Apple Silicon/M1 gameplay support

[eon31]

So the requirements for FFXIV for Mac OS is that any Mac player that has apple silicon or an m1 Mac, there will be no support for the game. My question is will they develop future support for it or that's it, play on the other platforms listed?

[Thukoolo]

Greetings eon31 and thank you for posting in the Final Fantasy XIV Technical Support forums.

We apologize any inconvenience you have experienced when playing Final Fantasy XIV on Mac. At this time, this problem is still ongoing as we are addressing the issue for supporting Mac models utilizing the Apple Silicon chipset (such as M1). Additionally for future updates regarding specific macOS support, you may review the Lodestone post regarding macOS Monterey here. We appreciate your patience and understanding regarding this matter.

Thank you for visiting the Final Fantasy XIV Technical Support forums!

[Seathasky]

Greetings eon31 and thank you for posting in the Final Fantasy XIV Technical Support forums.

We apologize any inconvenience you have experienced when playing Final Fantasy XIV on Mac. At this time, this problem is still ongoing as we are addressing the issue for supporting Mac models utilizing the Apple Silicon chipset (such as M1). Additionally for future updates regarding specific macOS support, you may review the Lodestone post regarding macOS Monterey here. We appreciate your patience and understanding regarding this matter.

Thank you for visiting the Final Fantasy XIV Technical Support forums!

It's May. 5 months later. The only way to play the game is through 3rd party means. Square gave up on Mac. Period.

[Fiel_Tana]

From that lodestone link "Verification will proceed and depending on the prospects, we will provide another update."

Guess they didn't like the prospects since we haven't had any update for 5 months!

The game launcher literally no longer opens unless running an out of date and insecure OS. Using annoying terminal workarounds work for some, but not all. The only reliable method of launching the game is with third party software.

Respectfully Thukoolo, we have been patient and understanding, but now feel Sqeenix doesn't care that the paying Mac players can't access the game... the game they're still selling and charging subs for. Clear communication telling us what the problem is could go a long way, and not just something written 5 months ago. We want current info.

[Seathasky]

Like I said, they don't care about you or their paying customers. That much is proven by Square Enix.

[Fiel_Tana]

Sadly it seems you're right. Between the lack of recent communication, other than this thread which tells us to update to the latest MacOS, which of course breaks the launcher completely... I can't see any other reason other than lack of caring about Mac players.

[Avenger]

Sadly it seems you're right. Between the lack of recent communication, other than this thread which tells us to update to the latest MacOS, which of course breaks the launcher completely... I can't see any other reason other than lack of caring about Mac players.

One reason could be that they have resources devoted proportionally ("fairly" in some sense) to the Mac player base vs. Windows and console, but that could mean that it takes longer. Also I think the Mac version is basically downstream since it runs the Windows client on a Cider/CrossOver compatibility layer.

I expect they'll fix it eventually. Remember the original Mac version had abysmal performance (they even stopped selling it and offered refunds, though I wonder how they tested it beforehand) and it also broke on macOS Catalina. However they ultimately improved the performance and fixed the compatibility issue.

[Aim_Bot]

My wife started playing FFXIV with me less than a year ago. She was playing on my MacBook while I was on my PC. Now we can't play together? Without buying a new computer, how can we play together?

[Fiel_Tana]

My wife started playing FFXIV with me less than a year ago. She was playing on my MacBook while I was on my PC. Now we can't play together? Without buying a new computer, how can we play together?

This thread has a few workarounds that will allow her to log in.

One reason could be that they have resources devoted proportionally ("fairly" in some sense) to the Mac player base vs. Windows and console, but that could mean that it takes longer. Also I think the Mac version is basically downstream since it runs the Windows client on a Cider/CrossOver compatibility layer.

I expect they'll fix it eventually. Remember the original Mac version had abysmal performance (they even stopped selling it and offered refunds, though I wonder how they tested it beforehand) and it also broke on macOS Catalina. However they ultimately improved the performance and fixed the compatibility issue.

I felt the same way at first and defended Sqeenix for the same reasons, but it's been 5 months since any official communication which says:
"If you use the Mac version of FINAL FANTASY XIV, we ask that you please refrain from updating to macOS Monterey until official support has begun."

That is the final info we have until this post which says:
"If you plan to continue playing FINAL FANTASY XIV in either of these older OSs, please consider updating to their latest versions before the release of Patch 6.15."

(^ Bold mine to emphasise the problem)

Even internally there is a severe lack of communication on this issue since we know that updating to the latest version of MacOS currently breaks the official launcher completely. As a paying customer, the very least we should expect is an official update about what the delay is, how they plan to go forward either by fixing the current issue along with an estimated timeframe, or saying if they are discontinuing Mac support.

Honest and accurate communication is the bare minimum expected at this point. As I said, we have been patient and understanding but there is only so long customers can be fobbed off, ignored and given conflicting info before understandable discontent sets in.

[worldofneil]

I don't have a Mac so I haven't contacted support myself, but I am very curious as to what they reply? I mean they must reply with something and they can't tell you to reinstall etc because (from what I can gather) that doesn't work?

I hope this gets resolved soon though, especially as they are still selling the game on Mac...