CrossOver 26 for Mac by CodeWeavers is a compatibility layer that allows users to run many Microsoft Windows applications and games directly on macOS without installing Windows or using a traditional virtual machine. It is based on the open-source Wine project and integrates Windows applications into the Mac desktop environment so that supported programs can be launched much like native Mac applications. CrossOver is available for both Intel-based Macs and Apple Silicon Macs and is particularly useful for users who need Windows-only productivity software, utilities, development tools, or games on macOS.

CrossOver organizes Windows applications into isolated bottles, which contain the Windows compatibility environment and application-specific configuration. Users can install supported Windows software through CrossOver’s Installer Assistant, configure individual bottles, manage Windows dependencies, create shortcuts, and integrate applications with macOS. This approach avoids the overhead of running a complete Windows operating system and allows supported applications to coexist with normal Mac applications.

The major CrossOver 26 release, launched on February 10, 2026, upgraded the underlying compatibility technology to Wine 11.0, incorporating more than 6,000 upstream improvements. It also introduced D3DMetal 3.0, DXMT v0.72, Wine Mono 10.4.1, and vkd3d 1.18, improving Windows API compatibility and DirectX translation. These changes significantly expanded compatibility with modern Windows software and games on Mac.

CrossOver 26 is particularly significant for Apple Silicon gaming and graphics workloads. The updated graphics translation stack enables a number of demanding Windows games to run on supported Macs, including titles such as Helldivers 2, Starfield, God of War Ragnarök, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Borderlands 4, and Warhammer 40,000: Darktide. Compatibility remains application-specific, however, and CodeWeavers maintains a searchable compatibility database because not every Windows application works equally well.

The 26.x series has continued to receive maintenance releases. CrossOver 26.3.0, released July 21, 2026, fixed issues affecting Diablo IV, Epic Games Launcher downloads, and GOG Galaxy on Mac. Earlier 26.1 and 26.2 releases addressed additional game compatibility, Unity mouse input, Battle.net installation, and other application-specific issues.

Key Features

• Run supported Windows applications directly on macOS
• No Windows operating-system installation required
• No traditional virtual machine required
• Based on the open-source Wine compatibility layer
• Windows application bottles for isolated configurations
• Installer Assistant for supported Windows applications
• macOS application shortcuts and desktop integration
• Apple Silicon support
• Intel Mac support
• DirectX translation through D3DMetal
• DXMT graphics translation support
• vkd3d support for DirectX 12 applications
• Wine Mono for .NET-based Windows applications
• Windows DLL and runtime dependency management
• Per-application bottle configuration
• Windows application uninstall and repair tools
• macOS Finder integration
• Application launcher and bottle management
• Support for productivity applications, utilities, development software, and games
• Improved modern-game compatibility
• Game controller and input support for compatible titles
• Retina/high-resolution display support
• macOS Tahoe interface improvements
• Built-in update and troubleshooting facilities
• Compatibility database for checking individual Windows applications
• No requirement for a separate Windows license for the CrossOver compatibility layer itself

What’s New in Version 26

CrossOver 26.0.0 — February 10, 2026

• Upgraded to Wine 11.0
• More than 6,000 Wine improvements incorporated
• Updated D3DMetal to 3.0
• Updated DXMT to v0.72
• Updated Wine Mono to 10.4.1
• Updated vkd3d to 1.18
• Improved Windows application compatibility
• Improved DirectX gaming performance and compatibility
• Added/improved support for numerous modern Windows games
• macOS Tahoe user-interface updates
• Fix for Steam reopening after being closed
• Expanded compatibility with demanding DirectX 11/12 applications

(CodeWeavers)

26.1.0 — April 9, 2026

• Workaround for Death Stranding 2 on macOS
• Fixed mouse-input problems affecting numerous Unity games
• Fixed distorted account windows in Quicken
• Fixed Battle.net installation issues affecting some users

26.2.0 — June 9, 2026

• Fixed Helldivers 2 launch problems following a game update
• Added additional warnings concerning 32-bit bottles

26.3.0 — July 21, 2026

• Fixed Diablo IV launch problems after a game update
• Fixed Epic Games Launcher downloads on Mac after an update
• Fixed GOG Galaxy loading problems on Mac

Professional Applications

CrossOver 26 for Mac is suitable for:

• Running Windows-only business applications
• Microsoft Office and productivity workflows
• Accounting and financial software
• Windows utilities and specialist applications
• Legacy Windows software
• Development and testing environments
• Educational applications
• Engineering and technical applications where compatibility permits
• Windows game libraries
• DirectX gaming on Apple Silicon Macs
• Application compatibility testing
• Organizations transitioning from Windows to macOS

System Requirements

Minimum Requirements

• Operating System: macOS 11.1 or later on Apple Silicon; CrossOver 26 has specific current compatibility with macOS 26 Tahoe and newer supported macOS versions.
• Processor: Intel Mac or Apple Silicon M1 or newer
• RAM: 4 GB recommended for general use
• Storage: 1 GB free disk space, plus additional space required by installed Windows applications
• Graphics: Metal-capable Mac GPU recommended for modern Windows applications and games
• Display: macOS-compatible display
• Internet: Required for downloading CrossOver, activation, updates, and installing many Windows applications
• Mac Compatibility: CrossOver does not run on iPhone or iPad.