- Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2 on Mac
- Command & Conquer: Generals Zero Hour on Mac
- Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition on Mac
- Age of Empires IV on Mac
- Company of Heroes 3 on Mac
- Counter-Strike 2 on Mac
When Steam won’t cooperate on Mac.
Steam won’t open
Quit Steam fully, then open it again. If that doesn’t help, restart your Mac and install any macOS updates. As a last step, reinstall Steam from Valve’s site. Your games stay in place if you only replace the app.
“Steam needs to be online to update”
Steam can’t reach its servers. Check your internet connection, then turn off any VPN, firewall rule or content filter that might block Steam, and try again.
A game is listed but won’t install
It’s Windows-only. Follow the Windows Steam games steps above.
Steam on Mac: FAQ
Does Steam work on Mac?
Yes. Steam has a native macOS app, and it runs on Apple Silicon and Intel Macs. It installs and plays any game that has a Mac version.
Is Steam free on Mac?
Yes. Steam and a Steam account are free. You only pay for the games you buy.
Do I have to buy a game again to play it on Mac?
No. When a Steam game has a Mac version, your purchase covers it. If it’s Windows-only, you can still play your copy on Mac with a tool like GameToMac or CrossOver.
Why does Steam say a game isn’t available on Mac?
The game only has a Windows version. Steam for Mac can’t install it. Use one of the options in the Windows games section of this guide instead.
Can I play Windows Steam games on Mac for free?
Free Wine-based tools can run some of them, with more setup and troubleshooting. CrossOver and GameToMac both offer free trials, so you can test a game before you pay.
Does Steam work on M1, M2, M3 and M4 Macs?
Yes. Steam and its Mac games run on every Apple Silicon Mac. Older Intel-only Mac games run through Rosetta.
How do I uninstall Steam on Mac?
Quit Steam, then drag it from Applications to the Trash. To remove your installed games too, delete the Steam folder in your user Library under Application Support.
