How to play Forza Horizon 5 on Mac

Game Overview

Forza Horizon 5 is an open-world racing video game developed by Playground Games and published by Xbox Game Studios. Released on November 9, 2021, it is the fifth installment in the Forza Horizon series and the twelfth main entry in the Forza franchise. The game is set in a fictional representation of Mexico, featuring the largest and most diverse map in the series to date, with environments ranging from jungles and beaches to ancient Mayan temples and active volcanoes. Forza Horizon 5 offers a rich and immersive open-world experience where players can freely explore the map, participate in multiplayer races, and complete various challenges. The game includes a dynamic weather system and seasonal changes that affect the different biomes uniquely. Players can customize their cars extensively, including liveries, engine swaps, and body kits. The game also supports ray tracing for cars in the Forzavista mode. While Forza Horizon 5 is not natively available for macOS, there are several methods to play the game on a Mac. Among the latest available methods is using Crossover with Game Porting Toolkit 2, that allows to run Windows games on Mac and supports high-end games. Another way is to use cloud gaming services, such as Xbox Cloud and Geforce Now. Finally, if you have Intel-based Mac computer you can install Windows via BootCamp and install the game like on a regular PC.

1. Play Forza Horizon 5 with CrossOver via Steam

Game runs better with Game Porting Toolkit 2.0. Game Porting Toolkit (GPTK) 2.0 introduces several significant enhancements aimed at improving the gaming experience on Apple devices. Key updates include support for ray tracing, the AVX2 instruction set, and improved graphics and compute compatibility, which collectively enhance performance and visual fidelity. The toolkit also offers an expanded set of game technologies and tools for debugging and profiling games using Metal tools like Metal HUD, Metal GPU capture, and Metal System Trace. These improvements make it easier to port and optimize Windows games for Mac.

CrossOver is a software tool that enables users to run Windows applications on macOS and Linux without needing a Windows operating system license. It is based on the popular open-source Wine project and works by translating Windows API calls into POSIX calls on-the-fly, eliminating the performance and resource penalties of virtual machines. With CrossOver, users can seamlessly integrate Windows applications into their native environment, running them as if they were native applications on their Mac or Linux systems. This software is especially useful for those who need access to certain Windows-only programs for business, education, or gaming purposes, providing a streamlined and efficient solution without the complexity of dual-booting or maintaining a separate Windows installation. Here’s how to play Forza Horizon 5 using CrossOver through Steam:

1. Visit the CrossOver website, purchase the software, and download it. Install CrossOver on your Mac by dragging it into the Applications folder.
2. Open CrossOver, click Install a Windows Application, and select Steam from the list. Follow the prompts to install.
3. On the right side, in the Advanced Settings, switch D3DMetal and MSync toggles.
4. Launch Steam within CrossOver, log into your Steam account, find Forza Horizon 5 in the Steam store, and install it.
5. Navigate to the Library in Steam, find Forza Horizon 5, and click Play to start your simulation.

Install a Windows Application -> Steam

Install Steam on Mac via Crossover

2. Play Forza Horizon 5 on cloud gaming services (Xbox Cloud and Geforce Now)

Cloud gaming platforms stream games from remote servers, offering high performance without demanding hardware. Cloud gaming services are expanding the accessibility of gaming by eliminating many of the traditional barriers, such as the need for constant hardware upgrades and the initial cost of games. As internet speeds increase and technology advances, cloud gaming continues to grow as a popular alternative to traditional console and PC gaming.

Xbox Cloud

Xbox Cloud (formerly known as Project xCloud) is Microsoft’s cloud gaming service that enables players to stream a variety of Xbox games directly to their devices, such as smartphones, tablets, PCs, and consoles. This service is integrated with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, providing subscribers access to a vast library of games without the need for downloading them. Xbox Cloud Gaming supports playing games on the go with a compatible controller and a stable internet connection, offering the convenience of continuing your gaming session across multiple devices. It leverages Microsoft’s global network of Azure data centers to deliver low-latency gaming experiences, making it possible to play high-quality Xbox titles almost anywhere. Here’s a simplified guide to playing Forza Horizon 5 on Xbox Cloud Gaming:

1. Get Xbox Game Pass Ultimate – subscribe via the Xbox website.
2. Xbox Cloud Gaming works on macOS through supported browsers like Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome.
3. Open your browser and go to the Xbox Cloud Gaming website. Log into your Microsoft account that’s associated with your Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription.
4. Find Forza Horizon 5 in the cloud gaming section and click Play.
5. Stream and play Forza Horizon 5 directly on your Mac.

GeForce Now

GeForce Now is a cloud gaming service developed by NVIDIA that allows users to stream video games to their devices, leveraging NVIDIA’s powerful cloud-based GPU servers. This service enables gamers to play their own games from popular digital libraries such as Steam, Epic Games Store, and Uplay on virtually any device, including PCs, Macs, Shield TVs, and mobile devices. GeForce Now differentiates itself by not requiring users to purchase games from a specific library, instead allowing them to play games they already own, provided those games are supported on the service. It offers various membership tiers, including a free option and a premium subscription that provides enhanced graphics with RTX technology, reduced waiting times, and extended session lengths.

1. Register for a GeForce Now account on their website. Choose between free or premium plans.
2. Install the GeForce Now app on your chosen device (PC, Mac, or mobile).
3. Use the search feature in the app to locate Forza Horizon 5.
4. Click Play on Forza Horizon 5 within the app to begin streaming the game.

3. Use Boot Camp (for Intel-based Macs only)

Note: Boot Camp is not supported on Macs with M1/M2/M3 chips. Forza Horizon 5 is quite resource-demanding, so only latest Intel-based Mac with discrete graphic cards can handle it (some MacBooks Pro, iMacs Pro, Macs Pro).

Boot Camp is a utility software included with macOS that allows users to install and run Windows on Macintosh computers in a dual-boot configuration. By partitioning the computer’s hard drive, Boot Camp enables a Mac to boot either into macOS or Windows, providing full system performance for Windows as it runs natively on the hardware. This solution is ideal for Mac users who need to run Windows applications that do not have macOS versions or who require the performance benefits of running certain programs directly on the hardware without virtualization overhead. Boot Camp simplifies the installation process, guiding users through the setup with step-by-step instructions and making it straightforward to switch between operating systems.

1. Get the Windows 10 ISO file (Windows 11 ISO file) from the Microsoft website. Choose the version that matches your license.
2. Find Boot Camp in the Utilities folder within your Applications. Open it to start the setup.
3. Use Boot Camp Assistant to allocate space on your hard drive for Windows. Follow the on-screen instructions to adjust the partition size.
4. Follow the prompts in Boot Camp Assistant to begin the Windows installation. Your Mac will reboot into the Windows setup.
5. During the Windows installation, choose the BOOTCAMP partition and format it.
6. Complete the installation by following the Windows setup instructions.
7. To switch between macOS and Windows, restart your Mac and hold the Option key to select the operating system you want to use.
8. Once Windows is installed, set up Forza Horizon 5 like on any PC.