Hytale is launching on Windows only when early access begins on January 13, 2026. Mac support is planned, but there's no confirmed release date.
No Mac Version at Launch
Hypixel Studios has been clear that the early access launch is Windows-only. In their FAQ about console support, they mentioned:
"The early access of Hytale will only be on PC (MAC and Linux still TBD)."
The "still TBD" language suggests Mac is on the roadmap but hasn't been prioritized for the initial release. The team is focused on getting the Windows version right first.
When Will Hytale Come to Mac?
There's no official timeline. Given that Mac and Linux are mentioned together as "TBD," they'll likely arrive around the same time—probably after the early access period stabilizes on Windows.
For comparison, many games that launch Windows-first add Mac support within 6-12 months, though some take longer depending on the technical challenges involved.
Why the Delay?
Developing for Mac presents some unique challenges:
Apple Silicon transition. Modern Macs use Apple's M-series chips (M1, M2, M3, M4), which have different architecture than Intel processors. Games need to be optimized specifically for these chips to run well, or they'll rely on Rosetta 2 translation which impacts performance.
Metal vs other graphics APIs. Macs use Apple's Metal graphics API rather than DirectX or Vulkan. This requires additional development work to ensure the game renders correctly and performs well.
Smaller market share. While Macs are popular, they represent a much smaller percentage of the gaming market compared to Windows. It makes sense to prioritize the platform where most players are.
Testing and optimization. Each platform needs thorough testing. Spreading development resources across multiple platforms during early access could slow down overall progress.
Options for Mac Users
If you want to play Hytale at launch and only have a Mac, here are your options:
Boot Camp (Intel Macs only). If you have an older Intel-based Mac, you can install Windows via Boot Camp and run Hytale natively. This won't work on Apple Silicon Macs.
Virtual machines. Tools like Parallels Desktop can run Windows on Apple Silicon Macs, but gaming performance varies significantly. Hytale's system requirements are moderate, so it might be playable depending on your Mac's specs.
Wait for the native version. The safest option is to wait for Hypixel to release an official Mac version, which will be optimized for the platform.
Use a different PC. If you have access to a Windows PC that meets the requirements, that's currently the only guaranteed way to play at launch.
Mac System Requirements
Official Mac requirements haven't been announced yet. Based on the Windows requirements, you'd likely need:
- A recent Mac with M1 chip or better (or Intel equivalent)
- 8-16GB RAM
- Fast SSD storage (standard on modern Macs)
- macOS Monterey or later (estimated)
These are guesses based on the Windows specs. Official requirements will come when the Mac version is announced.
Will There Be Cross-Play?
This hasn't been confirmed, but it would make sense. If Mac players can join the same servers as Windows players, the community stays unified. Most modern games with multiple PC platform support allow cross-play between them.
Stay Updated
For official announcements about Mac support, follow Hytale's news page or their social media channels. When a Mac version is confirmed, we'll update our coverage.
In the meantime, check out the Hytale system requirements for Windows specs, or read about other platform status: console and mobile.