Steam Adds Native Apple Silicon Support, Ending Rosetta 2 Dependence

Steam Apple Silicon support is finally here, marking a major milestone for Mac gamers. In a long-awaited update, Valve has introduced native support for Macs powered by Apple’s M-series chips. This means that Steam no longer relies on Rosetta 2 emulation to function on Apple Silicon, resulting in faster performance, better efficiency, and a smoother gaming experience on modern Macs.

If you've been wondering whether Steam runs natively on Apple Silicon, the answer is now a solid yes. This change comes as Apple begins phasing out Intel-based Mac support, making native compatibility crucial for the future of gaming on macOS. Here's everything you need to know about Steam's new Apple Silicon support, how to access it, and what it means for the Mac gaming community.

Why Steam Apple Silicon Support Matters Now

With Apple transitioning all new Macs to its in-house ARM-based M1, M2, and now M3 chips, native software compatibility is more important than ever. Until now, Steam required Rosetta 2, Apple’s translation layer that lets Intel-based apps run on Apple Silicon. While effective, Rosetta 2 is a temporary solution — not optimized for performance or long-term support.

The latest Steam client beta changes that. According to Valve, both the Steam Client and Steam Helper apps now run natively on Apple Silicon. This is a huge win for gamers and developers, unlocking the full potential of M-series chips without the overhead of emulation. Mac users can expect better game load times, lower battery drain, and enhanced thermal efficiency — all critical for smooth, immersive gameplay.

How to Access the Steam Beta with Apple Silicon Support

If you want to try out the improved experience today, you’ll need to opt into the Steam Client Beta. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the Steam app on your Mac.

2. In the top menu bar, go to Steam > Settings > Interface.

3. Under Client Beta Participation, select Steam Beta Update from the dropdown.

4. Restart Steam when prompted.

Once the update is applied, you’ll be running Steam natively on your Apple Silicon Mac — no more Rosetta 2 in the background.

This update is especially timely, given Apple’s confirmation that macOS Tahoe will be the last major update for Intel-based Macs. Apple also revealed that Rosetta 2 will only be supported through macOS 27, further emphasizing the urgency of native compatibility for developers and platforms like Steam.

What This Means for the Future of Mac Gaming

The arrival native Steam Apple Silicon support signals a broader shift in the Mac gaming landscape. Apple’s hardware — once considered unfriendly to gaming — is becoming increasingly capable thanks to high-performance chips like the M3 Pro and M3 Max. With Steam now optimized for this hardware, develoof pers have a stronger incentive to port and optimize their games for macOS.

This is also a clear message from Valve: Mac gaming isn’t dead — it's evolving. Native support paves the way for better integration with Apple’s Metal graphics API, which can further improve rendering performance in future game titles. For players, this means a growing library of supported games that don’t just run, but run well on Mac.

As Apple deprecates Intel support and scales back Rosetta 2, this update ensures that Steam stays future-ready. It also reassures users investing in MacBooks and iMacs that they won’t be left behind in the world of PC gaming.

Why This Update Is a Big Deal

In 2025, native application support isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s essential. The introduction of Steam Apple Silicon support eliminates a major performance bottleneck, future-proofs the platform for macOS, and shows Valve’s commitment to delivering a great experience for all users — including those on Macs.

With Apple moving away from Intel-based Macs and Rosetta 2 nearing its sunset, native support ensures long-term compatibility and better performance. If you're a Mac gamer or considering switching to Apple hardware, this update makes Steam a more viable option than ever before.

Whether you’re launching AAA titles or indie games, running Steam natively on Apple Silicon will now deliver the performance, efficiency, and stability you’ve been waiting for.