Mac compatibility
Can you play War Thunder on a Mac?
Short answer: There's a native Mac version on Steam — start there. The Windows build uses BattlEye's kernel driver, which Grapple can't load, and we haven't tested it.
What we know
Steam lists War Thunder for Windows, macOS and Linux. The Mac requirements ask for macOS Catalina 10.15 or newer with Metal support, so the native client is the straightforward route on a Mac — no Grapple needed.
The Windows build's minimum requirements call for DirectX 11 and its recommended requirements DirectX 12, both of which Grapple covers.
Steam's store page discloses that the Windows build uses a kernel level anti-cheat, BattlEye, which needs manual removal after uninstalling. Gaijin switched War Thunder to BattlEye at the end of 2024.
AreWeAntiCheatYet lists War Thunder as supported on Linux/Proton. Proton is built on Wine like Grapple, but whether that carries over to Wine on macOS is exactly what a test has to show — and the Mac version makes that question mostly academic.
Grapple settings
Nothing verified yet. Where to start, based on its DirectX version (in the app, the same options are in the game's settings):
- DirectX 10/11: a new install is set to Automatic, which picks D3DMetal or DXMT for you. If the game won't start or renders wrongly, naming a layer is the usual next try:
grapple set Steam graphics dxmt - DirectX 12 runs through D3DMetal, which comes with Grapple — a new install already uses it, and nothing needs downloading. See the Game Porting Toolkit guide.
- To see frame rates, turn on the Metal HUD:
grapple set Steam hud on
Heads-up: this game uses BattlEye. Anti-cheat support can differ between Linux and macOS, so treat online play as unverified until someone has run it.
Test record
None yet.
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FAQ
Can I play War Thunder on a Mac?
Gaijin ships a macOS version of War Thunder: Steam lists the game for Windows, macOS and Linux, with macOS Catalina 10.15 and Metal support in the Mac requirements. That's the direct way to play it on a Mac. Won't run, but nobody has tested it with Grapple yet. That's what the game's published facts suggest, not a result. The page changes to Works once players report it working.
What might stop War Thunder from working?
It uses BattlEye. The developer enabled it for Linux/Proton, but we know of nothing equivalent for Wine on macOS, so treat online play as unverified. There is a native Mac version — that's the way to play it on a Mac.
Which DirectX does War Thunder use?
War Thunder's requirements list DirectX 11 and 12. Grapple starts it on D3DMetal, Apple's DirectX 11 and 12 translator, which Grapple includes and uses by default.
Is there a Mac version of War Thunder?
Gaijin ships a macOS version of War Thunder: Steam lists the game for Windows, macOS and Linux, with macOS Catalina 10.15 and Metal support in the Mac requirements. That's the direct way to play it on a Mac.
Sources
Every factual claim on this page comes from these. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.
- Steam store page — system requirements, platforms and anti-cheat disclosure (checked 23 September 2026)
- AreWeAntiCheatYet — War Thunder, listed as "Supported" on Linux/Proton (checked 23 September 2026)
- Wikipedia — BattlEye (checked 21 September 2026)
Try War Thunder yourself
Grapple's Free plan runs one game, forever, so you can find out on your own Mac without paying. Then tell us how it went with the buttons above, so the next player knows.
War Thunder is a trademark of its owner and is named here only to identify the game. Grapple isn't affiliated with or endorsed by Gaijin Entertainment.