How to play Windows games on a Mac
There are three working routes: CrossOver, Whisky, or Parallels. For most people, CrossOver is the answer: it runs the Windows version of a game directly on macOS, no Windows install, and performance is good enough that hundreds of Windows-only games play well on Apple Silicon. Here's how to pick a route and set it up.
Pick your route
| Route | How it works | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| CrossOver | Runs the Windows build on macOS via Wine | Paid, free trial | Most games; best performance for the effort |
| Whisky | Free Wine wrapper using Apple's translation tech | Free | Tinkerers; no longer actively developed |
| Parallels | Full Windows in a virtual machine | Paid subscription | Games or apps that need real Windows |
The CrossOver route (recommended)
- Check your game first. Look it up on our CrossOver list: everything there is rated Gold or Platinum by ProtonDB's community, which means it runs well. If it's not there, it may still work, but you're testing on your own dime.
- Install CrossOver. Download it from CodeWeavers. It's paid (with a free trial), and the money funds the Wine development that makes all of this possible.
- Create a bottle and install Steam. A bottle is a self-contained Windows environment. Search CrossOver for your game or for Steam, install Steam inside the bottle, then log in and install the game exactly as on a PC.
- Play. The game runs right on top of macOS. If something's off, the game's ProtonDB page lists the exact tweaks other players used.
The honest caveat: games with strict anti-cheat (many competitive shooters) usually will not run this way, or through Parallels either. Single-player and co-op games are where these routes shine.
The free route: Whisky
Whisky is a free, open-source wrapper over the same Wine technology, using Apple's own translation layer. It works for many games, but its developer has ended active development, so new Windows game releases and macOS updates may break things over time with no fix coming. Worth trying if you want to test the waters before paying for CrossOver; see our Whisky install guide.
The full-Windows route: Parallels
Parallels Desktop installs Windows 11 (the Arm build) in a virtual machine. It's the most "it just works" option for Windows software in general, but for games it carries VM overhead, so demanding titles run slower than through CrossOver. Pick it when a game or launcher genuinely refuses to run in a Wine bottle. Full comparison: CrossOver vs Parallels.
Before you buy anything
Check whether the game has a Mac build at all: a surprising number do, either native or via Rosetta 2, and then you need none of this. Run the compatibility checker: it lists every game we've verified for your Mac, grouped by how it runs.
Common questions
Can Apple Silicon Macs (M1, M2, M3, M4) play Windows games?
Yes. Windows-only games run on Apple Silicon Macs through CrossOver or Whisky (Wine-based translation, no Windows install) or through Parallels Desktop (Windows in a virtual machine). Performance through CrossOver is often good enough that well-rated games feel native.
Do I need to buy Windows to play Windows games on a Mac?
Not for the CrossOver route: it runs the Windows version of the game directly on macOS with no Windows license. You only need Windows if you go the Parallels virtual machine route.
Do multiplayer games with anti-cheat work?
This is the weak spot. Games with strict kernel-level anti-cheat (many competitive shooters) usually refuse to run under both CrossOver and Parallels. Single-player and co-op games are far more reliable.
How do I know if a specific game will work?
Check its page on Mac Games List: we track ProtonDB community ratings for Windows games, and only list a game as CrossOver-playable when it is rated Gold or Platinum. The compatibility checker lists every verified game for your Mac.
