Can you play Elite Dangerous on Mac?
Probably yes. Elite Dangerous is rated Playable on Steam Deck, so it should run on a Mac, though it is not confirmed on a Mac yet.
Last checked · Source: Sommelier ratings, Steam Deck and anti-cheat data
Why Elite Dangerous is rated “Should work”
Valve rates Elite Dangerous “Playable” on Steam Deck, which usually means it runs, but may need some tweaks. That is the main reason it is rated “Should work” here.
It uses DirectX 11, which Sommelier translates to Metal with its own graphics layer. That works on both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs.
No anti-cheat is listed for the game, so nothing of that kind is known to block it.
- Mac versionNo, runs through Windows compatibility
- Single-playerYes
- Anti-cheatNone listed
- GraphicsDirectX 11
- Steam Deck ratingPlayable
Which Mac can run Elite Dangerous?
| Chip | Apple Silicon or Intel |
|---|---|
| How it runs | Sommelier’s graphics layer DirectX 11 translated to Metal. |
| macOS | 15 or later Sommelier needs macOS 15. |
| Disk space | 25 GB |
Where to get Elite Dangerous
- Steam
- DeveloperFrontier Developments
- Released2015
- Download size25 GB
Sommelier installs the game from your own library. You buy it in the store as usual; Sommelier does not sell games. See it on Steam
Where this rating comes from
- Steam Deck ratingPlayable
- Last checkedOctober 24, 2026
Ratings combine Valve’s Steam Deck rating, anti-cheat data and our own checks. When the facts change, the status here follows.
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Do I need Windows to play Elite Dangerous on Mac?
No. Sommelier runs the Windows version for you; you don’t install Windows or buy a licence.
Does online play work in Elite Dangerous on Mac?
No anti-cheat that blocks Macs is listed for Elite Dangerous, so nothing of that kind is known to stand in the way. Whether a given online feature works also depends on the game’s own servers.
Does Elite Dangerous run on an Intel Mac?
Yes. It uses DirectX 11, which Sommelier handles on both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs.
Can I use a controller with Elite Dangerous on Mac?
Yes. macOS supports Xbox and DualSense controllers over Bluetooth or USB. Whether Elite Dangerous has full controller support is shown on its store page.
Play Elite Dangerous on your Mac
Sommelier is a free app that tells you before you download whether a game will run, and sets it up for you.