How to Install Steam on Apple Silicon Macs Using Whisky

Learn how to install Steam on Apple Silicon Macs using Whisky, a free app that enables the installation of Apple’s Game Porting Toolkit (GPTK) and WINE. Discover step-by-step instructions to run older Win32-based games on your Mac and explore the compatibility and performance considerations.

Installing Steam on Apple Silicon Macs with Whisky

Discover how to leverage Whisky to install Steam, enabling access to thousands of games on Apple Silicon Macs. Follow these step-by-step instructions to set up and run older Win32-based games seamlessly.

What is Whisky?

Whisky is a free app designed to facilitate the installation of Apple’s Game Porting Toolkit (GPTK) and WINE on macOS. By utilizing WINE’s API translation capabilities, Whisky enables the execution of Win32 games on modern Apple Silicon Macs.

Getting Started

1. Download and run the Whisky app on your Apple Silicon Mac, following the setup process outlined in our previous article.
2. Install the Game Porting Toolkit (GPTK) within Whisky to establish the necessary framework for running Win32 games.
3. Download the Windows version of Steam from the Steam website, as some Win32 games are exclusive to the Windows operating system.

Setting Up Steam

1. Copy the downloaded SteamSetup.exe file to the virtual C: Windows drive within Whisky.
2. Create a bottle for the Windows version of Steam using Whisky, then run the Steam installer app within the bottle.
3. Once the installation is complete, create a new bottle for the installed Steam app and delete the Steam for Windows installer.

Running Steam

1. Launch Steam for Windows from within the Whisky app.
2. Purchase, install, and run Windows games on Steam as you would on a Windows PC, leveraging the compatibility provided by GPTK and WINE.

Game Compatibility and Performance

1. Some Win32 games may exhibit varying levels of compatibility and performance when run through Whisky and GPTK.
2. Check the Whisky website for a list of known-supported games and keep in mind that performance may vary based on individual titles.
3. Monitor game compatibility and performance improvements as Whisky and GPTK evolve, unlocking new possibilities for Windows gaming on Apple Silicon Macs.

Conclusion

By harnessing the power of Whisky, Apple Silicon Mac users can access the vast library of Steam games previously unavailable on macOS. Follow these instructions to seamlessly install and run Steam, opening up a world of gaming possibilities on your Apple Silicon Mac.