Despite having a fully working port for the previous CS:GO game, Valve has declined to release a Mac version of Counter-Strike 2.
OVERVIEW
- Valve has not yet released CS2 for Mac, even though CSGO has been released on macOS.
- macOS has no support at all, most likely because it is an ARM-based operating system.
- However, there are ways to play the game without using them.
Compared to the early days of the PowerPC architecture, Mac gaming has advanced significantly. With differing degrees of success, modern Macs that are powered by ARM-based custom chips can use translation (and emulation) to play games that are based on Windows.
Although Counter-Strike 2 can be played on contemporary Macs, it is by no means an official port and requires some tweaking. Given that Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CSGO) had a port prior to being dropped in favor of CS2, Valve’s refusal to release a native port of CS2 for Macs is rather odd.
Counter-Strike 2 is incompatible with macOS.
Regretfully, contemporary Macs simply cannot run Counter-Strike 2. This is a result of Apple Silicon Macs’ ARM architecture, which prevents them from natively running x86-based software.
Like most games, Counter-Strike 2 is initially designed for x86-based systems. The most effective operating systems for Valve’s drop-in replacement for the aging Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CSGO) are Windows and Linux, which are primarily x86-based computers.
Though it is not natively supported, this does not imply that CS2 cannot operate on ARM architectures. You will need to use a translation layer (box64 for Linux and Rosetta for macOS) in order to run CS2 on ARM-based systems.
Translation layers are not ideal solutions and have their own peculiarities. Compatibility is the main problem because most games simply won’t run. There are occasions when the performance drop that occurs when converting x86 code to ARM is also very apparent.
This may lead to odd behavior, like graphical artifacts, and drops in frame rate. To put it briefly, using these kinds of systems to run games is like playing whack-a-mole, and problems will eventually arise.
Additionally, this ignores the fact that the majority of anti-cheat programs are incompatible with translation layers, effectively rendering them unusable. In the event that tampering or cheating is suspected, Valve has the authority to terminate user accounts and employs a fairly basic anti-cheat with CS2.
Due to the possibility of false account flagging from playing the game on macOS, Valve may take action against these users.
Given everything mentioned above, it is clear that Valve does not formally support macOS. There are ways to play the game on Macs, though.
There are methods for launching the game on Apple Silicon.
To be clear, Valve does not support or endorse this method of playing the game; it is an unofficial way to do it. With that in mind, it is possible to play CS2 on a Mac.
You will need a Mac with Apple Silicon (M1 or later) and 16 GB of system RAM in order to accomplish this. Although 8 GB might theoretically work, expect performance hiccups as the system uses swap memory.
Download and install Crossover first, then:
- Launch Crossover. Look up Steam.
- Make the Steam bottle and install it.
- Open Steam from the bottle and enter your login information.
- Visit your local library.
- Download CS2 first. Press Play after the download is complete.
At this point, the game should start up and run. Try adjusting your FPS and adding an optional stats overlay (Metal HUD) by experimenting with the available options. Although Crossover is a paid program, there is a two-week trial period. Another option is to substitute whisky.