2 Easy Ways to Play Fortnite on Mac

Alvaro Trigo

Updated on: September 12, 2024

As Fortnite’s popularity continues to soar, playing it on Mac has become a topic of interest for many gamers. While Macs have traditionally been known for their limitations in gaming, you can still play Fortnite on your device in several ways.

This article will explain how to install Fortnite on your device and provide tips for the best gaming performance on the macOS system. Let’s find out the different ways you can play Fortnite on Mac.

Can You Play Fortnite on Mac?

Yes, you can play Fortnite on a Mac using Epic Games Launcher and Xbox Cloud Gaming. While Apple’s move to ban Epic Games made it difficult to update games, you can still enjoy the previous versions of Fortnite, like Chapter 2 Season 3.

Did you know you can download Fortnite on a Chromebook, too? Find out how.

Fortnite offers several game modes, including Battle Royale, Party Royale, Save the World, and Creative. Battle Royale is a PvP game with 100 players fighting to stand last. Save the World allows you to team up with other players to defend against zombie-like creatures known as husks.

Creative enables you to build and create your own World using Fortnite tools. Party Royale is a non-combat game, but you can socialize and attend events within the game.

Aside from Fortnite, you can also play Rocket League on Mac.

Why Did Apple Ban Fortnite on Mac?

Apple banned Fortnite on Mac because Epic Games added a payment system that allowed players to buy V-bucks directly from its store. Apple viewed this as a breach of contract. V-bucks are a digital currency that players can use to buy in-game items.

On top of that, Epic offered a discount to those who bought V-bucks directly from its store. While customers may have seen it as a loyalty bonus, Apple viewed it as an attempt to undercut a key revenue stream.

On the other hand, Epic believed that Apple was running a monopoly and the 30% revenue share was too high.

Apart from Fortnite, there are free games that you can play on your Mac.

System Requirements for Fortnite on Mac

Here are the system requirements to play Fortnite on Mac:

macOS Mojave (10.14.6) or Newer.
This specifies the minimum macOS version required for Fortnite to incorporate the latest features into the game.
2 GB VRAM.
Storing graphical data requires sufficient Video Random Access Memory (VRAM). A minimum of 2GB VRAM is necessary to ensure efficient management of graphical assets and prevent performance issues.
A MacBook That Supports Metal API.
A Mac that is compatible with the Metal Application Programming Interface (API) is vital. This ensures seamless communication between games and the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), enhancing performance.
8 GB RAM.
With a minimum of 8GB of RAM, the system can effectively load and manage game assets, ensuring smooth gameplay.
Nvidia GTX 660 or AMD Radeon HD 7870 Equivalent DX11 GPU or Better.
Fortnite requires robust GPU support for graphics rendering. The Nvidia GTX 660 or AMD Radeon HD 7870 graphics card is optimal for handling the game’s visual demands.
Core i5-7300U 3.5 GHz CPU or Higher.
The Central Processing Unit(CPU) is crucial for handling the game’s computation and logic. The required Core i5-7300U, operating at 3.5 GHz or higher, ensures the processor can perfectly manage Fortnite’s computational demands, enhancing gameplay.
76GB of Disk Space.
This is necessary for downloading and installing Fortnite. It is also essential for storing game files, textures, and other assets.

Learn more about the system requirements for Fortnite on Mac from Epic Games.

2 Ways to Play Fortnite on Mac

These are the two ways to play Fortnite on Mac:

Method 1. Xbox Cloud Gaming

Xbox Cloud is the best way to play Fortnite on Mac. As it supports Crossplay, you can play with friends on other platforms like Windows and PlayStation. However, you must connect your Xbox controller to your Mac to play the game.

Check out this video to connect your Xbox controller to your Mac:

Follow these steps to play Fortnite on Mac via Xbox Cloud gaming:

Step 1. Open the “Fortnite” on Xbox cloud gaming.
Step 2. Tap “Sign in”.
Step 3. Sign in using your Microsoft account.
Create an account if you don’t have one.
Step 4. Press “Play” to start gaming.

Method 2. Epic Games Launcher

Although the MacBook can run Fortnite using the Epic Games launcher, there are certain limitations. The Mac version of Fortnite only supports the older game versions, and crossplay support is unavailable.

This means that you cannot play with your friends or other players. Furthermore, Epic Games has restricted access to the item shop and V-Bucks on the Mac version.

Here are the steps to play Fortnite on macOS:

Step 1. Download “Epic Game Launcher”.
Step 2. Move the Epic Games launcher into the “Apps folder”.
Step 3. Open the Epic game launcher on your Mac and “Log in” with your account.
Step 4. Download “Fortnite” on Mac
Note: The download speeds depend on your device and internet connection.
Step 5. Open Fortnite and click “Launch”.

Looking for more games to enjoy? Here’s a list of free Mac Steam games.

Tips for Best Fortnite Mac Performance

Fortnite may crash if broken files and old applications burden your Mac. To boost your performance, you may need to implement various measures, from closing background apps to changing your power settings.

These are the detailed tips for the best Fortnite Mac performance:

Play in Full Screen Mode.
Playing Fortnite in full-screen mode gives the game complete access to system resources, reducing unnecessary background tasks. This makes the game more responsive, improving the overall gaming experience.
Adjust Graphic Settings.
Lowering your Mac’s graphical settings, such as effects and texture quality, can significantly reduce the strain on your system resources. This, in turn, can reduce system lag and enhance your gaming experience.
Clean Your Macs Hard Drive.
Over time, your Mac can accumulate unnecessary files and applications that can impact its performance. Regularly clean your device to ensure it maintains optimal performance. Tools like “CleanMyMac“ can remove temporary and duplicated files.
Close Applications Running on Background.
Unnecessary applications running simultaneously can consume system resources like the CPU and RAM required to play Fortnite on Mac smoothly. Close these applications to ensure maximum computing power is allocated to your gaming experience.
Change Your Power Settings.
Adjust the power settings to prioritize performance over energy savings. This will ensure that it operates at its maximum potential.

Related Post: How to Play Pokemon on Mac

Are MacBooks Good for Gaming?

Yes, MacBooks are good for gaming. They feature powerful hardware and an M1 or M2 chip to handle graphically demanding games. They also have a Liquid Retina display that offers vibrant colors and high resolutions, enhancing the virtual gaming experience.

Macbooks also have a good build quality, including sleek designs and premium materials, providing an enjoyable gaming experience. The operating system is also stable and reliable, making it suitable for running games.