Yes. Assassin’s Creed Shadows is an official, native macOS release. It launched through the Mac App Store on March 20, 2025, and requires macOS 15 or later on an Apple-silicon Mac. However, the broad “M1 or later” compatibility label should not be confused with the more useful performance baseline: Ubisoft lists an M1 Max or M2 Pro for a target of 720p at 30 frames per second with dynamic resolution and MetalFX.
That makes Shadows an important Mac release, but not a game that every M1, M2, M3, or M4 Mac should be expected to run equally well.
When did Assassin’s Creed Shadows launch on Mac?
The Mac version launched on March 20, 2025, alongside the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Ubisoft+, and Amazon Luna versions. Ubisoft currently lists the Mac edition as available.
The official Mac distribution route is the Mac App Store. This is separate from the Windows PC edition sold through Ubisoft Connect, Steam, and the Epic Games Store.
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- Only at Amazon Limited Edition Content includes the base game and Sekiryu Character Pack
- Explore the captivating open world of feudal Japan, from spectacular castle towns and bustling ports to peaceful shrines and war-ravaged landscapes. Adventure through unpredictable weather, changing seasons, and reactive environments.
- Become Naoe, a shinobi Assassin, and Yasuke, a legendary samurai, as you experience their riveting stories and master their complementary playstyles.
- Make information your weapon as you explore the world, and build your own network of spies to be your eyes and ears across locations to hunt down your next target. Along the way, recruit new allies with unique abilities to help accomplish your missions.
- Create a fully customizable hideout for your growing shinobi league as you train your crew, craft new gear, interact with key characters, and choose your base’s layout, decorations, and accessories.
It is a native Mac port, not a Windows workaround
Ubisoft says Assassin’s Creed Shadows was natively ported to macOS. You do not need Wine, CrossOver, Parallels, or cloud streaming to run the official Mac edition.
Apple says the port uses Metal 3, Apple-silicon technologies, and HDR. Apple also highlights real-time ray tracing on Macs with M3 and M4 chips. Those features are hardware-dependent, however; their presence does not guarantee identical graphics settings or frame rates across Mac models.
Ubisoft’s technical Q&A and Apple’s developer article provide the underlying details.
Mac requirements: compatibility versus performance
The requirements have two important layers. The Mac App Store’s platform requirement is broad, while Ubisoft’s published performance target is considerably more demanding.
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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →| Requirement | Published detail |
|---|---|
| Operating system | macOS 15.0 or later |
| Processor | Apple M1 chip or later for platform compatibility |
| Meaningful performance baseline | Apple M1 Max or M2 Pro |
| Published target | 720p at 30 fps with dynamic resolution and MetalFX |
| Memory signal | 16 GB for sustained-performance recommendations |
| Storage | About 130 GB free space listed; the App Store size was approximately 152.2 GB when observed |
The apparent contradiction is straightforward: “M1 or later” means the app is technically eligible to install. M1 Max/M2 Pro is the more meaningful baseline for Ubisoft’s stated minimum performance target. Ubisoft and Apple do not provide a complete performance matrix for every Mac configuration, so a base M1 or M2 Mac may install the game without being covered by that 720p/30 expectation.
Which Macs are the better fit?
- Base M1 or M2 Macs: technically eligible, but performance is configuration-dependent. Exercise particular caution with 8 GB models and passively cooled MacBook Air systems.
- M1 Pro or M2 Pro Macs: closer to the published baseline, depending on memory, cooling, and exact configuration.
- M1 Max, M2 Max, and newer Max systems: stronger candidates for sustained gaming workloads, although no universal frame-rate guarantee should be assumed.
- M3 and M4 Macs: benefit from newer Apple-silicon capabilities, including the ray-tracing support Apple highlights, but chip generation alone does not establish a specific frame rate.
- Intel Macs: outside the stated requirement. The Mac App Store listing requires an Apple M1 chip or later.
Check the exact chip, unified-memory capacity, macOS version, cooling design, and available storage—not just the product name. Two Macs with similar chip families can behave differently in a sustained open-world game when one is a fanless laptop and the other has active cooling.
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- ENTER FEUDAL JAPAN - Explore the captivating open world of feudal Japan, from spectacular castle towns and bustling ports to peaceful shrines and war-ravaged landscapes. Adventure through unpredictable weather, changing seasons, and reactive environments.
- MASTER COMPLEMENTARY PLAYSTYLES - Become Naoe, a shinobi Assassin, and Yasuke, a legendary samurai, as you experience their riveting stories and master their complementary playstyles. As Naoe, use stealth to avoid detection and agility to confound your enemies. As Yasuke, strike your foes with lethal precision and power. Unlock new skills, gear, and progression independently for each character.
- MAKE INFORMATION YOUR WEAPON - Travel the world and build your own network of spies to be your eyes and ears across locations to hunt down your next target. Along the way, recruit new allies with unique abilities to help accomplish your missions
- BUILD A PLACE TO CALL HOME - Create a fully customizable hideout for your growing shinobi league as you train your crew, craft new gear, interact with key characters, and choose your base’s buildings layout, decorations, and accessories.
How much storage do you need?
The Mac App Store showed an app size of approximately 152.2 GB, while the surfaced requirements information referred to approximately 130 GB of free space. Those figures can represent different package, installation, update, or downloadable-content states.
For a practical installation buffer, reserve at least 160 GB of free space before downloading. Leaving additional room for updates and expansion content is sensible, particularly on MacBooks with smaller internal SSDs. The listing’s storage figures should take priority if they change.
What does the Mac version include?
The Mac release is the full Assassin’s Creed Shadows experience described by Ubisoft, set in feudal Japan. It features:
- Naoe, a shinobi Assassin, and Yasuke, a samurai
- Stealth and direct-combat playstyles
- An open world with seasonal and weather changes
- Hideout customization
- Allies and a spy network
- Photo mode
Edition contents are separate from the base game. Do not assume that buying the standard edition automatically includes the Digital Deluxe or Premium content, or the separately sold Claws of Awaji expansion.
Mac price and editions
The Mac App Store listing showed the full game at $69.99 in the United States. Ubisoft Store prices observed on August 16, 2026, were:
- Standard Edition: $69.99
- Digital Deluxe Edition: $89.99
- Premium Edition: $109.99
- Claws of Awaji expansion: $24.99
A separate Ubisoft games page also showed temporary discounts of $31.50 for the Standard Edition and $54.99 for the Premium Edition. Storefront promotions change, and those Ubisoft Store listings primarily concern the PC storefront. Check the current Mac App Store price before buying; it may not match a Ubisoft promotion.
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![Assassin's Creed Shadows [PlayStation 5]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51cgBmgsqGL._SL160_.jpg)
- Experience an epic, historical action adventure in feudal Japan and become a deadly Shinobi assassin and a powerful legendary samurai as you explore a beautiful open game world in chaotic times
- Sneak as a Naoe to not be discovered, use your agility to confuse your opponents and stretch down your opponents with deadly precision and power as a Yasuke
- Use information as weapons and build your own spy network to have eyes and ears everywhere and find your targets easier and recruit new allies on the go with unique skills to help you with your missions
- Create a fully customizable hideaway for your growing Shinobi league, where you train recruits, craft new equipment and interact with important characters; set the room layout, decoration and accessories yourself
Mac App Store · Ubisoft Store editions · Ubisoft promotions
Controller, keyboard, and mouse support
The Mac App Store lists Shadows as controller supported. Ubisoft’s broader PC documentation describes controller layouts and keyboard-and-mouse configuration, but the available Mac product information does not establish that every input option behaves identically to the Windows version. Confirm support for a specific peripheral if that matters to your setup.
Cross-save, accounts, and DLC
Ubisoft says the game supports cross-save and cross-progression when players link their Ubisoft Connect account. That does not necessarily mean cross-buy between the Mac App Store and PC storefronts, nor does it guarantee that every DLC entitlement transfers identically.
Before purchasing a second copy, verify how Mac App Store ownership, account linking, and expansion entitlements interact. The Ubisoft Store’s Windows listing mentions Ubisoft Connect and Denuvo, but those PC requirements should not automatically be applied to the Mac App Store edition. The available sources also do not establish that the Mac App Store version is fully offline or define every activation requirement, so check the current store listing and Ubisoft support documentation.
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What about Ubisoft+?
Ubisoft’s Ubisoft+ page and the game’s Ubisoft listing identify Shadows as available through Ubisoft+. This may suit players who want temporary access or plan to play several Ubisoft titles. It is less attractive for someone who wants permanent ownership or intends to play only this game long-term.
Confirm the current plan tier, platform eligibility, and Mac availability before subscribing. Do not assume that a Ubisoft+ entitlement is the same as owning the Mac App Store version.
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- BECOME A FEARSOME PIRATE- Strike fear in your foes as you board and sink enemy vessels as Edward Kenway, captain of the Jackdaw. Whether blending into crowds or leading daring assaults, switch between silent takedowns and fierce brawls as you effortlessly wield swords, pistols, and the Hidden Blade. With a cast of historical pirate legends at your side, defy empires amidst the age-old conflict opposing Assassins and Templars.
- A CLASSIC REBUILT FOR AN ENHANCED EXPERIENCE- Combat has been rebuilt for more dynamic encounters, emphasizing parries and takedowns, while stealth and parkour have been improved for smoother escapes and assassinations. Continuously upgrade the Jackdaw to face powerful enemy ships with enhanced naval mechanics featuring new alternate fire modes. Quality-of-life additions also address previous pain points, ensuring your experience is improved.
- THE CARIBBEAN LIKE NEVER BEFORE- Whether you’re sailing the open seas or journeying across untamed lands, discover a seamless open world built with the latest Anvil engine. Take in sweeping vistas as you brave stormy waters, dive into underwater shipwrecks, or push through dense tropical jungles. Enhanced by features such as Dolby Atmos and ray tracing, every scene feels more immersive, bringing the world’s beauty to life.
- EXPANDING EDWARD’S ADVENTURE- Building on top of the original story, Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced introduces exclusive new content. Familiar faces will return, with new storylines dedicated to fan-favorite characters such as Blackbeard and Stede Bonnet. Unexpected allies will also cross your path, as three officers join you on your journey as part of the main narrative. More surprises await, such as new sea shanties, pets, a photo mode, and more.
What about iPad, Steam Deck, and compatibility layers?
Ubisoft’s game page says an iPad version is coming, but that should not be treated as simultaneous with the Mac launch unless Ubisoft provides a later availability announcement.
Ubisoft said the game was not Steam Deck-compatible at launch because the device was below the stated PC minimum specifications. That statement concerns the PC build, not the native Mac edition. Since the Mac App Store version is available, Windows compatibility layers are not prerequisites for Mac owners.
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Buy with confidence if you have an Apple-silicon Mac running macOS 15 or later, at least 16 GB of memory, roughly 160 GB of free storage, and hardware at or above the published M1 Max/M2 Pro performance baseline.
Exercise caution with base M1 or M2 systems, 8 GB Macs, fanless laptops, limited SSDs, or expectations of console-quality 4K/60 performance. The available first-party information confirms compatibility targets, not guaranteed results for every Apple-silicon configuration.
The important news is that Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a genuine native Mac release rather than a wrapper or streaming-only product. The practical caveat is equally important: “M1 or later” gets you into the compatibility category, but it does not make every M1-or-newer Mac a recommended gaming machine.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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