As an avid gamer, I know that Fortnite is one of the most popular video games on the market. Its Battle Royale mode has attracted millions of players from all corners of the world. This has led me to wonder: is it possible to run Fortnite on my MacBook Air? And if so, how can I do it?
After conducting some research, I have found that it is indeed possible to run Fortnite on a MacBook Air. However, it’s worth noting that you will be running an older version of the game unless you utilize alternative methods such as cloud streaming.
In this article, I will explore the topic of whether or not you can run Fortnite on your MacBook Air, as well as highlight some important caveats to keep in mind before diving into the game. So, let’s dive in!
Method #1: Running Fortnite Natively Via MacOS
Contrary to popular belief, you can run Fortnite natively on macOS. It is downloadable directly via the Epic Games Store and installs just fine. Currently, here are the list of services available within Fortnite that you can use via native installation:
Service | Playable? |
Fortnite Save The World | No |
Fortnite Battle Royale Latest Version | No |
Fortnite Battle Royale Chapter 2 Season 3 (v13.40) | Yes |
As you can see, we cannot play the latest version of Fortnite on macOS. This is because of the Epic v Apple lawsuit that is currently going on which has led to Epic Games not updating their version of Fortnite for all Apple devices.
This means that if you decide to play natively, you will only be matched with Apple device players. So, while there is crossplay – you will only be matched with other iPad, iPhone, and macOS players.
Why Apple Banned Fortnite? How To Play Fortnite On iPad
And, in the grand scheme of things, it is a very small amount. In fact, we’ve not been able to find matches for over 10 minutes straight. Moreover, when we do find them – they’re primarily filled with bots with a few real players.
All in all, the experience is sub-par to say the least especially because we don’t have access to the latest updates which leads to worse FPS on all the devices that we’ve tested Fortnite on.
Will the Latest Version of Fortnite Come to MacBook Air?
As of yet, it is unclear to say whether we’ll ever get Fortnite updated and natively supported on Apple devices. This is because there’s still no clear verdict on the Apple v Epic lawsuit. Don’t worry though, we’ll be updating this space as soon as there’s a legitimate way to play Fortnite’s latest version natively on the MacBook Air.
Method #2: Using a Cloud Streaming Service
Perhaps the most common method to play Fortnite is by using a cloud streaming service on your MacBook Air. These work by establishing a connection between a server that is actually running Fortnite allowing you to stream the game and relay your inputs over the Internet.
If in an optimal location with great internet, you can expect little to no lag. However, your experience is going to vary depending on your geographic proximity to the datacenter and your internet connection alongside its overall stability.
We’ve used GeForce Now to play Fortnite on our MacBook Air and were met with a surprisingly playable solution. However, if you do use GeForce Now, we recommend using the Chrome version as all others tend to have some annoying micro-stutters.
You can opt for other cloud streaming services as well. However, GeForce Now seems to be the most consistent.
Can I Use Crossover to Play Fortnite on MacBook?
No, you cannot Crossover, Wine, or any other emulation software to play Fortnite on a Macbook. While you can run Windows using Parallels, for instance, Fortnite will not run because it uses EAC (Easy Anti-Cheat).
EAC requires direct kernel level-communication which your MacBook simply can’t provide by virtue of its locked bootloader. Therefore, regardless of whether you have an Apple Silicon-based MacBook or an older Intel-based one, you will not be able to install Windows and play Fortnite on your MacBook Air.
This also won’t be changing in the near future as EAC is expected to remain in Fortnite.
Conclusion
Whenever the lawsuit settles, we should see Fortnite coming back to Apple devices. Until then, cloud streaming remains the only practical solution for you to be able to play the game on your MacBook Air. If you really want to just test out your building skills, then, playing the native outdated version works fine too.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Can Fortnite run on Macbook Air M1?
Yes, Fortnite can run on MacBook Air M1. However, you will not be able to play the latest version of the game due to the Epic v Apple lawsuit. You can expect to get about 50-60 FPS at native resolution.
Can I Still play Fortnite on my Macbook?
Yes, you can still play Fortnite on your Macbook. But, you will only be matched with other macOS / Apple players and not the entirety of the Fortnite player base as you’ll be on an older version.
How many FPS is MacBook Air?
Depending on what game you play, your FPS can vary. However, if you are playing Fortnite on the MacBook Air, expect the entire 60 HZ / FPS screen to be used up as you’ll get around 40-60 FPS.
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