Is Borderlands 2 available on Mac?
Yes, playable on Mac. Borderlands 2 has an official macOS build that runs on Apple Silicon Macs through Rosetta 2, and can be played on Mac by running Windows in Parallels Desktop.
Borderlands 2 Mac specs at a glance
| Mac compatibility | Yes, playable on Mac |
|---|---|
| How it runs | Rosetta 2, Parallels |
| Metacritic score | 89 / 100 |
| Time to beat | ~30 hours (main story) |
| Genre | Action |
| Publisher | Aspyr |
| Last verified | Oct 6, 2026 |
Compatibility verified against Steam and ProtonDB.
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What does this mean?
Rosetta 2 means the Mac version is an Intel build that Apple Silicon Macs run automatically through Rosetta 2 translation. Parallels means it's played by running Windows inside a virtual machine on your Mac. GeForce NOW is cloud streaming: the game runs on NVIDIA's servers, not on your Mac, so it is shown as a separate way to play, not as Mac compatibility. Compatibility is verified against Steam and community sources. Learn how Mac game compatibility works →
Will Borderlands 2 run on your Mac?
Yes, via Rosetta 2
Official Intel build; Apple Silicon Macs run it automatically through Rosetta 2.
See everything your Mac can run →Thanks — counted. If something did not run, use "Report an issue" instead.
Minimum Mac requirements for Borderlands 2
| OS | 10.12 (Sierra) |
|---|---|
| Processor | 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (Dual-Core) |
| Memory | 4 GB RAM |
| Hard Disk Space | 13 GB Video |
| Memory | 256 MB |
| Video Card | ATI Radeon HD 2600 / NVidia Geforce 8800/ Intel HD 3000 Additional: Macintosh mouse and keyboard. Borderlands 2 supports both the Xbox 360 wired gamepad AND the PlayStation 3 Dualshock 3 Wireless Controller NOTICE: It is possible for Mac and PC to become out o |
Source: the minimum macOS specs listed on Steam. If your Mac meets or beats these, Borderlands 2 should run.
How to play Borderlands 2 on Mac
Borderlands 2 has an official Mac version, but it's an Intel build. On Apple Silicon Macs (M1 or newer) macOS runs it automatically through Rosetta 2, a built-in translation layer, so it's nearly as simple as a native game.
- Get the game. Buy and download Borderlands 2 on Steam.
- Install Rosetta 2 (one time). The first time you open an Intel app, macOS offers to install Rosetta 2. Click Install. You can also run "softwareupdate --install-rosetta" in Terminal beforehand.
- Launch and play. Rosetta translates the game invisibly in the background. For a game like this, performance is typically excellent, and you won't notice it's happening.
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Or play Borderlands 2 in the cloud with GeForce NOW
Borderlands 2 is on NVIDIA's GeForce NOW, a cloud gaming service with a Mac app (macOS 10.15 or later) and a browser version. The game runs on NVIDIA's servers and streams to your screen, so there is nothing to install or tune, and it plays the same on an Intel Mac as on Apple Silicon.
- Own the game on Steam. GeForce NOW streams your copy; it does not sell or include it.
- A membership. Either the free tier, which shows ads while you queue and has shorter sessions, or a paid Performance or Ultimate membership (up to 1440p or 5K, with 100 hours of play a month).
- A good connection. at least 15 Mbps for 720p or 25 Mbps for 1080p, ideally over Ethernet or 5GHz Wi-Fi.
From NVIDIA's published game list, synced weekly, last Oct 12, 2026. Cloud gaming on a Mac, compared.
Common questions about Borderlands 2 on Mac
Is Borderlands 2 available on Mac?
Yes. Borderlands 2 has an official macOS build that runs on Apple Silicon Macs through Rosetta 2, and can be played on Mac by running Windows in Parallels Desktop.
How do I play Borderlands 2 on Mac?
Borderlands 2 has an official Mac version, but it's an Intel build. On Apple Silicon Macs (M1 or newer) macOS runs it automatically through Rosetta 2, a built-in translation layer, so it's nearly as simple as a native game.
Can I play Borderlands 2 on Mac with GeForce NOW?
Yes. Borderlands 2 is on NVIDIA's GeForce NOW, which streams games to your Mac through a Mac app (macOS 10.15 or later) and a browser version. It runs on NVIDIA's servers, so it works on any Mac, Apple Silicon or Intel. You need to own it on Steam, and either the free tier, which shows ads while you queue and has shorter sessions, or a paid Performance or Ultimate membership (up to 1440p or 5K, with 100 hours of play a month), plus at least 15 Mbps for 720p or 25 Mbps for 1080p, ideally over Ethernet or 5GHz Wi-Fi.
How long does Borderlands 2 take to beat?
Borderlands 2 takes about 30 hours to beat (main story).
What is Borderlands 2's Metacritic score?
Borderlands 2 has a Metacritic score of 89.
What are the minimum Mac requirements for Borderlands 2?
Borderlands 2 lists a minimum of macOS 10.12 (Sierra), 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (Dual-Core), 256 MB on Steam. If your Mac meets or beats those, it should run.
