Steam on macOS Big Sur: End of Support and What You Need to Know
If you’re still using macOS 11 Big Sur on your Mac, it’s crucial to be aware of an upcoming change. valve has announced that the Steam Client will officially stop functioning on Big Sur in just a few weeks. This impacts your ability to access your games and the Steam platform. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what’s happening and what you need to do.
Support Ends October 15th
Mark your calendars. As of October 15th, the Steam Client will no longer be supported on macOS 11 Big Sur. This facts comes directly from a Steam support FAQ, initially flagged by a Reddit user wickedplayer494.
Why is steam Dropping Support for Big Sur?
The core issue stems from compatibility with Google Chrome. Steam relies on an embedded version of Chrome for key features, and this version is no longer functional on older macOS versions like Big Sur.
Valve explains:
“This change is required as core features in Steam rely on an embedded version of Google Chrome,which no longer functions on older versions of macOS. In addition,future versions of Steam will require macOS feature and security updates only present in macOS 12 and above.”
Essentially, to continue delivering a secure and fully-functional Steam experience, a newer macOS is required.
What Does This Mean for You?
If your Mac is currently running macOS 11 Big Sur – perhaps due to work requirements or hardware limitations - you’ll lose access to Steam and any games you’ve purchased through the platform unless you upgrade your operating system.
Security Risks of Staying on Big Sur
Beyond losing Steam access, continuing to use macOS 11 Big Sur poses important security risks.Apple stopped providing security updates for big Sur in 2023. This leaves your computer vulnerable to:
Malware: Unpatched vulnerabilities can be exploited by malicious software.
Exploits: New security flaws will not be addressed, increasing your risk.
Poor Performance: Malware can cause slowdowns and crashes.
Account Theft: Your Steam account and other online services could be compromised.
Valve strongly urges all Big Sur users to update their operating system as soon as possible. As they state:
“We strongly encourage all macOS 11 users to update sooner rather than later. Apple ended security updates and technical support for macOS 11 in 2023. Computers running these operating systems, when connected to the internet, are susceptible to new malware and other exploits which will not be patched. That malware can cause your computer, Steam and games to perform poorly or crash. That malware can also be used to steal the credentials for your Steam account or other services.”
The Future of Steam on Mac: Native Apple Silicon Support
This declaration coincides with Valve’s ongoing efforts to transition Steam for Mac to a native Apple Silicon app. This move follows the phasing out of Rosetta 2.
You can learn more about the native Apple Silicon beta and how to try it in our previous coverage: steam Finally Goes Native on Apple Silicon. This transition promises improved performance and efficiency for Mac gamers.**
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