It’s taken nearly five years, but Cyberpunk 2077 is finally making its way to macOS, with a native release for Apple Silicon Macs on July 17, 2025.
And this isn’t just the base game, it’s the Ultimate Edition, which includes the full Phantom Liberty expansion and every major patch to date.
The launch marks a turning point for gaming on macOS. For once, Mac users aren’t getting a cut-down port months later, they’re getting the real deal, optimized for the chips inside Apple’s latest M-series machines.
Until now, the only option was the use Crossover to play Cyberpunk on a Mac and although it works well, it requires a Crossover subscription and won’t offer the same performance as the new native version.
However, such are the demands of the game that you’ll need a high end Mac to play it.
Here’s what you need to know before diving into Night City on your Mac.
Table of Contents
Built Specifically For Apple Silicon
This isn’t a quick wrapper or a cloud version.
CD Projekt Red has worked with Apple to bring Cyberpunk 2077 natively to M-chip Macs using Metal 3 and Apple’s game porting toolkit 2.
That means it’s designed to run fast, look stunning, and take full advantage of what your Mac can do under the hood.
It also includes:
- MetalFX upscaling to boost performance without sacrificing visual detail.
- Support for path tracing on higher-end chips (M3 Pro, M4 Max, etc.), giving you next-gen lighting and reflections.
- HDR, spatial audio, and full compatibility with Apple accessories like the Magic Trackpad or external game controllers.
If you’ve ever wanted to see what your Mac is really capable of, this is the game to push it.
Minimum Requirements For Mac
Clearly, not every Mac will be able to run Cyberpunk 2077, and some users might need to make a few tweaks (or even upgrade their Mac) for the best experience.
Intel Macs are completely out of luck unfortunately so if you haven’t got one, check out our roundup of Mac hardware deals where you’ll find some good deals on Apple Silicon Macs.
To play Cyberpunk 2077 you’ll need a minimum of:
- A Mac with Apple Silicon (M1 or later).
- At least 16GB of unified memory. The game won’t launch on 8GB models.
- macOS 15.5 Sonoma or later.
- Enough storage space – expect the game and expansion to take up around 100GB. If you need some tips here on how to clear space, check out our guide on how to check storage on your Mac.
💡 Tip: If you’re not sure, you can check your Mac’s specs by clicking the Apple menu > “About This Mac”.
Best Settings For Smooth Gameplay
Once installed, Cyberpunk 2077 will automatically select the best settings for your Mac.
These presets are tailored to your Apple Silicon chip, which makes setup easy.
But if you want the best performance without dropping too many visual effects, here’s what we’d probably recommend based on which series of Apple Silicon chip you have.
| Mac Model | Suggested Settings |
|---|---|
| M1 / M2 | Medium graphics, MetalFX on, FSR on |
| M3 / M3 Pro | High graphics, path tracing off, MetalFX + FSR |
| M4 Pro / Max | Ultra graphics, path tracing on, HDR enabled |
Stick to plugged-in play on MacBooks. Performance drops quickly on battery, and the fans will kick in during longer sessions.
How It Plays On Different Macs
Based on early testing and what CDPR has shared, here’s a rough guide to how the game performs:
- MacBook Air M1 (16GB) – Playable at 1080p on Medium settings with MetalFX.
- MacBook Pro M2 Pro (16GB) – Smooth 60FPS at 1440p with High settings.
- Mac Studio M3/M4 Max (36GB) – Full 4K with path tracing, HDR, and ultra detail.
For ray tracing, CDPR recommends an M3 Mac or higher so earlier M-series chip Macs will be at a slight disadvantage.
If you’re on the edge spec-wise, close any open browser tabs and background apps before launching. This isn’t a game to play while running Logic Pro or Final Cut in the background.
Phantom Liberty Expansion Included
This version comes with Phantom Liberty, the game’s only major expansion.
It adds a new district, a spy-thriller storyline, and Idris Elba as a major character.
It’s widely considered the update that transformed Cyberpunk from a buggy mess into a serious contender for game of the year.
You’ll also get:
- All major patches, including the upcoming Patch 2.3, which drops on the same day as the Mac version.
- New photo mode tools.
- Quality-of-life improvements across the board.
Cross-Progression From Console Or PC
If you’ve already played Cyberpunk 2077 on Steam, Xbox or PlayStation, good news, your progress can carry over to Mac.
Make sure cross-save is enabled in your CD Projekt Red account before launching the game on macOS.
This also opens up the chance to switch between MacBook and Steam Deck (via cloud sync), depending on where you are.
The Wait Is Over
For years, Cyberpunk 2077 felt like something Mac users could only experience through YouTube videos or cloud gaming workarounds.
Now, it’s about to become one of the best-looking AAA titles available natively on a Mac.
This release isn’t just a win for CD Projekt Red, it’s a major statement that Mac gaming is no longer an afterthought.
So if you’ve got an Apple Silicon Mac with the specs to match, clear some space, plug in your controller, and get ready.