How to Download Valorant on Mac

Playing Valorant on a Mac can seem daunting, but it’s entirely possible with the right steps. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you download and play Valorant on your Mac.

Can You Play Valorant on Mac?

Valorant is not natively supported on Mac OS, but you can still play it by installing Windows using Apple’s Boot Camp Assistant. This method is only compatible with Macs that have Intel processors, not those with Apple silicon (M1 or M2 chips).

Requirements for Playing Valorant on Mac

  • Ensure your Mac has an Intel processor: Models from 2015 to 2019 for MacBook, 2012 to 2019 for MacBook Air and Pro, and 2013 to 2022 for Mac Pro are compatible.
  • Latest macOS updates: Make sure your macOS is up to date.
  • 64GB or more free storage space: You need at least 64GB of free space on your Mac startup disk.
  • Windows 10 or 11 installation media: Download a 64-bit version of Windows 10 or 11 from the official Microsoft website.

Installing Windows on Your Mac

Check Your Secure Boot Setting

  • Set Secure Boot to Full Security: If you have changed it to No Security, revert it back to Full Security. You can do this by booting into recovery mode (hold Command-R during startup), selecting Startup Security from the Utilities menu, and choosing Full Security.

Use Boot Camp Assistant to Create a Windows Partition

  • Open Boot Camp Assistant: Go to Applications > Utilities and open Boot Camp Assistant.
  • Follow On-Screen Instructions: Plug in a USB flash drive if prompted. Allocate at least 64GB of space for the Windows partition. You cannot change this size later, so allocate enough space (preferably 128GB or more).
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Format the Windows Partition

  • Restart Your Mac: After Boot Camp Assistant finishes, your Mac will restart to the Windows installer.
  • Select the BOOTCAMP Partition: Choose the BOOTCAMP partition and click Format. The installer usually selects and formats this partition automatically.

Install Windows

  • Unplug Unnecessary Devices: Remove any external devices not needed during installation.
  • Follow Installation Instructions: Click Next and follow the on-screen instructions to begin installing Windows.

Install Boot Camp and Windows Support Software

  • Complete Windows Installation: Once Windows is installed, your Mac will start up in Windows and open a “Welcome to the Boot Camp installer” window.
  • Follow On-Screen Instructions: Install Boot Camp and Windows support software (drivers) and restart when prompted.

Switching Between Windows and macOS

  • Restart Your Mac: To switch between Windows and macOS, restart your Mac and hold the Option (or Alt) ⌥ key during startup. Select either the Windows or macOS partition to boot into.

Downloading and Installing Valorant

Download Valorant

  • Open a Web Browser in Windows: Go to the official Valorant website and click on the Play Now or Play Free button.
  • Download the Installer: Your browser will download the Installer package. Choose your preferred download location and ensure you have at least 8GB of free space (though 20GB or more is recommended for smooth updates).

Install Valorant

  • Sign Into Your Riot Games Account: If you don’t have a Riot Games account, create one on the Riot Games website. Log in to your account to start the installation process.
  • Follow Installation Instructions: Follow the on-screen instructions to install Valorant. Note that Riot Vanguard, the anti-cheat software, will also be installed.
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Optimizing Valorant for Mac

Adjust Graphics Settings

  • Reduce Graphics Quality: Lower the graphics settings in Valorant to ensure smoother gameplay. Set the screen resolution to half of your monitor’s resolution and reduce all graphics settings to the minimum level.
  • Enable VSync: Enable VSync to set your FPS to 60 and prevent fluctuations, making the gameplay smoother.

Maintain Your Mac

  • Regular Maintenance: Keep your Mac maintained by running regular maintenance tasks, updating apps, and removing unnecessary files. Tools like CleanMyMac can help with this.
  • Use High Performance Graphics Settings: In Windows, set the graphics settings for Valorant to High Performance to ensure it uses all available graphics power.

By following these steps, you can successfully download and play Valorant on your Mac, even though it’s not natively supported. Ensure your Mac meets the necessary requirements and follow the instructions carefully to enjoy a smooth gaming experience.