Table of Contents
Is MapleStory on Mac?
MapleStory is not on Mac, but this doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy it on your Apple computer. There are, in fact, multiple workaround options, such as cloud gaming and Windows virtualization, that can help you run this game from your Mac despite its lack of native support. Each of those methods will be explained in detail here to help you pick the one that’s best for you and implement it with ease by following our instructions.
Can you play MapleStory on Mac?
If you want to play MapleStory on your Mac, we’ll help you get around its lack of native support by giving you several workaround options that will allow you to run this game on your Apple machine. The methods we are referring to are GeForce Now cloud gaming, Windows virtualization with Parallels, and directly installing Windows on your Mac to be able to download the game in a Windows environment.
Each of the mentioned methods has its advantages and disadvantages that you should consider when choosing which one to use.
- For example, using the GeForce Now cloud gaming service is the easiest option with the quickest setup, it also works on every Mac, and isn’t affected by the machine’s specs, but it requires a stable Internet and its free version is very limiting, so you may want to get a paid subscription.
- On the other hand, creating a Windows virtual machine with Parallels lets you download the game and works on both Intel and M1/M2 Macs, and it’s also relatively easy to use, but it is a paid software and doesn’t work great on weaker and older machines.
- Finally, you can also install Windows in a separate partition using Boot Camp – this is a free option and should provide decent performance even on weaker machines, but this option is exclusive to Intel Macs, has a lengthy setup process, and requires a lot of free storage space (at least 80 gigs).
How about playing MapleStory on Mac M1?
MapleStory can be played on Mac M1 through the use of GeForce Now and Parallels, but not Boot Camp as the latter method is unavailable for Apple Silicon computers.
Due to the different architecture of Intel CPUs and M1 chips, using Boot Camp Assistant to install Windows 10 on an M1 Mac is not possible, so this method of playing Windows games such as MapleStory on Mac isn’t available to Mac M1 users. However, with the help of Parallels, you can still get Windows on your Mac by creating a Windows 11 virtual machine, and then you can download and play the game within that VM. And, of course, GeForce Now is by far the most versatile method. Not only does it work on both types of Macs, but also it isn’t restricted by the machine’s hardware specs, meaning that even weaker Macs should be able to run the game with good performance.
How to download MapleStory on Mac
You’ll be able to download and play MapleStory on your Mac once you’ve created a Windows virtual machine with Parallels or have installed Windows in a separate partition with Boot Camp. After that, downloading MapleStory is quite straightforward – you just install the Steam client in the VM or the Windows partition, open it, log in to your account, find the game, and click install. Since MapleStory is a free game, you won’t need to purchase anything in order to install it on your Mac. Once the game is ready, simply click Play in the Steam client to start it.
Again, remember that it isn’t necessary to download MapleStory on your Mac in order to play it. As we already mentioned, the game can also be played through GeForce Now Cloud Gaming platform, which allows you to run it on a remote gaming rig and then have the gameplay streamed to your Mac, from where you control the game. It’s a nice alternative to playing the game locally that has a very quick and easy setup process and takes almost no space on your computer.
How to play MapleStory on Mac
Now that we’ve talked about the different workarounds, it is now time to show you how to play MapleStory on your Mac using each of the methods. We’ll start with the cloud gaming one as it’s the easiest and most convenient option, and then we’ll move on to Parallels and Boot Camp.
How to play MapleStory with GeForce Now
- To use GeForce Now and play MapleStory with its help, first visit the platform’s site, click Join Now, choose a plan, and then sign up to the service. If you’ve clicked on a paid plan, you’ll also need to provide your payment details.
- Next, go to the Downloads section of the site, download the Mac version of the GeForce Now client, and install it on your Mac.
- Start the client, log in to your account, then type the game’s name in the search bar, and click on its image.
- Then click Play, agree to connect your GeForce Now account to your Steam account and continue.
- The service will likely test your Internet connection. Know that even if it determines that your Internet isn’t good enough, you can still continue to the game, but you’ll likely experience lag and stuttering during gameplay if the connection doesn’t improve.
- After the Internet test, start the game and enter your Steam details when prompted to in order to start playing.
How to play MapleStory with Parallels
- Go to the site of the Parallels tool, download the app from there, and install it.
- Install Parallels on your computer by running the .dmg file and following the directions on the screen.
- Once Parallels has been installed, open it and select the “Install Windows” option to begin the process of creating a Windows VM.
- Create a Parallels profile or sign in to the virtual machine using one of the other available sign-up options.
- Once you enter the VM, download the Steam or the Epic Games client and use it to install the game on the virtual machine.
If you need more in-depth steps for Parallels with screenshots, check out our full Parallels guide:
How to play MapleStory with Boot Camp Assistant.
- You will first need to go to Microsoft’s site and download from there a Windows 10 ISO file.
- Once the file downloads, go to Utilities, start the Boot Camp Assistant app, and load the file in it.
- Ensure that the Windows partition has enough space for the Windows 10 OS and for the game and also that there’s some space (at least 40 GB) left for the macOS partition and click Install.
- Your Mac will restart – once it does, follow the prompts, provide your Product key or skip that step for now if you don’t have a key, and then launch the installation.
- Once Windows installs, customize its settings and then use the Boot Camp Assistant window on your screen to install the needed Apple drivers for Windows.
- Finally, go to Steam, download the Steam client, install it, and use it to get MapleStory installed on the Windows partition of your Mac.
If you want more detailed instructions, you can check out our extended Boot Camp guide:
I tried installing Parallels on my M1 Mac and playing Maplestory but it crashes within a few seconds into the game. Chatting with support they said they don’t support it. Is there a special config you did to get it to work?
On our test it worked fine. Could you please let us know once you receive an answer from Parallels. Thank you.
Hey Cody, Please let me know what you find out. Unfortunately, I’m experiencing the same thing 🙁 Crashes within 3 minutes
My m1max has windows 11 arm and maplestory opens and runs great, however it closes within about 3-5min of game being on.. Please help me!! GeForce is trash.
Hi Cole, what program are you using to run Windows 11?
Im having the same problem.. Using parallel 17 on Mac m1 air and maple story crashes a couple minutes after in game
Hi Tony one of the main drivers needed to support arm gaming on windows is this one.
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-US/cpp/windows/latest-supported-vc-redist?view=msvc-170
Please let me know if that fixed the problem. Thanks for sharing with us.
I installed parallels, windows 11, and steam onto my MacBook Pro with an M1 chip. Every time the game attempts to launch, it asks for permission to make changes to my computer & no matter if I say yes or no, the game will not launch. Do you have any ideas what is happening?