Playing Fortnite on Mac Silicon: The Complete Guide

The struggle is real for Mac gamers. When the Epic Games vs. Apple feud led to Fortnite’s removal from macOS, many of us, including myself, felt the sting. My son’s desire to team up for some Fortnite action sparked a quest: could we bypass the limitations and get this beloved battle royale running on our Mac Silicon machines? The answer, as it turns out, is a resounding “yes,” thanks to the ingenuity of talented developers. Let’s dive into how to bring Fortnite back to your Mac!

The Fortnite Ban and the Mac Silicon Solution

Since 2020, Fortnite has been unavailable on macOS due to a major dispute between Apple and Epic Games over App Store commissions. This left Mac gamers in the lurch. Fortunately, brilliant minds have been working on a workaround, using the iOS mobile version of Fortnite. This involves “sideloading” the iOS version onto your Mac Silicon. Essentially, we trick the Mac into thinking it’s a giant iPad.

What You’ll Need:

Before you start, ensure you meet these requirements:

• Apple Silicon Mac: This guide works on M1, M2, M3, or M4 Macs. Older Intel-based Macs are not supported.
• macOS 15.1 (or later): Ensure your operating system is up-to-date.

Step-by-Step Guide to Playing Fortnite on Mac Silicon

1- Download and Install Sideloadly: Sideloadly is the key tool for installing the Fortnite IPA file. Download it from the official website. Be aware that Sideloadly requires your Apple ID, which is used for signing the application. If you’re uncomfortable sharing your primary Apple ID, consider creating a throwaway account.

2- Get FnMacAssistant: This handy tool developed by isacucho facilitates the process. Download the latest version from the GitHub repository.

3- Choose Your IPA: FnMacAssistant offers different versions of the Fortnite IPA (iOS installation file):

• IPA Clean: The original, unmodified version.

• IPA Regular: Includes full-screen patches and removes device restrictions.

• IPA Tweak: This is the one we recommend! Developed by rt2746, it offers significant improvements for the Mac experience. It unlocks graphical options (Low, Medium, High, Epic), allows 120 FPS on compatible displays, and drastically improves mouse controls.

4- Sideload the IPA with Sideloadly:

1- In Sideloadly, select “Apple Silicon” in the dropdown menu.

2- Enter your Apple ID.

3- Drag and drop the downloaded IPA file. After a few minutes of processing and signing, Fortnite will be installed in your Applications folder.

5- The First Crash and the Patch: When you launch Fortnite for the first time, it will crash shortly after. This is expected.

6- Patch the App with FnMacAssistant: Run FnMacAssistant again and click “Patch App.” This modifies the embedded.mobileprovision file to enable the app to run on macOS. It’s a quick process.

7- Launch Fortnite and Enjoy! With the app patched, Fortnite should launch successfully on your Mac.

Performance and Control Considerations

You’ll be able to connect to your Epic account, and enjoy Fortnite on your Mac. Performance is generally good, even on entry-level M1 MacBooks.

While the “Tweak” version significantly enhances mouse control, a controller is still the best option. Epic Games officially supports MFi (Made for iOS) controllers on the mobile version.

Important Considerations

• Updates: When new IPA versions are released, you’ll need to repeat the process: download the new IPA, sideload it, let it crash, and then patch it. FnMacAssistant simplifies this, but it does require a little effort.
• Troubleshooting:
  • If you encounter the error “Fortnite cannot be opened because the developer did not intend for it to be run on this Mac”, delete the app, reinstall the IPA, let it crash, and then re-patch.
  • If FnMacAssistant fails to patch with a permissions error, go to System > Privacy & Security > App Management and add FnMacAssistant to the list of allowed apps.
• Community Support: The Fortnite Mac community is active. The official Fortnite Mac Discord is a great place to ask questions and share experiences. The developers are responsive and regularly release updates.

Conclusion:

Getting Fortnite running on a Mac Silicon isn’t a perfect solution, but it is a testament to the ingenuity of the gaming community. While the experience may not be exactly the same as playing on other platforms, it’s a fantastic way to enjoy Fortnite on your Mac. With a little effort, you can join the action, and maybe even snag a Victory Royale! Now, go forth and conquer the battlefield!