Yes, Fortnite runs on M1 Macs via Rosetta 2.
[toc] In spite of being a few years old, Fortnite remains one of the most popular games in the world.
It’s still amazing how it went from a smallish coop game to becoming the king of Battle Royale first-person shooters in a few short months. Nowadays, it remains one of the best free games you can find.
More M1 gaming? Visit our M1 Supported Games list for 100+ Mac games we have tested and confirmed as M1-compatible.
| Art | Game | Genre | 64-bit? | 64-bit | API | M1 Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Fortnite | Shooter | Yes |  | Metal | Rosetta |
Fortnite M1 Mac support
Yes, Fortnite runs on M1 Macs with Apple Silicon via Rosetta 2.
Last Updated: Oct 29, 2021:
What is Rosetta 2? Rosetta 2 is a translation process that enables an M1 Mac with Apple silicon to use apps built for Intel-based Macs.
The game was tested on the following M1 Mac:
- 13-inch MacBook Air (2020): 2.0 GHz Intel Core i5, 8 GB RAM, Intel Iris Graphics 540 (1.5GB)
As you can see below, the game is still exclusively written for Intel-based Macs, but thanks to Rosetta 2, Fortnite can nonetheless run great on M1 Macs:
Tested versions:
- MacBook Air: MacOS Big Sur version 11.1
- Fortnite: Version 4.24.0
Fortnite M1 Mac benchmarks
These are the Fortnite M1 benchmarks we have gathered so far:
| Game | Machine | Resolution | Settings | FPS | Tester | Tested |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fortnite | 💻 M1 MacBook Air 13", 7-core GPU, 8 GB | 1440x900 | Medium | 61 | Mac Gamer HQ | 29/10/2021 |
| Fortnite | 💻 M1 MacBook Air 13", 7-core GPU, 8 GB | 1440x900 | High | 42 | Mac Gamer HQ | 29/10/2021 |
As a reminder, this is how we describe the different levels of performance:
- Below 20 FPS: Unplayable: Laggy gameplay, full of stutters and slowdowns.
- 20-30 FPS: Borderline: Can be OK in slow-paced games. Still, not optimal.
- 30-45 FPS: Playable: Acceptable for most (most gaming consoles do this).
- 45-60 FPS: Smooth: Fluid gameplay, with no perceivable stutters.
- 60+ FPS: Very Smooth: For hardcore and professional players, a luxury for most.
We usually aim for 30 FPS, because 30 FPS is enough to guarantee a smooth and fluid experience for most casual gamers.
Submit & Request M1 results
To take our M1 benchmarks and compatibility tests to the next level, we definitely need your support!
If you’re interested in testing games on your own M1 Mac, you can use this form:
You can also join our Discord to request a game or talk with other M1 Mac users.
Fortnite Mac requirements
These are the game’s official Mac requirements:
| Minimum Requirements | |
| OS: | 10.14.6 |
| Processor: | 3.3 GHz Intel Core i3 |
| Memory: | 4 GB RAM |
| Graphics: | Intel Iris Pro 5200 or equivalent AMD GPU |
| Metal support is required | |
Fortnite on Mac: Verdict
Unfortunately, the Mac version of the game has never been in such a poor state.
Ever since its developer, Epic Games, started a legal battle against Apple, Fortnite is no longer receiving updates on Mac nor iOS. Things have escalated so much that entire modes have become unavailable on Fortnite for Mac. The same goes from cross-platform multiplayer.
From Fortnite’s Twitter account:
Apple is preventing us from distributing games on Mac which ends our ability to develop Fortnite: Save the World for the platform. Beginning September 23, 2020, Save the World will no longer be playable on Mac.
In spite of a lack of updates, Fortnite: Battle Royale remains fully functional on Mac and there are still more than enough players to fill lobbies instantly.
The game itself continues to be beloved by critics, especially because Fortnite continues to reinvent itself and experiment in ways no other game ever (successfully) has:
9.6 on IGN
Fortnite Mac download
You can download Fortnite from Epic Games.
And more importantly, if you have your own M1 test results to share, on this game or another, please share them with us using this form.
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