A Step-by-Step Guide to Playing Valorant on Mac

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Learn how to set up Boot Camp to play Valorant on your Mac
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Do you want to play Valorant on your Mac laptop or computer? Unfortunately, many of the methods you use to play Windows games on a Mac don't work for Valorant, like using Parallels, Crossover, or a streaming platform. However, using an older Mac that has an Intel processor, you can create a Windows installation within Boot Camp to play the Windows-supported game! Newer Macs have different processor chips and will not work. Without installing Windows, you can't play Valorant. This wikiHow article teaches you step-by-step how to play Valorant on your Mac.

Things You Should Know

  • If your Mac has an Intel processor, you can install Windows with Boot Camp.
  • In the Windows partition, install Valorant.
  • Optimize your Valorant gameplay on Mac by changing all the graphics settings to low.
Section 1 of 4:

Requirements

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    Here's a list of all the Macs with Intel processors:
    • MacBook 2015 - 2019
    • MacBook Air/Pro 2012 - 2019
    • Mac mini 2012 - 2019
    • iMac 2012 - 2020
    • Mac Pro 2013 - 2022
    • Not sure which chip your Mac has? Click the Apple Menu and select About This Mac . Look next to "Chip" to see if yours is Apple (not compatible with BootCamp) or Intel (compatible with BootCamp). [1]
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    Windows 11 is the latest version available, but Valorant crashes a lot running Windows 11, so that's why you should use Windows 10. To purchase a Windows Product Key, all you need to do is log into the Microsoft Store and follow the links to buy Windows 10.
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Section 2 of 4:

Installing Windows on Mac

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    By default, this is set to Full Security, but if you changed it, you should set it back to Full Security before installing Windows.
    • You can change it back after you've installed Windows. Installing without Full Security can cause errors that prevent Windows from downloading.
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    There's a download link available after you purchase a key. Download Windows 10 from this link .
    • Depending on your Mac, you may need to download Windows 10 to a flash drive .
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    It's in the Utilities folder in Finder.
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    If you can't find it in the drop-down menu, try downloading the ISO on your desktop.
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    Drag the dot to make the Windows partition larger or smaller.
    • Windows 10 has a storage requirement, so ensure that the partition is at least 64GB. For better performance, make the partition have at least 128GB. [2]
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    If prompted, enter your Mac's password and wait for the partition to completely install. Your Mac will restart and begin installing Windows.
    • If you're prompted for an install location for Windows, select the Boot Camp partition and select Format . Normally, this is an automatic process, but it appears on older Macs.
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    Once your Mac is finished, you'll be in the Windows partition and need to follow a few on-screen instructions to finalize the creation of the partition. This includes downloading drivers and support software.
    • You need to restart your Mac again once you're done installing other software.
    • Note that if you have an external monitor connected to your Mac via a Thunderbolt 3 port, the display will be blank (black, grey, or blue) for a few minutes during installation.
    • To switch between Mac and Windows, restart the computer/laptop and press the Opt or Alt key. [3]
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Section 3 of 4:

Installing Valorant

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    Go to https://playvalorant.com/en-us/ and click Play Free . You need to be in the Windows partition of your Mac in order to install and play Valorant.
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    Click either option to continue with your browser.
    • Creating an account is free and is a simple process!
    • After you create an account or log in, you may need to click Play Free again to prompt the download.
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    File Explorer will open so you can save the file where you'd like, then run it to start installing Valorant.
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    When it's done installing, you can immediately open it and start playing.
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Section 4 of 4:

Optimizing Valorant for Mac

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    You'll find this option in Settings > Video . Go into Settings so you can optimize Valorant for your Mac.
    • Since the game wasn't created with Macs in mind, it won't run as amazingly on your Mac as it does for someone using a Windows laptop or computer. However, you can tweak your settings to get the game to look somewhat decent on your display.
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    This will make sure the FPS doesn't go over 60 and makes your frames more stable while reducing screen tearing. You'll find this setting in the game's video settings.
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    For example, if you have a 2560 x 1600 display, set it to 1440 x 900. You'll find this setting in the game's video settings.
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    Notification and dashboard can get in the way of your gameplay, so turn them off before you play.
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    Since your Mac wasn't taken into consideration when Riot came out with Valorant, the graphics won't display the same for you. Find all these settings in Settings > Video > Graphics Quality .
    • You can try using settings at "High" and only lower that setting if you run into a graphics issue, like stuttering or invisible objects.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211814
      2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201468
      3. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208123
      4. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/open-items-automatically-when-you-log-in-mh15189/mac

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