# Zwift doesn't work with MacOS **URL:** \ **Category:** Bugs and Support\ **Created:** [October 29, 2026, 1:11am UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/zwift-doesnt-work-with-macos/672557 "2026-10-29T01:11:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![HoldenCaulfield](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/holdencaulfield/32/507952_2.png) [@HoldenCaulfield](https://forums.zwift.com/u/HoldenCaulfield)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 1:11am UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/zwift-doesnt-work-with-macos/672557/1 "2026-10-29T01:11:09Z")
It hasn’t worked for months. I just get the dumb screen that says “see what’s out west” with an image of a whale jumping out of the water. No buttons to press. This has been going on for months. Zwift support told me to download the latest patch which did nothing. They’re happy to keep taking my money though. Anyone else having this problem on a Mac? ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/original/4X/2/d/b/2db54b451f25bbfa7d6474586f7463747a7af880.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Mike\_Rowe1](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/mike_rowe1/32/530428_2.png) [@Mike\_Rowe1](https://forums.zwift.com/u/Mike_Rowe1)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 1:23am UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/zwift-doesnt-work-with-macos/672557/2 "2026-10-29T01:23:31Z")
> [@HoldenCaulfield](#): > > Anyone else having this problem on a Mac? I’m going to guess no one else is having this issue or we would’ve seen many more posts about it. How are you launching the game, are you somehow bypassing the launcher? I don’t have a Mac, but I’ve seen some users explain that they are starting the game without using the launcher and that can cause issues. @Chris_D9 can probably help explain what I’m referring to. ---
**Author:** ![Chris\_D9](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/chris_d9/32/541335_2.png) [@Chris\_D9](https://forums.zwift.com/u/Chris_D9)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 2:05am UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/zwift-doesnt-work-with-macos/672557/3 "2026-10-29T02:05:42Z")
> [@HoldenCaulfield](#): > > Zwift support told me to download the latest patch which did nothing. They’re happy to keep taking my money though. Anyone else having this problem on a Mac? I haven’t seen this issue. But you can try navigating to the Zwift application location: ~/Library/Application Support/Zwift/ And running ZwiftApp or ZwiftAppSilicon depending on what kind of Mac you use. ---
**Author:** ![Dan\_Kothlow](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/dan_kothlow/32/48519_2.png) [@Dan\_Kothlow](https://forums.zwift.com/u/Dan_Kothlow)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 12:30pm UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/zwift-doesnt-work-with-macos/672557/4 "2026-10-29T12:30:25Z")
I think it’s safe to say that the issues seen here are due to launching Zwift directly and not using the launcher. The launcher checks for updates. ---
**Author:** ![Mike\_Rowe1](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/mike_rowe1/32/530428_2.png) [@Mike\_Rowe1](https://forums.zwift.com/u/Mike_Rowe1)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 12:43pm UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/zwift-doesnt-work-with-macos/672557/5 "2026-10-29T12:43:08Z")
> [@Dan\_Kothlow](#): > > the issues seen here are due to launching Zwift directly and not using the launcher. that’s what I was thinking ---
**Author:** ![HoldenCaulfield](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/holdencaulfield/32/507952_2.png) [@HoldenCaulfield](https://forums.zwift.com/u/HoldenCaulfield)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 6:28pm UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/zwift-doesnt-work-with-macos/672557/6 "2026-10-29T18:28:57Z")
I don’t know what this means. I downloaded the application, installed it, and launched it. What is the ‘launcher’ and how is it different from what I’ve been doing? ---
**Author:** ![Dan\_Kothlow](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/dan_kothlow/32/48519_2.png) [@Dan\_Kothlow](https://forums.zwift.com/u/Dan_Kothlow)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 6:55pm UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/zwift-doesnt-work-with-macos/672557/7 "2026-10-29T18:55:09Z")
Hard to say without knowing what you’ve been doing. How do you start Zwift? Do you have a shortcut on your Desktop or are you using Applications from the dock? ---
**Author:** ![Chris\_D9](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/chris_d9/32/541335_2.png) [@Chris\_D9](https://forums.zwift.com/u/Chris_D9)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 6:58pm UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/zwift-doesnt-work-with-macos/672557/8 "2026-10-29T18:58:28Z")
> [@HoldenCaulfield](#): > > What is the ‘launcher’ and how is it different from what I’ve been doing? Launcher is the icon you click on in your Applications folder. The other two apps are run by the launcher. It’s likely you won’t know where they are from the sound of what you are saying. ---
**Author:** ![HoldenCaulfield](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/holdencaulfield/32/507952_2.png) [@HoldenCaulfield](https://forums.zwift.com/u/HoldenCaulfield)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 8:35pm UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/zwift-doesnt-work-with-macos/672557/9 "2026-10-29T20:35:24Z")
I run Zwift from the application in the Applications folder and from the Icon on the Dock, which appear to be the same thing. Is there something else I should be doing? ---
**Author:** ![HoldenCaulfield](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/holdencaulfield/32/507952_2.png) [@HoldenCaulfield](https://forums.zwift.com/u/HoldenCaulfield)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 8:44pm UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/zwift-doesnt-work-with-macos/672557/11 "2026-10-29T20:44:27Z")
I run Zwift from the application in the Applications folder and from the Icon on the Dock, which appear to be the same thing. Is there something else I should be doing? I have a 2021 MacBook Pro with the M1 Pro chip. ---
**Author:** ![HoldenCaulfield](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/holdencaulfield/32/507952_2.png) [@HoldenCaulfield](https://forums.zwift.com/u/HoldenCaulfield)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 9:00pm UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/zwift-doesnt-work-with-macos/672557/12 "2026-10-29T21:00:06Z")
> [@Dan\_Kothlow](#): > > Hard to say without knowing what you’ve been doing. > How do you start Zwift? > Do you have a shortcut on your Desktop or are you using Applications from the dock? > [@Chris\_D9](#): > > I haven’t seen this issue. > > But you can try navigating to the Zwift application location: > > ~/Library/Application Support/Zwift/ > > And running ZwiftApp or ZwiftAppSilicon depending on what kind of Mac you use. Holy ■■■■ that worked! Dude, you are like Bill Gates with your knowledge! Can I make a shortcut for the ZwiftAppSilicon on my desktop? After months of having to use my janky Samsung A9 tablet with its laggy airstreaming connection to my Roku to my monitor, I’ll finally be able to run it on my Mac to the 32" monitor via HDMI again. Thank you!! ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_Southworth](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/paul_southworth/32/538336_2.png) [@Paul\_Southworth](https://forums.zwift.com/u/Paul_Southworth)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 9:23pm UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/zwift-doesnt-work-with-macos/672557/13 "2026-10-29T21:23:05Z")
> [@HoldenCaulfield](#): > > Can I make a shortcut for the ZwiftAppSilicon on my desktop? You can, but what this reveals is that the problem has something to do with the Zwift launcher. The launcher handles saved authentication and application updates, so if you always bypass the launcher, you will have to supply a login password every time, and you will never get a game update. So it’s good as a workaround so you can actually do a ride (winning!) but long term it’s better to figure out why it isn’t working. ---
**Author:** ![HoldenCaulfield](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/holdencaulfield/32/507952_2.png) [@HoldenCaulfield](https://forums.zwift.com/u/HoldenCaulfield)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2026, 12:10am UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/zwift-doesnt-work-with-macos/672557/14 "2026-10-30T00:10:54Z")
> [@Paul\_Southworth](#): > > You can, but what this reveals is that the problem has something to do with the Zwift launcher. The launcher handles saved authentication and application updates, so if you always bypass the launcher, you will have to supply a login password every time, and you will never get a game update. So it’s good as a workaround so you can actually do a ride (winning!) but long term it’s better to figure out why it isn’t working. Why does my Mac have two versions? How old is the ZwiftAppSilicon? Can I update the ZwiftAppSilicon from time to time? ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_Southworth](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/paul_southworth/32/538336_2.png) [@Paul\_Southworth](https://forums.zwift.com/u/Paul_Southworth)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2026, 12:22am UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/zwift-doesnt-work-with-macos/672557/15 "2026-10-30T00:22:54Z")
The first thing to try is a clean re-install of the game, which is every step in this document: [Reinstalling Zwift](https://support.zwift.com/en_us/reinstalling-zwift-BymCF82TH) To update the game, you would need to run the launcher one way or another. When you download the app from the Zwift website ([zwift.com/download](https://zwift.com/download)) what you are getting is the launcher. So it has to run in order to install an update. ---
**Author:** ![Dan\_Kothlow](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/dan_kothlow/32/48519_2.png) [@Dan\_Kothlow](https://forums.zwift.com/u/Dan_Kothlow)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2026, 12:27am UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/zwift-doesnt-work-with-macos/672557/16 "2026-10-30T00:27:16Z")
> [@HoldenCaulfield](#): > > Why does my Mac have two versions? There are 2 versions because MacOS has the Intel processor Macs and the Apple Silicon processor Macs. I assume there is some logic in the Launcher to determine which processor is present, and launch the appropriate game App. ---
**Author:** ![HoldenCaulfield](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/holdencaulfield/32/507952_2.png) [@HoldenCaulfield](https://forums.zwift.com/u/HoldenCaulfield)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2026, 6:57pm UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/zwift-doesnt-work-with-macos/672557/17 "2026-10-30T18:57:24Z")
> [@Dan\_Kothlow](#): > > There are 2 versions because MacOS has the Intel processor Macs and the Apple Silicon processor Macs. > I assume there is some logic in the Launcher to determine which processor is present, and launch the appropriate game App. I’m sorry I should have been more clear. Why is there the regular Zwift (in the Applications folder) and the other ZwiftAppSilicon? And since the ZwiftAppSilicon is the only version that works now, how can I periodically update that version? ---
**Author:** ![Dan\_Kothlow](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/dan_kothlow/32/48519_2.png) [@Dan\_Kothlow](https://forums.zwift.com/u/Dan_Kothlow)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2026, 7:00pm UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/zwift-doesnt-work-with-macos/672557/18 "2026-10-30T19:00:08Z")
If the Zwift in the Applications folder doesn’t work, your best bet is to use @Paul_Southworth’s advice and do a complete uninstall and reinstall. Use the link in his post a few posts up from this. Don’t skip any of the steps. ---
**Author:** ![HoldenCaulfield](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/holdencaulfield/32/507952_2.png) [@HoldenCaulfield](https://forums.zwift.com/u/HoldenCaulfield)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2026, 7:05pm UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/zwift-doesnt-work-with-macos/672557/19 "2026-10-30T19:05:05Z")
> [@Dan\_Kothlow](#): > > f the Zwift in the Applications folder doesn’t work, your best bet is to use @Paul_Southworth’s advice and do a complete uninstall and reinstall. > Use the link in his post a few posts up from this. > Don’t skip any of the steps. I did a reinstall from the Zwift website and it didn’t do jack ■■■■. But I’ll try it from the Paul’s link, not that it will be any different. ---
**Author:** ![Mike\_Rowe1](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/mike_rowe1/32/530428_2.png) [@Mike\_Rowe1](https://forums.zwift.com/u/Mike_Rowe1)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2026, 7:12pm UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/zwift-doesnt-work-with-macos/672557/20 "2026-10-30T19:12:09Z")
> [@HoldenCaulfield](#): > > I did a reinstall from the Zwift website but did you do steps 1 - 9 first? this is the important part ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/original/4X/c/4/0/c40f1418abb89e9e3033d8755a47711d001c69e1.png) ---
**Author:** ![HoldenCaulfield](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/holdencaulfield/32/507952_2.png) [@HoldenCaulfield](https://forums.zwift.com/u/HoldenCaulfield)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2026, 7:20pm UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/zwift-doesnt-work-with-macos/672557/21 "2026-10-30T19:20:11Z")
> [@Mike\_Rowe1](#): > > but did you do steps 1 - 9 first? this is the important part No. I’m doing it now. It has me trashing the ZwiftAppSilicon which is the only way I can Zwift. But I’ll try it against my better judgement. [Next page](https://forums.zwift.com/t/zwift-doesnt-work-with-macos/672557.md?page=2)