Valve has recently launched a Steam Client Beta that operates natively on Apple Silicon, marking a significant shift away from its dependence on the Rosetta 2 translation layer. This updated Steam client is poised to enhance the gaming experience for Mac users by eliminating the performance issues that have affected gamers since Apple transitioned to its own chip architecture.
The new Steam client eliminates the performance overhead that has been a concern for Mac gamers, particularly those using Intel-based emulation. Previously, the Steam interface, which is built on Chromium, could experience slowdowns, making it frustrating for users. The latest update allows Steam to run directly on Apple Silicon, resulting in significantly improved performance and responsiveness.
Early testers of the Steam Client Beta have reported notably faster launch times and smoother navigation through the Steam Store and Library. Basic actions, such as switching tabs, now feel fluid and responsive rather than laggy. This improvement in user experience is a crucial development for gamers who rely on their Macs for high-performance gaming.
This week, Apple announced at WWDC that the upcoming macOS Tahoe will be the last version to support Intel-based Macs, with plans for deprecating Rosetta 2. Starting with macOS 28, only a limited version of Rosetta 2 will be available for older games that depend on Intel-based frameworks. This shift underscores the importance of the new Steam client for users transitioning to Apple Silicon.
Mac users eager to try the Steam Client Beta can easily access it through Steam's settings. To participate, navigate to the Interface section, select Steam Beta Update from the Client Beta Participation dropdown menu, and restart the application to download the approximately 230MB update. To confirm that you are running the native version, you can check the Activity Monitor; Steam should appear with Kind: Apple instead of Kind: Intel.
The release of the Steam Client Beta for Apple Silicon is an exciting development for Mac gamers, as it promises to provide a smoother and more efficient gaming experience. With Apple moving away from Intel support, the timing of this update is critical for ensuring that gamers can continue to enjoy their favorite titles without performance hindrances.
