How To Check Game Compatibility On Mac

With the likes of the hugely popular HTC Vive and Oculus Rift now available to buy around the world, many Mac users are wondering if you can use VR on a Mac and if so, how. The simplest way to see all 32-bit applications (and 64-bit apps) on a Mac is to use System Information Hold down the OPTION / ALT key on your keyboard, then pull down the  Apple menu Choose “System Information” from the top of the Apple menu list. When the rare game was ported to Mac, you’d have to purchase the Mac-only version to run it on your Mac. These days, many of the games you already own probably have Mac versions available. Some game developers are more cross-platform than others — for example, all of Valve’s own games on Steam and Blizzard’s games on Battle.net support Mac.

To get the latest features and maintain the security, stability, compatibility, and performance of your Mac, it's important to keep your software up to date. Apple recommends that you always use the latest macOS that is compatible with your Mac.

Learn how to upgrade to macOS Big Sur, the latest version of macOS.

Check compatibility

If a macOS installer can't be used on your Mac, the installer will let you know. For example, it might say that your Mac doesn't have enough free storage space for the installation, or that the installer is too old to be opened on this version of macOS.

If you want to check compatibility before downloading the installer, learn about the minimum requirements for macOS Catalina, Mojave, High Sierra, Sierra, El Capitan, or Yosemite. You can also check compatible operating systems on the product-ID page for MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, MacBook, iMac, Mac mini, or Mac Pro.

Make a backup

Before installing, it’s a good idea to back up your Mac. Time Machine makes it simple, and other backup methods are also available. Learn how to back up your Mac.

Download macOS

It takes time to download and install macOS, so make sure that you're plugged into AC power and have a reliable internet connection.

These installers from the App Store open automatically after you download them:

  • macOS Catalina 10.15 can upgrade Mojave, High Sierra, Sierra, El Capitan, Yosemite, Mavericks
  • macOS Mojave 10.14 can upgrade High Sierra, Sierra, El Capitan, Yosemite, Mavericks, Mountain Lion
  • macOS High Sierra 10.13 can upgrade Sierra, El Capitan, Yosemite, Mavericks, Mountain Lion, Lion

Your web browser downloads the following older installers as a disk image named InstallOS.dmg or InstallMacOSX.dmg. Open the disk image, then open the .pkg installer inside the disk image. It installs an app named Install [Version Name]. Open that app from your Applications folder to begin installing the operating system.

  • macOS Sierra 10.12 can upgrade El Capitan, Yosemite, Mavericks, Mountain Lion, or Lion
  • OS X El Capitan 10.11 can upgrade Yosemite, Mavericks, Mountain Lion, Lion, or Snow Leopard
  • OS X Yosemite 10.10can upgrade Mavericks, Mountain Lion, Lion, or Snow Leopard

Install macOS

Follow the onscreen instructions in the installer. It might be easiest to begin installation in the evening so that it can complete overnight, if needed.

Compatibility

If the installer asks for permission to install a helper tool, enter the administrator name and password that you use to log in to your Mac, then click Add Helper.

How To Check Game Compatibility On Mac Computer

Please allow installation to complete without putting your Mac to sleep or closing its lid. Your Mac might restart, show a progress bar, or show a blank screen several times as it installs both macOS and related updates to your Mac firmware.

Learn more

You might also be able to use macOS Recovery to reinstall the macOS you're using now, upgrade to the latest compatible macOS, or install the macOS that came with your Mac.

Office For Mac Compatibility

Why try CrossOver before you buy?

Unlike an emulator that requires a full copy of the Window OS, CrossOver translates the commands your Windows application wants to use to your installed OS and back. This translation system means you don't need to spend hours setting up Windows OS first, you can just install your Windows application directly into CrossOver and run it.

But it's a big process to try and recreate all the Windows OS commands, and CrossOver isn't complete yet. Many Windows applications work great, but some might have reduced functionality, or possibly not run at all. That's why we encourage everyone to try their favorite Windows applications first in our 14-day, completely functional trial of CrossOver and see for before purchasing.
We also maintain a large Compatibility Center database of user reports, documenting how various Windows applications run in CrossOver. If your program runs under CrossOver you're good to go with the easiest, least expensive, and friendliest Windows compatibility software out there. And even if it doesn't, you've only spent a few minutes to potentially save yourself several hundred dollars and all the hassles that come with Windows.

Game Compatibility Check

So before you go plunking down your hard-earned money for an emulator AND a copy of Windows AND spend an entire afternoon setting it all up, give us a try!