How to Play Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition on Mac (It Has a Native Mac Version) · Pixel Port
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Native Mac build

How to play Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition on Mac

Steam lists a native Mac version of Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, included with your Steam purchase. Install that first — it needs no compatibility layer at all. Pixel Port is only worth it here if that build no longer runs, or you need the Windows version for mods.

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition installs through Pixel Port. Microsoft's licence check can block the first launch, so we list it as needs attention while we work through it.

Get the Mac version on Steam

What you need

  • Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, owned on your own Steam account
  • Apple Silicon (M1 or newer)
  • macOS 14+
  • ~30 GB free

If you want the Windows build of Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition instead

  1. 01

    Install Pixel Port

    Download Pixel Port and let the runtime set up on first launch.

  2. 02

    Install & Play

    Find Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition in the catalogue and click Install & Play.

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Common questions

Does Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition run on Mac?
Steam lists a native Mac version of Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, included with your Steam purchase. Install that first — it needs no compatibility layer at all. Pixel Port is only worth it here if that build no longer runs, or you need the Windows version for mods. If you specifically want the Windows build — for Windows-only mods, say — Pixel Port runs it, graded needs attention on Apple Silicon.
Is there a native Mac version of Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition?
Steam lists a native Mac version of Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, included with your Steam purchase. Install that first — it needs no compatibility layer at all. Pixel Port is only worth it here if that build no longer runs, or you need the Windows version for mods.
Do I need to own Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition on Steam?
Yes. Pixel Port does not sell, host, or distribute games. Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition downloads through Steam, to your own Steam account, exactly as it would on a PC — you need to own it there first. Pixel Port is the compatibility layer that runs the Windows build Steam delivers.
Do I need Windows, Boot Camp, or a VM to play Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition on Mac?
No. Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition has a native Mac version, so nothing needs translating at all — install it from Steam and play.
Which Macs can run Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition?
Any Apple Silicon Mac — M1 through M4, MacBook Air to Mac Studio — on macOS 14 or later.