Valve Corporation has announced that, effective October 15, 2025, its Steam gaming platform will cease to support macOS 11 Big Sur. Users operating on this version will need to upgrade to macOS 12 Monterey or later to continue accessing Steam and their game libraries. Failure to update will result in the Steam client and associated games becoming inoperable on systems running Big Sur.
Technical and Security Implications
The decision to discontinue support for macOS Big Sur stems from Steam’s reliance on an embedded version of Google Chrome, which no longer functions properly on older macOS versions. Future Steam updates will also necessitate security features and system capabilities exclusive to macOS 12 and subsequent releases. Apple ended security updates for Big Sur in 2023, leaving systems vulnerable to malware and other security threats. Valve strongly recommends that users upgrade their operating systems promptly to mitigate these risks and ensure uninterrupted access to Steam services.
Transition to Apple Silicon
This move aligns with Valve’s ongoing efforts to optimize Steam for Apple’s hardware advancements. Following Apple’s announcement to phase out Rosetta 2, Valve introduced a beta version of the Steam client with native support for Apple Silicon. Early testers have reported significantly improved performance, including faster launch times and smoother navigation within the Steam Store and Library. This transition underscores Valve’s commitment to enhancing the gaming experience for Mac users by leveraging the full potential of Apple’s latest hardware and software innovations.
Action Steps for Users
Mac users currently operating on macOS 11 Big Sur should plan to upgrade to macOS 12 Monterey or a later version before the October 15 deadline. Upgrading will not only maintain access to Steam and its services but also provide enhanced security and performance benefits. Apple offers comprehensive guidance on upgrading macOS, which can be found on their official support page.
