As a macOS user, you might often find yourself limited when it comes to playing some of the most popular video games, such as Riot Games’ Valorant.
The game’s exciting mix of strategy and first-person shooter elements has quickly made it a favorite among gaming enthusiasts worldwide.
While there isn’t a native macOS version of Valorant, there are workarounds that make it possible to play this thrilling game on your Macbook.
Can I play Valorant on my Macbook?
If you want to play Valorant on your MacBook, you can do so by using a tool called Boot Camp.
This tool lets your Mac run Windows, which allows you to play Valorant just like you would on a Windows computer.
Install Windows on Mac to play Valorant
Mac users cannot utilize virtual machine software such as Parallels or Shadow to run Valorant on their MacOS computers. This is because Valorant is not compatible with virtual machines.
Riot’s latest anti-cheat software, Vanguard, is one of the main reasons why Macbook users can’t rely on virtual machines to join the fun.
But if you really want to play Valorant on Mac, you need to create a Windows partition and install Microsoft’s OS.
To do this, you can use Bootcamp which is a native macOS utility that allows you to install another OS on your machine.
How to install Windows on macOS using Bootcamp
Installing Windows on your Macbook using Bootcamp takes some time.
Ensure that your Mac meets the minimum system requirements for Valorant and Boot Camp.
You need at least 4GB of memory and 40GB of disk space for Windows and additional space for the game itself.
If you haven’t installed Windows on Mac before, you can check out Apple’s support page for detailed instructions.
Here are the steps to follow.
⇒ 1. Backup your Mac
Before you begin, back up all important data on your Mac to an external drive or iCloud to prevent data loss.
⇒ 2. Download Windows 10 ISO File
Visit the official Microsoft website and download the Windows 10 disk image (ISO) file.
⇒ 3. Install Boot Camp
Navigate to the Utilities folder under Applications on your Mac and open Boot Camp Assistant.
⇒ 4. Partition your hard drive
Within Boot Camp Assistant, you’ll have to partition your hard drive to allocate space for Windows. Assign at least 40GB to 60GB to the Windows partition.
⇒ 5. Install Windows
After partitioning the hard drive, Boot Camp will ask for the Windows 10 ISO file. Select the downloaded ISO file and follow the instructions to install Windows on the partition.
Follow the instructions and when asked where you want to install Windows, select the BOOTCAMP partition and then click Format.
⇒ 6. Install Boot Camp Drivers
After Windows has been installed, your Mac will restart into Windows. A Boot Camp installer will automatically appear. Keep on following the on-screen instructions.
⇒ 7. Switch Between macOS and Windows
After setting up Windows, you can switch between macOS and Windows by restarting your Mac and holding the Option key to choose the operating system.
When you’re done, boot your Mac and install Valorant on your machine.
You want to switch between the two operating systems, restart your Mac, and press and hold the Option (or Alt) key during startup.
Enjoy playing Valorant on your Mac!
Updated: June 2023.