Mac compatibility
Can you play MapleStory on a Mac?
Short answer: Try Nexon's Mac client instead — it's in beta, but it's official. The Windows client needs a kernel-level anti-cheat that Grapple can't load.
What we know
Steam's page for MapleStory lists macOS requirements of its own: macOS Sequoia 15 on an Apple Silicon Mac, with Metal 3. Nexon began the macOS beta on its own launcher in December 2025 and brought it to Steam in May 2026. It's still a beta service, but it's the official route on a Mac and it doesn't involve Grapple at all.
The Windows client is a different story: Steam discloses "Uses Kernel Level Anti-Cheat: NGS (Nexon Game Security) — Requires manual removal after game uninstall".
Grapple is built on Wine, which runs Windows programs in user space without a Windows kernel. A kernel-mode anti-cheat driver has nothing to load into, and no Grapple setting changes that — only the game's publisher can.
AreWeAntiCheatYet lists MapleStory as broken on Linux/Proton, and GamingOnLinux's Nexon Game Security list says the same. The Windows requirements list DirectX 11, but the anti-cheat decides this one, not the graphics layer.
What to do instead
Use the official Mac version described above — it's supported by the publisher and needs no Grapple.
Learn more in our guide to anti-cheat games on a Mac.
Test record
Not tested by us: the block is documented by the publisher or anti-cheat maker (see sources), and we don't try to bypass anti-cheat.
FAQ
Can I play MapleStory on a Mac?
Try Nexon's Mac client instead — it's in beta, but it's official. The Windows client needs a kernel-level anti-cheat that Grapple can't load.
Why doesn't MapleStory work with Grapple?
MapleStory relies on NGS (Nexon Game Security), which uses a kernel-mode driver on Windows. Grapple is built on Wine, which runs Windows programs in user space without a Windows kernel, so that driver can't load — and the publisher doesn't allow Wine-based layers. The same applies to CrossOver and other Wine-based tools. Only the game's developer can change that.
Will a future Grapple update make MapleStory work?
Not by itself. Anti-cheat blocks like this are decided by the publisher, not by compatibility tools. If the publisher changes its policy, we'll re-test and update this page.
Is there a Mac version of MapleStory?
Nexon ships a Mac client — still labelled a beta — listed on the same Steam page: macOS Sequoia 15 or newer on an Apple Silicon Mac, rendering through Metal 3. It came to Steam in May 2026.
Sources
Every factual claim on this page comes from these. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.
- Steam store page — system requirements and the "Uses Kernel Level Anti-Cheat" disclosure (checked 23 September 2026)
- Nexon — MapleStory macOS beta comes to Steam (May 2026) (checked 23 September 2026)
- AreWeAntiCheatYet — MapleStory, listed as "Broken" on Linux/Proton (checked 23 September 2026)
- GamingOnLinux — Nexon Game Security compatibility list (checked 23 September 2026)
- CodeWeavers — Why do most games with anti-cheat not work with CrossOver Mac? (Aug 31, 2026) (checked 21 September 2026)
Got other Windows games?
Plenty of Windows games have no anti-cheat problem at all. Check the list, request a test, or run one of your own games on Grapple's Free plan — it's free forever, and you can swap which game it is once every 30 days.
MapleStory is a trademark of its owner and is named here only to identify the game. Grapple isn't affiliated with or endorsed by NEXON Korea Corporation.