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How to Download Assassin’s Creed Shadows for Windows and macOS

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is available on Windows through Ubisoft, Steam, and Epic, and as a separate native Apple-silicon release through the Mac App Store. Follow the correct installation steps and check the current PC and Mac requirements before buying.
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Assassin’s Creed Shadows is available for Windows PC through the Ubisoft Store, Steam, and Epic Games Store, and for supported Apple-silicon Macs through the Mac App Store. The two computer versions use different storefronts and requirements: Windows needs DirectX 12-compatible hardware and an SSD, while Mac requires an M1-or-newer chip and macOS 15 or later.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is available for Windows PC through the Ubisoft Store, Steam, and Epic Games Store. The native Mac version is distributed through the Mac App Store and requires an Apple-silicon Mac running macOS 15.0 or later. A Windows purchase should not be assumed to transfer to the Mac App Store edition.

Choose the correct download method

Computer Official storefront Important requirements
Windows PC Ubisoft Store, Steam, or Epic Games Store 64-bit Windows 10 or 11, DirectX 12, 16 GB RAM, supported GPU, and an SSD
Mac Mac App Store Apple M1 chip or newer, macOS 15.0 or later, 16 GB RAM, and about 130 GB of free storage

This is a paid game, not a free download. The Windows listings may offer different editions, including a Premium Edition with the Claws of Awaji expansion and bonus content. The Mac App Store listing also presents the expansion and credit packs as optional in-app purchases.

Download Assassin’s Creed Shadows on Windows

Option 1: Ubisoft Store and Ubisoft Connect

  1. Buy or redeem the Windows PC edition through the Ubisoft Store.
  2. Install Ubisoft Connect PC if it is not already installed.
  3. Sign in with the Ubisoft account used for the purchase or redemption.
  4. Open your Ubisoft Connect library and select Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
  5. Choose Download or Install, select an SSD location with sufficient free space, and begin the installation.

A Ubisoft account and Ubisoft Connect are part of the PC installation or launch path. Ubisoft’s store information also states that Denuvo is installed automatically and is required to start the game, so this is not an offline, DRM-free Windows installer.

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Option 2: Steam

  1. Purchase or redeem the Windows edition on Steam.
  2. Open the Steam desktop client and sign in.
  3. Open Library, select Assassin’s Creed Shadows, and click Install.
  4. Choose an SSD library location with enough free space.
  5. Allow Steam to complete the game download and any required setup. Follow any Ubisoft account or Ubisoft Connect prompts that appear during installation or launch.

Steam is an official Windows distribution route, but buying through Steam does not necessarily remove Ubisoft account or launcher requirements. Keep access to the Ubisoft account associated with the game.

Option 3: Epic Games Store

  1. Purchase or redeem the Windows PC edition through the Epic Games Store.
  2. Install and open the Epic Games Launcher.
  3. Open Library, select Assassin’s Creed Shadows, and choose Install.
  4. Select an SSD installation location and allow the launcher to download the game.
  5. Complete any Ubisoft account or Ubisoft Connect sign-in requested by the game.

Epic is an official Windows storefront for the game. Edition names, pricing, promotions, and launcher prompts can change, so verify those details in the store before purchasing.

Windows PC requirements

Ubisoft publishes multiple performance tiers rather than one universal “minimum FPS” specification. Actual results vary with the processor, graphics card, cooling, memory configuration, resolution, and graphics settings.

Target Published hardware examples Graphics and storage notes
Baseline: 1080p at 30 FPS Intel Core i7-8700K or AMD Ryzen 5 3600; Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 8 GB, AMD Radeon RX 5700 8 GB, or Intel Arc A580 8 GB Dynamic resolution and upscaling; Intel Arc A580 requires Resizable BAR enabled
Recommended: 1080p at 60 FPS on High Intel Core i5-11600K or AMD Ryzen 5 5600X; Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Ti, AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT, or Intel Arc B580 Higher tiers are listed for 1440p and 4K play

The storefront specifications list Windows 10/11, DirectX 12, and 16 GB of dual-channel RAM. Ubisoft’s store listing shows 106 GB of SSD capacity, while Steam shows 115 GB. Because those figures differ, reserve at least 115 GB of free SSD space, preferably with additional room for patches and temporary installation files.

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Do not treat the baseline graphics cards as a guarantee for every laptop or desktop configuration. Integrated graphics should not be assumed to work unless the relevant hardware is specifically supported by Ubisoft.

Download Assassin’s Creed Shadows on a Mac

The Mac release is a separate native Apple-silicon version. It is not a Windows installer, and a Windows Steam or Ubisoft purchase should not be presented as automatically granting a Mac App Store entitlement.

  1. Confirm that the Mac has an Apple M1 chip or newer.
  2. Update the computer to macOS 15.0 or later, also identified in the listing as macOS Sequoia.
  3. Make sure the Mac has at least 16 GB of RAM.
  4. Reserve approximately 130 GB of free storage. The App Store currently lists the app size as 152.2 GB, so check the live listing and leave extra space for updates.
  5. Open the Mac App Store, search for Assassin’s Creed Shadows, and purchase the Mac edition.
  6. Download it from your App Store library and launch it after installation.

Apple’s listing gives an indicative minimum performance target of an M1 Max or M2 Pro for 720p at 30 FPS using dynamic resolution and MetalFX. That specification is more restrictive than simply having an M1-series chip: an older or lower-tier Apple-silicon Mac may meet the platform requirement without matching the published performance target.

Intel-based Macs and Macs that cannot run macOS 15 should not be treated as natively compatible. Do not use the Windows PC requirements as a substitute for the Mac listing.

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Storage: what to do if you are short of space

For Windows, use an SSD and plan around at least 115 GB of free capacity. For Mac, plan around 130 GB, while also checking the App Store’s current size figure. Installation and updates can require temporary working space beyond the final installed size.

If the internal drive is full, a portable external SSD for game storage may be a practical option, but it is not automatically a supported solution. Before buying one, verify the drive’s interface speed, filesystem compatibility, operating-system support, and available capacity. An external drive cannot compensate for an unsupported CPU, GPU, operating system, or Mac architecture, and the game’s launcher may impose its own installation-location restrictions.

Optional companion: official guide

After downloading the game, players who want maps, walkthroughs, inventory information, and progression help can consider the Assassin’s Creed Shadows official guide. Piggyback lists a 416-page standard edition and a 448-page collector’s hardcover edition, both released March 20, 2025, with Amazon.com among the listed retailers. The book is optional and is not required to download, install, or play the game.

Which edition should you buy?

  • Standard edition: the straightforward choice if you only want the base game.
  • Premium Edition: Ubisoft currently promotes an edition that includes the Claws of Awaji expansion and additional bonus content. Confirm the exact included items on the storefront where you purchase.
  • Mac edition: purchase through the Mac App Store if you have a supported Apple-silicon Mac. Do not assume that a Windows-store entitlement transfers to this edition.

Prices, promotions, editions, app size, and availability can change. Check the live listing for your country before completing the transaction.

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Troubleshooting download and launch problems

The game does not appear in the library

Confirm that you are signed in to the account that made the purchase or redemption. Steam and Epic purchases should be checked in their respective libraries; Ubisoft purchases should be checked in Ubisoft Connect. If you bought a Windows edition, look for it in the Windows storefront rather than expecting it to appear as a Mac App Store purchase.

The launcher asks for Ubisoft Connect

This can be expected. Ubisoft Connect and a Ubisoft account may be required even when the game was obtained through Steam or Epic. Install the requested Ubisoft software, sign in to the account associated with the entitlement, and retry the launch.

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The installer says there is not enough space

Free more than the advertised final capacity, not merely the exact number shown in the store. For Windows, use 115 GB as the minimum planning figure and leave update headroom. For Mac, use approximately 130 GB as the storage guidance while checking the current App Store size. Empty the recycle bin or Trash and recheck the selected installation drive.

The Mac is not compatible

Check Apple menu → About This Mac to identify the chip and macOS version. Native support requires Apple M1 or later and macOS 15.0 or later. An Intel Mac or an older macOS installation does not meet the published native requirements.

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Performance is lower than expected

Published tiers are targets, not a promise that every system will deliver the stated frame rate. Confirm that the game is using the intended GPU, update system and graphics drivers where applicable, close unnecessary background software, and reduce resolution or graphics settings. Laptop performance can also be affected by power mode and thermal limits. Unsupported hardware should not be expected to match Ubisoft’s listed tiers.

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Quick pre-download checklist

  • Windows: 64-bit Windows 10/11, DirectX 12, 16 GB RAM, supported dedicated GPU, and at least 115 GB free on an SSD.
  • Mac: Apple M1 or newer, macOS 15.0 or later, 16 GB RAM, and approximately 130 GB free storage.
  • Choose the storefront for the operating system you will actually use.
  • Use the correct account: Ubisoft Connect for Ubisoft purchases, Steam for Steam purchases, Epic for Epic purchases, and the Apple account for the Mac App Store edition.
  • Allow for patches and temporary installation files.
  • Expect account, launcher, and DRM requirements on the Windows PC version.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I download Assassin’s Creed Shadows on a Mac?

Yes. The native Mac version is available through the Mac App Store, but it requires an Apple M1 chip or newer, macOS 15.0 or later, and 16 GB of RAM. It is a separate Mac release, so a Windows purchase should not be assumed to transfer.

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Is Assassin’s Creed Shadows free to download?

No. It is a paid game. The Mac App Store listing also includes optional purchases such as the Claws of Awaji expansion and credit packs.

Where can I legally download Assassin’s Creed Shadows?

Windows users can purchase it through the Ubisoft Store, Steam, or Epic Games Store. Mac users with compatible Apple-silicon hardware should use the Mac App Store.

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Do I need Ubisoft Connect to play the PC version?

Ubisoft Connect and a Ubisoft account may be required even if you purchase the game through Steam or Epic. The Windows listing also identifies Denuvo as required to start the game.

The Bottom Line

For Windows, download Assassin’s Creed Shadows from Ubisoft Connect, Steam, or the Epic Games Store after confirming DirectX 12 support, 16 GB of RAM, compatible graphics hardware, and at least 115 GB of free SSD space. For Mac, buy the separate native edition from the Mac App Store only if the computer has Apple silicon, macOS 15 or later, 16 GB of RAM, and roughly 130 GB of free storage.

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