How to Play SMITE on macOS: 6 Ways

SMITE is a popular Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) game that allows players to select different deities to fight. However, Mac users are in for a tough time if they want to play as SMITE doesn’t appear to be available on macOS. The good news is that there are several ways to access it.

Is SMITE available natively on macOS?

In a way, yes. SMITE was available natively on macOS as a 32-bit game until version 10.14, Mojave. As of version 10.15 Catalina, macOS only supports 64-bit applications. However, SMITE developers have decided not to port the game to a 64-bit app.

1. Play SMITE on macOS with Boot Camp

Using Boot Camp is probably the easiest (technically speaking) way to play SMITE on your Mac. However, since this requires a separate Windows installation on your computer, you won’t be able to play it on macOS. Additionally, Apple Silicon Macs do not support Boot Camp, so computers with an M1 or newer CPU are not an option.

2. Install an older macOS version to play SMITE

Another option is to install macOS Mojave or an even older version on your Mac to run SMITE. However, there are a few disadvantages.

First, the developers decided not only not to port SMITE to 64-bit, but also to stop maintaining the macOS version altogether. Therefore, even if you manage to run the game, all updates released since 2019 will be missing. And since macOS Mojave will no longer receive security updates in 2021, you’ll also be vulnerable to malware.

Second, even if you ignore the risks and limitations mentioned above, you won’t be able to install macOS Mojave on newer Macs. Machines launched after the release of macOS Catalina on October 7, 2019 are not compatible with Mojave.

3. Use Steam Link to play SMITE on macOS

Maybe you have a Windows computer running SMITE but would prefer to play the game on your Mac. In this case, using Steam Link is the best option. You need a good connection on both computers as the game is streamed from PC to Mac.

Speaking of connections, keep an eye on your ping!

SMITE is an online game and depends heavily on connection quality. This means good bandwidth, but also low latency. With a high ping, your in-game actions will take longer to reach the servers.

Ping can be the difference between winning and losing a game or even result in an unplayable experience. To ensure you’re fully prepared for online gaming sessions, don’t forget to check the latency of SMITE servers.

4. Play SMITE on macOS with Cloud Gaming Services

Instead of streaming the game from another computer, there is also the option of renting remote computers. Check out some cloud gaming services below that let you play SMITE on macOS. The listed platforms support most major game stores, so you can easily download the game via your Steam account, for example.

4.1. GeForce NOW

NVIDIA’s GeForce NOW has the advantage of being powered by a company that specializes in gaming hardware. This way, you can be sure that the people maintaining your cloud computer know its inner workings better than anyone else.

GeForce NOW has a free tier with sessions limited to 60 minutes and basic gaming rigs. For $10/month, the Priority tier gets you six-hour sessions with more advanced hardware and 1080p streaming at 60 FPS. Finally, the Ultimate subscription allows up to eight hours per session at 4K resolution at 120 FPS and costs $20 per month.

4.2. Boosteroid

Boosteroid is another cloud gaming service that allows you to play SMITE on macOS. It works similarly to GeForce NOW: you rent a remote computer and play games on it.

Boosteroid can be accessed via a browser or via the corresponding app. The service costs €15/month, with a half-yearly subscription of €80.

4.3. Shadow PC

Finally, Shadow PC takes a different approach. Although you also rent a computer from the company’s data centers, the service provides you with a full Windows interface. This allows you to run not only your favorite games, but basically any app.

Shadow’s subscriptions range from $20 to $50 per month. Higher tiers have more powerful hardware.

For a long time, SMITE fans using macOS were unable to play the game. However, these days there are many different ways to enjoy MOBA on your Mac. Choose the option that best suits your needs, and most importantly, have fun!