MiHoYo’s titles are often known for their availability. Still, Zenless Zone Zero falls one step short as the game isn’t officially available on Apple’s Macbook. But you can still play ZZZ on Mac via alternative methods.
Considering ZZZ is available on iPhone and iPad, many expected it to run natively on M-series Macs, but that hasn’t been the case so far. Though M chips can run iOS apps, there are still specific requirements that developers have to fulfill, and those boxes are yet to be checked for ZZZ. This means you’d need the help of third-party programs to run ZZZ on your Mac. Here’s how you can do that.
How to download and play Zenless Zone Zero on M-series Macs
There are a few programs you can use to play ZZZ on M-series Macs. PlayCover, Crossover, and BlueStacks are the three most popular alternatives. I prefer PlayCover because it makes apps think they’re running on an iPad, which helps a great deal in terms of performance.
While installing PlayCover, you’ll need to grant multiple permissions. Once the program is ready, you can search for ZZZ and install the game. Crossover, on the other hand, works as a Windows translator, and BlueStacks is an Android emulator. Overall, if you have an M-series Mac, I’d start with PlayCover and only move to other options if the performance isn’t there.
Gameplay tests show stable ZZZ performance for Apple M1 chips, averaging around 55 frames per second. Considering that’s the oldest generation of M processors, it serves as a decent baseline.
How to install and play Zenless Zone Zero on Intel Macs
To install and play ZZZ on an Intel Mac, you need to use the Boot Camp Assistant feature to install an official Windows 11 ISO. You’ll also need a 16GB or more USB stick.
Once you have Windows 11’s essential files ready to go:
- Ensure your Secure Boot is set to “Full Security.”
- Open “Boot Camp Assistant” from the “Utilities” folder in “Applications.”
- Follow the on-screen prompts.
- Choose the BOOTCAMP partition as the installation location and select Format.
- Complete the Windows setup process.
- Reboot your Mac when finished.
You’ll now have access to Windows 11 on your Mac, meaning you can download ZZZ from the Epic Store or the HoYo Player.
As an Intel Mac owner myself, I used this method to play Among Us on my Mac. It delivers the desired result, but you’ll essentially be storing a second operating system on your SSD. If you don’t have enough storage for two OSs and games, you may be better off playing ZZZ on your mobile device or one of the other platforms the game is on.
