Mac compatibility
Can you play X-Plane 12 on a Mac?
Short answer: There's a native Mac version on Steam — the easy route. The Windows version requires DirectX 12, which Grapple runs through D3DMetal, but we haven't tested it.
What we know
Steam ships a macOS build of X-Plane 12 with the same purchase as the Windows version. Steam's Mac requirements list macOS 12 (Monterey) or newer. If your Mac meets those requirements, the native version is the better route — nothing is being translated.
The Windows version is what Grapple would run. Its minimum and recommended requirements both list DirectX 12, though the minimum graphics line asks for a Vulkan 1.3-capable card.
Grapple ships Apple's D3DMetal, which handles DirectX 11 and 12, so there is nothing extra for you to download. That's an expectation, not a result — we haven't tested it yet.
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 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
Test record
None yet.
Played it on Grapple?
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FAQ
Can I play X-Plane 12 on a Mac?
Steam ships a macOS build of X-Plane 12 with the same purchase as the Windows version. Steam's Mac requirements list macOS 12 (Monterey) or newer. Likely to work — not tested yet, 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 X-Plane 12 from working?
There's a native Mac version too — this expectation is about the Windows version run through Grapple. DirectX 12 is the newest thing Grapple translates, so it's also where we've seen the most surprises. Nobody has run this one yet.
Which DirectX does X-Plane 12 use?
X-Plane 12's requirements list DirectX 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 X-Plane 12?
Steam ships a macOS build of X-Plane 12 with the same purchase as the Windows version. Steam's Mac requirements list macOS 12 (Monterey) or newer.
Sources
Every factual claim on this page comes from these. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.
- Steam store page — system requirements, supported platforms and DRM/anti-cheat notices (checked 28 September 2026)
Try X-Plane 12 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.
X-Plane 12 is a trademark of its owner and is named here only to identify the game. Grapple isn't affiliated with or endorsed by Laminar Research.