How to play PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS on Mac

Game Overview

PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS, also known simply as PUBG, is a battle royale game that has taken the gaming world by storm since its release. Players are dropped onto a sprawling island where they must scavenge for weapons, armor, and supplies while outsmarting and outlasting their opponents in a fight to be the last person or team standing. The game’s massive, open-world map and the unpredictability of each match create a thrilling, adrenaline-fueled experience that keeps players coming back for more. PUBG’s realistic graphics, immersive sound design, and strategic gameplay elements set it apart from other titles in the genre, contributing to its widespread popularity. The game’s blend of tactical decision-making, fast-paced gunfights, and survival mechanics appeals to both casual gamers and hardcore enthusiasts alike. Regular updates and seasonal events ensure that the game remains fresh and engaging, while its competitive esports scene attracts a global audience. Although PUBG is primarily designed for PC and consoles, Mac users can still enjoy the game by using methods like Boot Camp to run Windows on their Mac systems. This workaround allows Mac gamers to experience the intense action and strategic depth that PUBG has to offer.

1. Play PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS on cloud gaming services (Boosteroid and AirGPU)

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.

Boosteroid

Boosteroid is a cloud gaming platform that allows users to play video games directly from the cloud on various devices, including PCs, smartphones, and smart TVs. This service provides access to a wide range of games without the need for powerful hardware. With Boosteroid, gamers can stream their favorite games over the internet, bypassing the need for downloading or updating games locally. The platform operates on a subscription model, offering different tiers to accommodate various user needs and preferences. Boosteroid is known for its ease of use, enabling seamless gaming experiences across different operating systems and devices, promoting greater accessibility and convenience for gamers worldwide.

1. Visit Boosteroid, sign up, and subscribe.
2. Search for the PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS game and play directly in your web browser.

Note: Boosteroid streams games seamlessly, making it accessible on most internet-connected devices.

AirGPU

AirGPU is a cloud gaming service that offers users the ability to rent high-performance virtual gaming PCs on demand. This platform enables gamers to stream the latest and most demanding games directly to their devices without the need for high-end local hardware. AirGPU provides a flexible rental model, allowing users to pay by the hour for access to powerful gaming rigs equipped with top-tier graphics and processing capabilities. The service supports a variety of devices including desktops, laptops, and some tablets, ensuring that users can enjoy a premium gaming experience from virtually anywhere. AirGPU stands out by offering personalized settings and configurations, giving gamers the freedom to customize their virtual machines to meet specific gaming needs.

1. Sign up at AirGPU and rent a high-performance virtual PC.
2. Connect to your cloud PC, install PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS from any digital platform.
3. Enjoy the game with high-quality graphics.

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

Note: Boot Camp is not supported on Macs with M1/M2/M3 chips.

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 PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS like on any PC.

Why users cannot run PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS on Mac via Crossover or Parallels?

PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS uses a robust anti-cheat system called Zakynthos, which poses significant challenges for running the game on macOS through virtualization tools like Crossover or Parallels. This anti-cheat system is designed to detect and block users attempting to access the game through virtual machines, as it considers these environments to be potential security risks. Additionally, the anti-cheat software requires direct access to the system’s hardware and kernel-level operations, which virtualization tools cannot fully provide. Consequently, even though Parallels and Crossover can emulate or translate Windows environments, the anti-cheat system flags these setups as unsupported, preventing the game from launching. This limitation underscores the broader issue of compatibility between advanced anti-cheat mechanisms and virtualized systems, making it difficult for Mac users to play PUBG without native support or resorting to cloud gaming services