Valve has officially released a beta version of the Steam client that runs natively on Apple Silicon Macs—a huge leap forward for gaming on macOS.
Since Apple’s transition to its own ARM-based M-series chips (M1, M2, M3), many users have been waiting for major apps to take full advantage of the architecture. Until now, Steam ran through Rosetta 2, Apple’s translation layer designed to keep Intel apps functioning on new hardware. While that worked, it wasn’t ideal—until now.
✅ What’s New in the Native Steam Client?
The latest Steam beta update for macOS is now a Universal app, meaning it includes both Intel and native ARM code. This allows it to run directly on Apple Silicon Macs without any emulation.
Key benefits:
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Improved performance: Faster load times and smoother UI
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Lower power usage: Better efficiency on laptops = longer battery life
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System-friendly: Better integration with macOS and fewer Rosetta-related bugs
🛠️ How to Enable the Beta on Your Mac
Want to try it? It only takes a few clicks:
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Open Steam and go to Steam > Settings (or Preferences).
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In the Interface tab, find the “Client Beta Participation” dropdown.
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Select Steam Beta Update, then click OK.
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Restart Steam when prompted.
To confirm it’s working natively, open Activity Monitor, search for “Steam,” and look under the “Kind” column—it should say Apple, not Intel.
🎮 What About Game Compatibility?
Here’s the catch: while the client is now native, many games are still Intel-based. Some will still rely on Rosetta 2, and others may not run at all unless updated or played through tools like CrossOver or Parallels.
That said, there’s growing support for ARM-native titles. Valve even curates a list of games that run natively on Apple Silicon:
👉 Check it out on Steam’s Curator Page
🧭 Why This Matters
Apple has signaled its long-term focus is on Apple Silicon, with Intel Macs slowly being phased out. Having native versions of essential apps like Steam is a critical step toward a better, more stable, and high-performance Mac gaming experience.
For Mac users who game—even casually—this is a meaningful upgrade that brings the platform one step closer to true gaming legitimacy.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve got an M1, M2, or M3 Mac, now’s the perfect time to try the new Steam beta and experience the performance gains firsthand.
Have you tested the new version? Noticed a difference? Share your experience in the comments below!
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