Mac goes to black screen after log-in

[Kirianna]

I've been playing on a PC with no issues. I purchased a mac mini because my PC is dated, then purchased the mac version of FF. It downloads and installs OK, but when I log in, the window goes black and it never recovers.

I submitted a ticket, followed all of their directions which did not fix it. They said if their solutions did not work, then my router or ISP is blocking the game. This cannot be the issue as I can play on my PC and there are 2 other PCs and 1 other mac that run off the same router and network as I do. I replied with that information but have not heard anything else since.

Here is what I have tried and my system specs:

From Tech Support:

Please make sure all background applications (including anti-virus programs such as Norton, Kaspersky, etc.) have been disabled and/or closed to minimize game interference.

Ensure that the latest version of Safari is installed on your Mac (even if you don't use Safari). Once Safari is up-to-date, please open the Safari browser and make sure that all Browser History and Cookies/Web Data have been deleted. Please also make sure that "Cookies" are accepted and not being filtered.

Once these options have been adjusted, please run the Apple Update program to check that all firmware is up-to-date on your Mac OS. Once this process is complete, please re-launch the FINAL FANTASY XIV application.

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I have also uninstalled and reinstalled the game

System Specs:
macOS Big Sur Version 11.4
Mac Mini (2018)
3.6 Ghz Quad-Core Intel Core i3
8 GB 2667 Mhz DDR4
Intel UHD Graphics 630 1636 MB

73 GB available storage

8 GB Memory

Any help would be appreciated. My PC is laggy and I'd really like to use the new system.

[Arrhin]

Unfortunately I don't think Intel integrated graphics are supported. Minimum spec for Mac lists Radeon R9 M295X. As I've never tried to run it on my Mac I cannot say if there is a workaround.

[Rhaervis]

Good morning and thank you for posting on the Final Fantasy XIV Technical Support Forums.

We would recommend reviewing the minimum specifications for Mac located here: https://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/system_requirements/#mac and making sure the desired Mac meets them. Unfortunately, any Mac configurations that are outside of these requirements may experience issues when attempting to run FINAL FANTASY XIV.

Thank you for visiting the Final Fantasy XIV Technical Support Forums.

[Retzl]

Hi Rhaervis. The requirements say "Radeon R9 M295X or higher"

Could you please be more specific? What is higher? How do I know if my mac's Intel Iris card is "higher" or "lower"?

Thank you

[worldofneil]

How do I know if my mac's Intel Iris card is "higher" or "lower"?

Well a benchmark test is in no way a guarantee of the same result when actually playing the game in the real world, but the Intel Iris' (any of them) rank considerably lower than the M295X:

(higher score is better)

Radeon R9 M295X = 5150

Intel Iris Xe = 2881
Intel Iris Pro P580 = 2169
Intel Iris Pro 580 = 2036
Intel Iris Plus = 1862
Intel Iris 650 = 1795
Intel Iris Plus 655 = 1788

And including the original thread creator (who's card is on the mid range page):

Intel UHD 630 = 1390

So they might run, but they're basically all below the minimum recommended specification.