Is The Forest available on Mac?
Yes, with a compatibility layer. The Forest can be played on Mac using CrossOver, a Wine-based compatibility layer.
The Forest Mac specs at a glance
| Mac compatibility | Yes, with a compatibility layer |
|---|---|
| How it runs | CrossOver |
| CrossOver rating | ProtonDB Gold |
| Metacritic score | 83 / 100 |
| Time to beat | ~17 hours (average playthrough) |
| Genre | Simulation |
| Last verified | Jul 17, 2026 |
Compatibility verified against Steam and ProtonDB.
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Reports are re-verified against Steam and ProtonDB in the weekly sweep. If this page is wrong, it gets fixed.
What does this mean?
CrossOver means there's no Mac build, but the Windows version runs through CrossOver (a paid, supported Wine layer), rated Gold on ProtonDB, which tracks how well Windows games run on the same Wine technology. Compatibility is verified against Steam and community sources. Learn how Mac game compatibility works →
Will The Forest run on your Mac?
Yes, via CrossOver
No native build, but the Windows version runs through CrossOver.
See everything your Mac can run →How to play The Forest on Mac
The Forest has no Mac build, but the Windows version runs on Mac through CrossOver, a compatibility layer built on Wine (the same technology behind Steam's Proton). ProtonDB rates it Gold, so it runs well after minor, often automatic tweaks.
- Install CrossOver (or Whisky). Get CrossOver from CodeWeavers. It's paid but has a free trial. Prefer free? Whisky is an open-source alternative built on the same technology.
- Install the game in a "bottle". Open CrossOver, search for The Forest, and let it create a bottle (a self-contained Windows environment), then install the game from Steam, GOG, or Epic inside it.
- Apply any tweaks. CrossOver usually applies the right settings for you. If something's off, ProtonDB's community reports for The Forest list the exact fixes other players used.
- Play. It runs right on top of macOS, with no full Windows install and no rebooting. One caveat: online modes with strict anti-cheat can be hit-or-miss, so CrossOver is most reliable for single-player.
Common questions about The Forest on Mac
Is The Forest available on Mac?
Yes. The Forest can be played on Mac using CrossOver, a Wine-based compatibility layer.
How do I play The Forest on Mac?
The Forest has no Mac build, but the Windows version runs on Mac through CrossOver, a compatibility layer built on Wine (the same technology behind Steam's Proton). ProtonDB rates it Gold, so it runs well after minor, often automatic tweaks.
How long does The Forest take to beat?
The Forest takes about 17 hours to beat (average playthrough).
What is The Forest's Metacritic score?
The Forest has a Metacritic score of 83.
