### Steam for Mac: A Genuine Apple Silicon Experience
After a long-awaited duration, Steam for Mac is finally evolving into a genuine Apple Silicon application. Valve has launched this updated version as part of a beta release, permitting users to experience the new enhancements right away.
#### Shift from Rosetta 2
In the past, Steam depended on Rosetta 2 for operation on Apple Silicon Macs. This reliance frequently led to decreased performance and a subpar user experience, especially within the Chromium-based interface that drives much of the Steam client. With Rosetta 2’s end on the horizon, the transition to a native application is well-timed.
### Speedier, Smoother, and Truly Native
The newly released beta version of Steam is now a completely optimized Universal app. Users can anticipate markedly quicker launch times, enhanced responsiveness in scrolling and navigation, and more fluid access to Store and Community sections.
The main enhancement stems from shifting the Chromium Embedded Framework from Intel-only to Apple Silicon, removing one of the significant performance hindrances in the app. Users are likely to perceive a noticeable improvement in fluidity when executing basic tasks, such as accessing their Library or switching between tabs.
### Steps to Activate the Beta
To experience the native version of Steam, follow these instructions:
1. Launch the Steam app on your Mac.
2. In the menu bar, navigate to Steam > Settings > Interface.
3. Locate the Beta Participation section and choose Steam Beta Update from the dropdown menu.
4. Restart Steam to download the updated version (around 230MB).
5. Verify that you are utilizing the native version by checking Activity Monitor—Steam should appear as “Kind: Apple”.
### Perfect Timing
This update comes at a pivotal juncture, as Apple has recently announced that Rosetta 2 will be phased out in a forthcoming macOS release. Without updates, Intel-only applications like Steam would ultimately stop functioning. While Apple has indicated that Rosetta 2 will remain accessible to support older or unsupported games, the outlook for app launchers like Steam appears uncertain, especially with Apple’s emphasis on its Game Porting Toolkit 2.
Apple’s official announcement emphasizes the transition:
> “macOS Tahoe will be the final release for Intel-based Mac computers. Those devices will continue to receive security updates for three years. Rosetta was created to facilitate the transition to Apple silicon, and we plan to make it available for the next two major macOS releases – through macOS 27 – as a general-purpose utility for Intel apps to assist developers in completing their app migration. Beyond this period, we will maintain a portion of Rosetta functionality aimed at supporting older unmaintained gaming titles that rely on Intel-based frameworks.”
### Final Thoughts
The transition of Steam to a native Apple Silicon application signifies a considerable enhancement for Mac users, improving both performance and user experience. As the beta becomes accessible, users are invited to explore the new features and share feedback regarding their experiences.
