Not only CS2 has the problem of gaming on macOS, but also other games. You can check out our articles “How to play Overwatch 2 on Mac” and “How to Install and Play LoL on MAC?” as well as “How to install and play Valorant on MAC?” to understand this issue.
Contents
Highlights
- There are a few different options on how to play CS2 if you have macOS
- Step-by-step instructions on how to install and run programs
Is It Possible To Play CS2 on a Mac?
Unfortunately, you can’t install CS2 on Mac via Steam. This was confirmed in Valve’s September 2023 announcement in which they discontinued support for older software such as DirectX 9 and 32-bit operating systems.
We also wrote a useful How to Play 1v1 in CS2 guide that you might find helpful.
Why Did Valve Discontinue Support For the Mac?
This decision was made for several reasons:
- Technical limitations. The Source 2 engine is not optimized for macOS.
- Small user base. Mac users made up only 1.4% of Steam’s user base.
- Development costs. Creating and maintaining a separate Mac version would be costly for a small audience.
How To Play CS2 on a Mac?
Bootcamp
This utility allows Mac users to install Windows on their computers. By installing Bootcamp, you can run Windows on your Mac, allowing you to install and play CS2 just as you would on a PC. This method requires a Mac with an Intel processor, and you must allocate enough disk space (at least 64 GB) to install Windows and CS2.
Check to see if Secure Boot is set to Full Security. This setting is often set by default on Mac devices. However, ensure it’s turned on so Windows 10 installs smoothly.
Create a Windows Partition Using Boot Camp Assistant
Go to the “Utilities” folder and open the Boot Camp Assistant. Adhere to the prompts displayed on your screen to establish a Windows partition, which creates an independent storage area for the new operating system.
Connect the flash drive to your Mac device as instructed. You should also allocate storage space based on your needs. In this case, CS2 will require 85 GB of free space.
Formatting Windows 10 with Bootcamp
Once Boot Camp Assistant completes the process, the Windows installer will appear on your screen. If it asks you where to install Windows, select the BOOTCAMP partition you created earlier, but this step usually happens automatically. Click “Next” to begin the Windows 10 installation process.
After installation, your computer will reboot and turn on the Windows operating system; now, you can switch to different operating systems and play CS2.
You can play by downloading Steam on Windows, logging in to your account, and downloading CS2.
CrossOver
For those who prefer not to install Windows directly, CrossOver allows you to run Windows applications on macOS. You can download and play CS2 on a Mac without fully installing Windows.
However, it’s important to note that while CrossOver is a more straightforward solution, Bootcamp may provide a different level of performance than Bootcamp, especially for graphically intensive games like CS2.
You can download a 14-day free trial of Crossover to test it out first before deciding whether to buy a subscription.
Unzip the Crossover download and drag and drop it into your Applications folder.
Double-click on Crossover to launch it. You’ll immediately be taken to the installation screen, showing you a list of popular Windows applications commonly installed by Mac users.
Of course, you will need to find and install Steam. Once the Steam installer is complete, activate DXVA and ESync for faster graphics. Then, it’s simple—open Steam, log in to your account, select CS2, and install it. Then, you will be able to start playing the game.
Whisky
Whisky is a free tool based on the same technology as Crossover, but it doesn’t require a subscription.
It’s not as stable as Crossover and doesn’t support as many games, but it’s free, and you can play CS2 on it.
Download and install the Whisky app. Launch it; you might get a pop-up notification. You still need to open the file.
When Whisky opens, follow the instructions. The program will automatically install Rosetta, Wine, and Apple Game Porting Toolkit (GTK) on your Mac, all the tools you need to run Whisky.
To add a new “bottle” for Steam in Whisky, press the “+” icon located in the top right corner. Bottles are standalone environments you must make for each Windows game or app you want to install.
Choose “Windows 10,” which offers the widest compatibility with games. Next, download the official Steam installation file for Windows and install it in your downloads folder.
Close Steam and enable DXVK in the bottle configuration. Find ‘Steam.exe’ under ‘Installed Programs’ and run it, then log in to your Steam account and install CS2.
Once installed, go to CS2 properties, select general settings, and enter these startup options: no joy —novid —console —low. Now, you can enjoy the game.
GeForce Now
GeForce Now is a cloud gaming platform that allows you to play CS2 without needing high-end hardware.
GeForce Now does not host games. You must own the game in Steam and link it to your GeForce Now account. The great thing is that GeForce Now lets you play for free for one hour of game sessions at a time, though you’ll need to buy a subscription to play longer.
GeForce Now works on Macs with Intel chips and Apple Silicon M-series computers with M1, M2, or MZ chips. However, we want to warn you that in September 2024, CS2 players using NVIDIA’s GeForce Now cloud service faced an unexpected problem: they were banned for “suspicious play.”
CS2’s anti-cheat system may perceive how users connect via the cloud service as risky. Although users are not using third-party programs, Valve’s security system may mistakenly detect suspicious activity, resulting in account bans. There is no way to do anything about the lockout; you can only wait for it to expire.
Therefore, we have left this method here only for those who, for whatever reason, have no other options.
There are also tips on Reddit for the same programs to play on macOS.
Will CS2 Be on the Mac?
The chances of an official Mac version of CS2 are slim. It would require significant changes:
- Apple must implement a cross-platform Vulkan API (which is unlikely anytime soon).
- Valve must prioritize development for macOS (which is also unlikely due to the small user base).
While Apple Silicon computers may do well with CS2, the development costs and small potential benefits make an official release unlikely.
