Steam Dropping Old Macs? What to Know

Yes, Steam is dropping support for older Macs. As of September 2024, the Steam client no longer runs on macOS 10.13 High Sierra or 10.14 Mojave, and the Mac App Store version of Steam was retired entirely. This means Macs from roughly 2012 or earlier that can’t upgrade past Mojave can no longer launch the Steam client or play most games through it.

Why Steam Ended Support for These macOS Versions

Steam’s system requirements for macOS now state that macOS 10.15 Catalina or newer is needed. The reason is straightforward: Steam relies on an embedded version of Chromium (the open-source browser engine) for its store, library, and community pages. Chromium’s own support policy drops older operating systems after they become outdated, and Apple stopped providing security updates for High Sierra and Mojave years ago. Running a browser engine on an unsupported OS creates security risks and makes it hard to patch vulnerabilities. Valve, the company behind Steam, also needs to focus its development resources on versions of macOS that are still actively maintained by Apple.

Which Macs Are Affected?

Any Mac that cannot upgrade to macOS Catalina (10.15) or later is affected. In practical terms, that means most Macs from 2012 and earlier, plus some early 2013 models. Here’s a quick list of Macs that are stuck on Mojave or older:

• iMac (Late 2012 and earlier)
• MacBook Pro (Mid 2012 and earlier)
• MacBook Air (Mid 2012 and earlier)
• Mac mini (Late 2012 and earlier)
• Mac Pro (Late 2013 and earlier, though some can be patched)

If you’re not sure what your Mac is, click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select “About This Mac.” The year and model name will appear there. You can also check the “Overview” tab for the macOS version number.

What Happens When You Try to Use Steam on an Old Mac?

If you try to launch the Steam client on a Mac running High Sierra or Mojave, you’ll see an error message saying that Steam requires macOS 10.15 or newer. The client will not open. You also can’t download the Steam app from the Mac App Store anymore because Valve removed it from that store in September 2024. The only official way to get Steam on a Mac is to download the installer from steampowered.com, and that installer will refuse to run on unsupported systems.

Your Steam account and game library are not lost. They remain tied to your account, and you can still access them from another computer or a newer Mac. The games themselves are also still owned, but you won’t be able to install or play them on the old Mac via the Steam client.

Can You Still Play Steam Games on an Old Mac?

Technically, yes, but not through the official Steam client. Some users have found workarounds, such as using an older version of the Steam client that still runs on Mojave, but this is not supported by Valve and can be risky. The client will likely fail to connect to Steam’s servers or show errors because the backend is designed to work with newer versions. Another option is to use a third-party tool like Porting Kit, which can run Windows games on Mac using Wine, but this is complex and not guaranteed to work with every game. For most people, the practical answer is: no, you can’t play Steam games on a Mac that can’t run Catalina.

What About Games That Already Support Mojave?

Even if a specific game’s system requirements say it supports macOS 10.14, the game still needs the Steam client to launch. Since the client won’t run, the game won’t either. This is a common misconception—people think that if the game itself supports the OS, it should work. But Steam is the middleman, and without it, the game can’t start. Some games have standalone versions or are available through other stores like GOG or Epic Games Store, which might still support older macOS versions. But for Steam purchases, the client is required.

How to Check if Your Mac Can Upgrade to Catalina or Newer

Apple provides a free upgrade for any Mac that supports it. To check if your Mac can run a newer macOS, go to the Apple menu, then System Preferences (or System Settings on newer macOS), and click “Software Update.” If an update is available, you’ll see it there. If not, your Mac is too old for the latest version. For Catalina specifically, Apple lists these supported models:

• MacBook (Early 2015 and later)
• MacBook Air (Mid 2012 and later)
• MacBook Pro (Mid 2012 and later)
• Mac mini (Late 2012 and later)
• iMac (Late 2012 and later)
• iMac Pro (2017 and later)
• Mac Pro (Late 2013 and later)

Note that even if your Mac is on this list, you might need to upgrade the storage or memory to meet the minimum requirements. Catalina needs at least 4GB of RAM and 12.5GB of free disk space.

Alternatives for Old Mac Users

If your Mac is too old for Steam, you have a few options:

• Use a different gaming platform that still supports older macOS, like GOG or itch.io. These stores offer DRM-free games that don’t require a client to run.
• Play browser-based games, such as those on Kongregate or even Steam’s own Remote Play (if you have another computer).
• Upgrade your Mac’s hardware if possible. Some older Macs can be upgraded to run Catalina using third-party patchers like OpenCore Legacy Patcher, but this is unofficial and can be unstable.
• Consider buying a newer Mac, even a used one from 2015 or later, which will run Catalina or newer.

Keep in mind that even if you get a newer Mac, not all Steam games are available for macOS. Many multiplayer titles and newer AAA games are Windows-only. Check the game’s store page for the Apple logo to see if a Mac version exists.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Steam stop working on my Mac if I have Mojave?

Yes, as of September 2024, the Steam client will not open on macOS 10.14 Mojave or older. You’ll see an error message and the app will close. There is no official way to bypass this.

Can I still download Steam on my old Mac from the Mac App Store?

No. Valve removed the Steam app from the Mac App Store in September 2024. The only official download is from steampowered.com, and that installer requires macOS 10.15 or newer.

What happens to my Steam games if I can’t run Steam anymore?

Your games remain tied to your Steam account. You can install and play them on any other computer that meets the system requirements. You don’t lose your purchases, but you can’t access them on the old Mac.

Is there a way to make Steam work on an old Mac?

Unofficial methods like using older Steam client versions or third-party compatibility layers exist, but they are not supported by Valve and often break. The safest solution is to upgrade your Mac’s OS if possible, or use a different gaming platform.

Does Steam still support macOS Big Sur or Monterey?

Yes, Steam supports macOS 10.15 Catalina and newer, including Big Sur (11), Monterey (12), Ventura (13), Sonoma (14), and Sequoia (15). As long as your Mac can run one of these, Steam will work.

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