How to play Fallout 4 on Mac

Fallout 4 Game Overview

Fallout 4 is a post-apocalyptic role-playing game developed by Bethesda Game Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks. Released on November 10, 2015, the game is set in a devastated Boston and surrounding Massachusetts region known as “The Commonwealth” in the year 2287, 210 years after a catastrophic nuclear war. Players assume the role of the “Sole Survivor,” who emerges from a long-term cryogenic stasis in Vault 111 to find their spouse murdered and their son kidnapped, setting off a quest that traverses the dilapidated landscape. The game is renowned for its open-world exploration, deep crafting systems, and the freedom it offers players in story decisions and character development. New features introduced in Fallout 4 include a layered armor system, base-building, and a dynamic dialogue system with a fully voiced protagonist. These elements, combined with the ability to continue playing after the main story ends and the extensive mod support from the community, have contributed to the game’s long-standing popularity.

Fallout 4 has experienced a resurgence in popularity recently, largely due to the release of a Fallout TV series on Amazon Prime. The show has sparked renewed interest in the Fallout game series, leading to increased player counts across various entries, including Fallout 4. Additionally, Bethesda announced a next-gen update for Fallout 4, which has further fueled interest as players anticipate enhanced graphics and performance. Despite its popularity, Fallout 4 is not natively supported on macOS and Apple Silicon devices. However, Mac users can still play Fallout 4 through several methods: cloud gaming, Crossover, Parallels, and Boot Camp for older Intel-based Macs.

1. Play Fallout 4 with CrossOver via Steam

CrossOver is a software tool that enables users to run Windows applications on macOS and Linux without needing a Windows operating system license. It is based on the popular open-source Wine project and works by translating Windows API calls into POSIX calls on-the-fly, eliminating the performance and resource penalties of virtual machines. With CrossOver, users can seamlessly integrate Windows applications into their native environment, running them as if they were native applications on their Mac or Linux systems. This software is especially useful for those who need access to certain Windows-only programs for business, education, or gaming purposes, providing a streamlined and efficient solution without the complexity of dual-booting or maintaining a separate Windows installation. Here’s how to play Fallout 4 using CrossOver through Steam:

1. Visit the CrossOver website, purchase the software, and download it. Install CrossOver on your Mac by dragging it into the Applications folder.
2. Open CrossOver, click Install a Windows Application, and select Steam from the list. Follow the prompts to install.
3. Launch Steam within CrossOver, log into your Steam account, find Fallout 4 in the Steam store, and install it.
4. Install the Fallout 4 CrossTie fixes into the Steam bottle created in the previous step.
5. Exit Fallout 4 launcher after launching it once to create necessary settings files.
6. Access the Fallout 4 configuration files located in Documents > My Games > Fallout 4. Edit the Fallout4.ini file:
• Set BDisableAllGore=1 under [General] to prevent crashes.
• Add BBackgroundMouse=1 under [Controls] to fix mouse issues.
7. Save the changes.
8. Launch Fallout 4 again from Steam. Adjust graphics settings as desired in the launcher.
9. Launch the game and enjoy playing Fallout 4 on your Apple silicon Mac.
10. Navigate to the Library in Steam, find Fallout 4, and click Play to start your simulation.

Install a Windows Application -> Steam

Install Steam on Mac via Crossover

2. Play Fallout 4 on cloud gaming services (Xbox Cloud and GeForce Now)

Cloud gaming allows you to play Fallout 4 on any Mac, however, since Fallout 4 is shooting game, usablity depends much on lag and framerate. You need to have very good internet connection and servers not far from your location, so the game can be comfortably streamed to your Mac. You can check connection quality on Xbox Cloud and try free subscription of Geforce Now before purchasing the plan to make sure game is playable. Otherwise, choose other options.

Cloud gaming platforms stream games from remote servers, offering high performance without demanding hardware. Cloud gaming services are expanding the accessibility of gaming by eliminating many of the traditional barriers, such as the need for constant hardware upgrades and the initial cost of games. As internet speeds increase and technology advances, cloud gaming continues to grow as a popular alternative to traditional console and PC gaming.

Xbox Cloud

Xbox Cloud (formerly known as Project xCloud) is Microsoft’s cloud gaming service that enables players to stream a variety of Xbox games directly to their devices, such as smartphones, tablets, PCs, and consoles. This service is integrated with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, providing subscribers access to a vast library of games without the need for downloading them. Xbox Cloud Gaming supports playing games on the go with a compatible controller and a stable internet connection, offering the convenience of continuing your gaming session across multiple devices. It leverages Microsoft’s global network of Azure data centers to deliver low-latency gaming experiences, making it possible to play high-quality Xbox titles almost anywhere. Here’s a simplified guide to playing Fallout 4 on Xbox Cloud Gaming:

1. Get Xbox Game Pass Ultimate – subscribe via the Xbox website.
2. Xbox Cloud Gaming works on macOS through supported browsers like Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome.
3. Open your browser and go to the Xbox Cloud Gaming website. Log into your Microsoft account that’s associated with your Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription.
4. Find Fallout 4 in the cloud gaming section and click Play.
5. Stream and play Fallout 4 directly on your Mac.

GeForce Now

GeForce Now is a cloud gaming service developed by NVIDIA that allows users to stream video games to their devices, leveraging NVIDIA’s powerful cloud-based GPU servers. This service enables gamers to play their own games from popular digital libraries such as Steam, Epic Games Store, and Uplay on virtually any device, including PCs, Macs, Shield TVs, and mobile devices. GeForce Now differentiates itself by not requiring users to purchase games from a specific library, instead allowing them to play games they already own, provided those games are supported on the service. It offers various membership tiers, including a free option and a premium subscription that provides enhanced graphics with RTX technology, reduced waiting times, and extended session lengths.

1. Register for a GeForce Now account on their website. Choose between free or premium plans.
2. Install the GeForce Now app on your chosen device (PC, Mac, or mobile).
3. Link your Blizzard account in the GeForce Now app to access Fallout 4.
4. Use the search feature in the app to locate Fallout 4.
5. Click Play on Fallout 4 within the app to begin streaming the game.

3. Play Fallout 4 using Parallels

Fallout 4 is playable on Parallels, on Intel or M Macs, however you need to have at least 10 GB of RAM and discrete GPU, because Windows 10 or 11 VM eats many resources.

Parallels is a software application that allows users to run Windows and other operating systems simultaneously alongside macOS without rebooting. This virtualization technology is particularly popular among Mac users who need to access Windows applications for work or play. Parallels Desktop is known for its seamless integration, offering features like Coherence Mode, which allows applications from different operating systems to run side-by-side as if they are part of the same system. This makes it incredibly convenient for users to switch between macOS and Windows applications. Additionally, Parallels is designed to optimize performance, ensuring that both the Mac and the virtualized environments run efficiently. This software is a robust solution for those who require multiple operating systems but prefer to use one computer. Here’s how to use it:

1. Go to the Parallels website, download the installer and apply for free trial.
2. Install a Windows operating system within Parallels. You’ll need a Windows license.
3. On Windows, download and install Fallout 4 as you would on a PC (using Steam).
4. Launch the game within the Windows virtual machine.

Install Windows 11 on Mac with Parallels (Step 1)

Install Windows 11 on Mac with Parallels (Step 2)

Install Windows 11 on Mac with Parallels (Step 3)

Install Windows 11 on Mac with Parallels (Step 4)

4. Use Boot Camp (for Intel-based Macs only)

Note: Boot Camp is not supported on Macs with M1/M2/M3 chips.

Boot Camp is a utility software included with macOS that allows users to install and run Windows on Macintosh computers in a dual-boot configuration. By partitioning the computer’s hard drive, Boot Camp enables a Mac to boot either into macOS or Windows, providing full system performance for Windows as it runs natively on the hardware. This solution is ideal for Mac users who need to run Windows applications that do not have macOS versions or who require the performance benefits of running certain programs directly on the hardware without virtualization overhead. Boot Camp simplifies the installation process, guiding users through the setup with step-by-step instructions and making it straightforward to switch between operating systems.

1. Get the Windows 10 ISO file (Windows 11 ISO file) from the Microsoft website. Choose the version that matches your license.
2. Find Boot Camp in the Utilities folder within your Applications. Open it to start the setup.
3. Use Boot Camp Assistant to allocate space on your hard drive for Windows. Follow the on-screen instructions to adjust the partition size.
4. Follow the prompts in Boot Camp Assistant to begin the Windows installation. Your Mac will reboot into the Windows setup.
5. During the Windows installation, choose the BOOTCAMP partition and format it.
6. Complete the installation by following the Windows setup instructions.
7. To switch between macOS and Windows, restart your Mac and hold the Option key to select the operating system you want to use.
8. Once Windows is installed, set up Fallout 4 like on any PC.