Wine for Mac

Wine for Mac is a highly reliable compatibility layer that allows users to run full Windows applications directly on macOS hardware.

It enables Mac users of all technical knowledge levels to run a wide range of Windows software, including games, productivity apps, and more, without the need for a Windows operating system or even an active Windows OS license key!

Note: CrossOver is a polished version of Wine provided by CodeWeavers.

The Wine development (source code) release 9.4 (March 8, 2024) is available for download. For instructions on how to install the source code, you can click here.

With three decades of history of providing secure and stable emulation of Windows hardware on Linux and macOS environments, this app today manages to effortlessly translate Windows API calls and associated dependencies into a native Mac processing that can easily run even on resource-restricted laptops.

In addition to the traditional desktop apps, this compatibility layer can even intercept DirectX 11 and DirectX 12 calls to the GPU, translating them automatically into Metal API, enabling many modern games to run great on Mac hardware.

This software also serves as the base for many other emulators, providing backend services to a wide variety of user-friendly Windows apps emulators such as WineBottler, PlayOnMac, DOSBox, and others.

Today, Wine has a significant impact on the daily workflows of millions of Mac users by providing streamlined access to Windows applications that are not natively available on macOS, dramatically expanding the software options for Mac users.

Main Features

• Windows Application Compatibility – Run a large variety of Windows applications for Mac computers.
• No Need for Windows OS – Run Windows applications without the need to install a Windows OS.
• Customization – Easily optimize the performance of Windows applications on macOS.
• Open Source – Join the large community that contributes to the ongoing development of this popular Windows app emulator.
• Optimized for Mac – Take full advantage of Windows apps on both Intel processors and Apple Silicon.

Installation and Setup

Installing this app on a Mac computer involves downloading the official installer and following the installation instructions provided.

Once installed, users can configure the app to run specific Windows applications by following the setup guidelines available on the official website.

Official versions of this app are distributed both as a compiled application and as a source code archive.

How to Use

Users should be aware that by default this app runs in command line mode, and that users can call for its GUI by typing “wine program.exe” or “winecfg” for the main configuration utility.

Windows applications can be launched through the Wine interface, which also features extensive customization options for individual applications. Users can optimize their performance within the Wine environment.

User Interface

Wine provides a somewhat complicated user interface for managing Windows applications on macOS.

Thus, novice users are recommended to get informed about the app's functions via provided documentation and extensive online tutorials.

Seasoned users can easily focus on configuring settings, managing installed applications, and launching Windows software.

What's new in latest version:

• Bundled vkd3d upgraded to version 1.11.
• Initial OpenGL support in the Wayland driver.
• Support for elevating process privileges.
• More HID pointer improvements.
• Various bug fixes.

Change log

• All transitions from Windows to Unix code now pass through the NT syscall interface, marking a significant milestone in the multi-year effort to re-architect modules into PE format and establish a clear boundary between the Windows and Unix environments.
• An experimental Wayland graphics driver is underway, featuring basic window management, multi-monitor support, high-DPI scaling, relative motion events, and Vulkan compatibility, though still in development.
• With the completion of the PE/Unix separation, existing Windows binaries can now be run on ARM64 platforms.
• The loader now accommodates ARM64X and ARM64EC modules.
• Initial support is available for building Wine for the ARM64EC architecture using an experimental LLVM toolchain. Once ready, this toolchain will facilitate a proper ARM64X build and enable 64-bit x86 emulation.
• The PostScript driver has been reimagined to operate from Windows-format spool files, eliminating direct calls from the Unix side.
• WinRT theming introduces a dark theme option with a corresponding toggle in WineCfg.
• The Vulkan driver now supports up to version 1.3.272 of the Vulkan spec.
• Several GdiPlus functions have been optimized for enhanced graphics performance.
• The multi-threaded command stream now employs sleep instead of spinning when idle, reducing power consumption for programs not fully utilizing the command stream's bandwidth.
• Direct3D 10 effects now support a wider array of instructions.
• Foundational work has been laid for several DirectMusic modules, with numerous tests added to validate the behavior of the dmime sequencer and dmsynth MIDI synthesizer.
• Implementation for DLS1 and DLS2 sound font loading, as well as SF2 format compatibility for Linux standard MIDI sound fonts, is now available.
• MIDI playback is now supported in dmsynth, incorporating the software synthesizer from the FluidSynth library and utilizing DirectSound for audio output.
• Doppler shift functionality has been integrated into DirectSound.
• The Indeo IV50 Video for Windows decoder has been implemented.
• The Windows Media Video (WMV) decoder DirectX Media Object (DMO) is now functional.
• DirectInput action maps have been implemented, enhancing compatibility with older games that rely on this feature to map controller inputs to in-game actions.
• The default Windows version for new prefixes has been set to Windows 10.

And many more!

FAQ

What is Wine for macOS?
It is an open-source and free-to-use compatibility layer that allows users to run Windows applications on macOS.

Is it safe?
Yes. However, while Wine itself is safe to use, users should be careful when running insecure Windows software.

Alternatives

WineBottler – A streamlined utility that provides a simpler way to run Windows applications on macOS by bundling the Windows application and Wine into a single package.

CrossOver – A commercial tool based on Wine that offers enhanced compatibility and support for Windows app emulation on macOS.

DOSBox for Mac – A gaming-oriented emulation utility that allows seamless access to retro games on macOS hardware.

Pricing
This app is open-source and available for free personal and educational use.

System Requirements
The system requirements for Wine on Mac computers may vary based on the specific Windows applications being run.

PROS

• Wide Windows app compatibility.
• Eliminates the need for a separate Windows operating system.
• Stable and fast performing.
• Can run modern Windows video game apps.
• Open source.
• Free for use.

CONS

• No longer updated pkg installer on the official website, only "source code" is latest.
• Not compatible with all Windows apps.
• Novices may struggle with optimizing the performance of some apps.

Conclusion

Wine provides Mac users with the ability to run Windows applications on their macOS systems, expanding the software options available and enhancing the flexibility of the Mac operating system.

While it may require some technical expertise to configure and optimize, Wine offers a valuable solution for users seeking to access Windows software on their Mac computers.

Note: this listing is for the official release of Wine, which only provides source code. If you want a version of Wine that is packaged specifically for macOS, then use WineBottler!