Can you play Minecraft Bedrock on Mac?
Minecraft is a massive sandbox video game that, in the last decade, has extended into different gaming platforms and renditions. Two main editions have established themselves among gamers: the original Java Edition, which supports playing across Windows, Linux, and macOS, and the Bedrock Edition, which comes with fantastic for cross-platform co-op gaming but can run only on Windows 10/11. Compared to the original Java version of the game, Bedrock also includes various new features, improvements and bug fixes, but there is no official version of Minecraft Bedrock on Mac. Therefore, if you want to play it, you need to resort to alternative solutions, and we’ve explored a few of them to provide you with a comprehensive overview.
How to play Minecraft Bedrock on Mac
If you are excited to play Minecraft Bedrock on Mac, then feel free to explore the workarounds we’ve outlined just below. If you’re unsure which one suits you best, keep scrolling to find our experience with each method. This way, you’ll gain a clearer understanding of what to expect and can make an informed choice for your gaming journey.
Xbox Game Pass/Xbox Cloud Gaming
Features: Access to hundreds of games without the need to purchase them individually. Ability to play the Game Pass titles on any device through the Xbox Cloud Gaming service.
Pros
- You don’t need to buy the game
- M1/M2/Intel-compatible
- Hardware specs don’t matter
Cons
- Requires good Internet for its cloud-gaming
- Controls are console-based, emulated for mouse an keyboard.
- Available in few countries.
Step 1: Subscribe to Game Pass
To play with Xbox Cloud Gaming, you’ll need to subscribe to the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate plan by clicking on the button below. Then click the Join button, sign up with your Microsoft account and follow the instructions that appear on your screen.
You can play without cloud gaming by following with the Parallels or Boot Camp Methods.
Step 2: Play with Xbox Cloud Gaming (Optional)
This step is optional and you should perform it only if you want to play through the Xbox Cloud Gaming service. Go to the Xbox site and click on the Game Pass menu. After that, click on Xbox Cloud Gaming, and then select Join Now. Search for the game in the search bar, select it, and click on Play with Cloud Gaming.
- It is important to note that playing games through Xbox Cloud requires a controller. So, if you don’t have one, then install this extension to your Edge/Chrome browser, enable it, and then click in the center of your screen once the game starts to begin using it.
Boot Camp
Features: Provides a native Windows 11 experience. Allows running all Windows-compatible programs and games as long as the Mac’s hardware can support them.
Note: Not available for Apple Silicon models.
Pros
- It’s free
- Unlimited compatibility
- Stable and reliable
Cons
- Takes time to set up
- Takes tons of storage
- Unavailable for M1/M2
Note: You need to own the game before you proceed with this method.
Boot Camp is a method that installs Windows on a separate section of your Mac, creating a dedicated partition. This enables you to run any Windows program, including the desired game, without encountering compatibility issues.
- One of the notable strengths of Boot Camp is its stability. When using this method, you can expect a reliable gaming experience without errors, crashes, or other unexpected issues on your Mac. Moreover, Boot Camp is a cost-effective solution, as the method itself is free, and your primary expense will be the game you wish to play.
- However, there are some downsides to consider. Boot Camp demands a significant amount of hard drive space since your Mac has to accommodate both the game and the entire Windows 10 operating system. Additionally, this method is exclusive to Intel-based Macs, so if you are using an Apple Silicon model, you’ll need to explore alternative solutions. Lastly, it’s essential to note that Boot Camp is the most time-consuming option, requiring a couple of hours for the initial setup.
Minecraft Bedrock for Mac – Our Experience
As we explored the possibilities of playing Minecraft Bedrock for Mac, we came across a lot of contradictory information online. The community discussions and recommendations were diverse, suggesting various approaches such as VM solutions and compatibility layers like Crossover, Parallels, and PlayCover as potential workarounds. However, these methods had various drawbacks and limitations, leading to a mixture of opinions and experiences shared by users attempting to find a suitable pathway for running Minecraft Bedrock on their Mac devices.
Moreover, some of these methods did not allow users to log in to their Microsoft accounts or access the Xbox Game Pass features, which limited their multiplayer and crossplay options. Therefore, in pursuit of a a universally effective solution, we decided to test two other alternatives to play Minecraft Bedrock for Mac.
Minecraft Bedrock for Mac with Xbox Game Pass
Even though there is no native version of Minecraft Bedrock for Mac, you can still play it on your Mac with an Xbox Game Pass subscription, as long as you have a valid Microsoft account and a stable internet connection. We explored this possibility and our goal was to evaluate the feasibility and performance of playing Minecraft Bedrock in a cloud environment.
The process of setting up Xbox Game Pass on our Mac didn’t take us long. We accessed the service through our Chrome web browser, which meant no downloads or installations were necessary. All that was required was a Microsoft account with an active Game Pass Ultimate subscription.
In our testing through Xbox Game Pass, we found that the game maintained a stable frame rate of about 60 frames per second (FPS). This resulted in a smooth gaming experience with very few instances of FPS drops. Additionally, the game streamed at a resolution of 1080p with great visual clarity that preserved the pixelated look of Minecraft Bedrock without any noticeable reduction in image quality.
Despite a slight delay in input response, the latency was minimal with a range of 30-40 milliseconds and did not significantly impact the overall gameplay. On our high-speed connection surpassing 50 megabits per second (Mbps), lagging was nearly non-existent and we can safely say that, our experience with Minecraft Bedrock on Mac using Xbox Game Pass was positive. However, you should note that the performance heavily relies on the quality of your internet connection and during periods of lower bandwidth or unstable internet, you can experience some lag.
Minecraft Bedrock for Mac with BootCamp
Next, we set out to test the performance and overall gameplay experience of Minecraft Bedrock on a Mac using Boot Camp, focusing on various benchmarks such as FPS, resolution, and settings.
Our testing was conducted on a 2020 MacBook Pro with an Intel Core i7 processor and AMD Radeon Pro 5300M graphics card. The setup process involved partitioning the MacBook’s hard drive and installing Windows 10. While the initial setup took some time, once completed, we were able to download and install Minecraft Bedrock Edition with ease. On High Settings, we consistently achieved an impressive 60+ FPS during gameplay. The game ran smoothly, with no noticeable frame drops, even in graphically demanding areas. On Max Settings, the frame rate remained stable at around 60 FPS, thanks to the dedicated graphics card in our MacBook Pro. The only minor drawback was the need to reboot into Windows to play, but this was a small inconvenience compared to the overall quality of gameplay.
Can you play Minecraft Java on Mac?
Yes, playing Minecraft Java on Mac is fully supported as this version of Minecraft, known as the original and widely embraced by the gaming community, is designed to be fully compatible with macOS. Many players opt for Minecraft Java Edition due to its exceptional modding capabilities and the extensive array of community-driven content it provides. Whether you’re exploring the blocky landscapes, engaging in creative building endeavors, or delving into the rich multiplayer experience, Minecraft Java Edition ensures a robust and enjoyable gaming journey for Minecraft enthusiasts on the macOS platform.
How to play Minecraft Java on Mac
The native macOS version of Minecraft Java on Mac is available for download from the official Minecraft website. The installation process is simple and user-friendly, making it accessible for all Mac users.
Natively with Steam
To play Minecraft Java on Mac, you need to download and install the game launcher from the official Minecraft website. Here are the steps to follow:
• Log in to your Microsoft account or create one if you do not have one.
• Go to the Minecraft download page and select your device.
• Choose the Base Game option and click Buy Now. You will need to purchase the game.
• After completing the payment, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to download the game launcher for macOS.
• Click on the link and save the file to your Mac. The file name should be Minecraft.dmg.
• Double-click on the file to open it and drag the Minecraft icon to the Applications folder.
• Launch the game from the Applications folder or the Dock. You will need to log in with your Microsoft account again.
• Enjoy playing Minecraft Java on your Mac!
Minecraft Java for Mac – Our Experience
Minecraft Java for Mac has a loyal fan base and runs natively on macOS. We put this version to the test on a 2020 MacBook Pro equipped with an M1 chip, which represents Apple’s latest advancement in personal computing hardware. The game is easily downloadable from the official Minecraft website and, upon installation, we were quick to adjust the game settings to see how well the MacBook Pro could handle Minecraft’s Java version.
On High Settings, remarkably, the game ran at an average of 70-80 FPS, which is an impressive feat for a MacBook, especially considering Minecraft Java Edition’s demand for higher processing power for its limitless world generation and gameplay elements. In areas with intense graphics, even in biomes with dense vegetation or during intricate redstone operations, the frame rate remained stable, rarely dropping below 70 FPS.
We played Minecraft Java for Mac at the MacBook’s native resolution (2560×1600), which delivered crisp and detailed graphics and the gameplay experience was smooth and responsive. There was no noticeable stuttering, even when exploring new areas of the game world or during multiplayer sessions. The M1 chip’s efficiency was evident as the MacBook maintained a relatively cool temperature throughout the gaming session, and battery consumption was not that much, compared to what’s typically expected from gaming.
Conclusion
In conclusion, whether you prefer the cross-platform capabilities of Minecraft Bedrock or the original charm of Minecraft Java, playing Minecraft on Mac is an enjoyable experience. Both versions offer stable performance and unique aspects that make Minecraft a beloved game worldwide.
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