Yes, Minecraft runs on M1 Macs via Rosetta 2.
In Minecraft, you get to explore unique worlds and create anything you could possibly imagine. But when night comes, you’ll have to fend off monsters and survive.BlueStacks is also working on to optimise its platform for Apple’s in-house ARM Silicon M1 chip-based Macs and this “should be rolled out soon in future,” Sharma said. Bluestacks has made waves a little time when announced the BlueStacks 5 beta, an update that eventually provides support for M1 machines. People behind Bluestacks were enthusiastic about facing Apple's M1 chip because they had observed that the architecture of the arm did a better job of execution of Android app compared to the X86 architecture.
A genre-defining cult-classic, Minecraft is still one of the most played games right now, even after all these years.
Minecraft on Mac
Minecraft exists in two versions: Java and Bedrock. Each version has its pros and cons, but unfortunately only the Java version of the game is available for macOS.
Amazon today introduced new low prices on the M1 MacBook Air for both 256GB and 512GB storage options. To start, you can get the 256GB model for $849.99, down from an original price of $999.00. Feb 16, 2021 BlueStacks 5 comes with a superior Eco mode and it can reduce up to 87% of CPU usage and up to 97% of GPU usage while playing games or multitasking. Another feature is FPS lock which helps you to lock the game at a certain FPS to make the gameplay smoother and use fewer resources. The beta update brings support for Apple M1 chip.
This means Minecraft on Mac does not support cross-platform multiplayer, but on the flip aside, the Java version has better mod support. You can read more about Java vs. Bedrock here.
| Genre: | Adventure | 64-Bit Support: | M1 Support: | Rosetta 2 | |
| Developer: | Mojang | API: | OpenGL | M1 Performance: | Good |
Is Minecraft worth it? The reviews
Released almost 10 years ago, Minecraft remains one of the most popular games available. It’s often among the Top 10 most streamed games on Twitch and gamers and reviewers alike love it:
Minecraft Mac requirements
These are the game’s official Mac requirements:
| Minimum Requirements | |
| OS: | 10.9 |
| Processor: | 3.2 GHz Intel Core i3 |
| Memory: | 4 GB RAM |
| Graphics: | AMD Radeon HD 7000 series or better |
| Hard Drive: | 1 GB |
| 64-Bit support is required | |
Minecraft M1 Mac support
Yes, Minecraft runs on M1 Macs with Apple Silicon via Rosetta 2.
Last Updated: Jan 22, 2021:
What is Rosetta 2? Rosetta 2 is a translation process that enables an M1 Mac with Apple silicon to use apps built for Intel-based Macs.
The game was tested on the following M1 Mac:
- 13-inch MacBook Air (2020): Apple M1 chip with 8-core CPU, 8 GB RAM
As you can see below, the game is still exclusively written for Intel-based Macs, but thanks to Rosetta 2, Minecraft can nonetheless run great on M1 Macs:
Tested versions:
- MacBook Air: MacOS Big Sur version 11.1
- Minecraft: Java Edition Version 1.16.5
More M1 gaming? Visit our M1 Supported Games list for 100+ Mac games we have tested and confirmed as M1-compatible.
Minecraft M1 Mac benchmarks
These are the Minecraft M1 benchmarks we have gathered so far:
| Benchmarks | Medium Settings & 900p | Max Settings & 900p | Max Settings & 1440p |
| MacBook Air (M1, 2020) | 60 FPS | 60 FPS | 60 FPS |
‼️ The game can only run at a maximum of 60 frames per second on our test machine. That is why the FPS averages above are all the same.
As a reminder, this is how we describe the different levels of performance:
- Below 20 FPS: Unplayable: Laggy gameplay, full of stutters and slowdowns.
- 20-30 FPS: Borderline: Can be OK in slow-paced games. Still, not optimal.
- 30-45 FPS: Playable: Acceptable for most (most gaming consoles do this).
- 45-60 FPS: Smooth: Fluid gameplay, with no perceivable stutters.
- 60+ FPS: Very Smooth: For hardcore and professional players, a luxury for most.
We usually aim for 30 FPS, because 30 FPS is enough to guarantee a smooth and fluid experience for most casual gamers.
M1 Performance VS Intel Macs
This is how Minecraft runs on M1 Macs compared to equivalent Intel Macs:
Bluestacks 5
| Benchmarks | 2020 M1 MacBook Air | 2016 13-inch MacBook Pro | Difference |
| Medium Settings & 900p | 60 | 60 | +0% |
Submit & Request M1 results
To take our M1 benchmarks and compatibility tests to the next level, we definitely need your support!
If you’re interested in testing games on your own M1 Mac, you can use this form:
You can also join our Discord to request a game or talk with other M1 Mac users.
Bluestacks For M1 Chipotle
Minecraft Mac download
You can download Minecraft from the following digital stores:
Bluestacks For Macbook Air
And more importantly, if you have your own M1 test results to share, on this game or another, please share them with us using this form.