Summary: Discover how to enjoy Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition on your Mac with this easy-to-follow guide covering installation methods, system requirements, and gameplay tips.

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition is a timeless strategy game that continues to captivate players worldwide. But if you’re a Mac user, you might ask: Can I even play Age of Empires on macOS? The answer is yes, with the right tools and steps.

In this guide, we’ll explore whether AoE II DE is playable on Mac, walk you through a step-by-step process to get it running smoothly, and even show you how to enhance your gameplay with powerful trainers and cheats in Xmod.

Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer, this full guide is your one-stop solution for enjoying AoE II DE on Mac.

1. Can you Play Age of Empires on Mac
2. How to Play Age of Empire II DE on MacOS: Step by Step
3. How to Use Trainers and Cheats in Age of empires 2: Definitive?
4. Conclusion

Can you Play Age of Empires on Mac？

No, Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition is not officially supported on macOS. The game is designed to run on Windows 10 or 11, and you can find the full list of system requirements on the official website.

While Parallels Desktop—a virtualization tool for Mac—has partnered with World’s Edge to support Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition, Age of Empires II: DE is not officially supported. However, Parallels’ internal testing has shown promising results for running it, and more details can be found on their official blog if you’re interested in trying that route.

knowing that Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition is not officially supported on macOS, let’s explore how to play Age of Empire II DE on MacOS.

How to Play Age of Empires II DE on MacOS： Step by Step

Even though Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition doesn’t have an official macOS version, there are still ways to enjoy it on a Mac. As a long-time fan of the series, I’ve been playing the Definitive Edition on my Mac with an M1 chip, and here’s a simple guide on how you can do it too.

Note: This guide is optimized for Apple Silicon Macs (M1, M2, etc.). If you’re using an Intel-based Mac, you might have better results with Boot Camp.

Option 1: Play with CrossOver (Recommended for Apple Silicon)

CrossOver is a paid application that lets you run Windows programs on macOS without needing a full Windows installation.

1.Download and install CrossOver

A free trial is available, and coupon codes are easy to find online.

2.Install Steam inside CrossOver:

Open CrossOver, click “+ Install”, and search for Steam.

This will create a Windows 10 64-bit “bottle” for Steam.

3.Enable DXVK for better graphics performance:

In the Steam bottle’s settings, ensure DXVK is turned on.

4.Install Age of Empires II: DE via Steam

Log into your Steam account and install the game as usual.

5.Fix missing DLL (ucrtbase.dll):

Download the ucrtbase.dll file.

Open the Steam bottle > right-click > Open C: Drive

Navigate to C:/Windows/System32 and replace the existing ucrtbase.dll with the new one.

6.Launch and enjoy the game!

Important: A recent update caused issues on CrossOver v22. Make sure you’re using CrossOver v23 or later.

Option 2: Play via GeForce NOW (Cloud Gaming)

If you prefer a simpler setup, you can stream the game using GeForce NOW, NVIDIA’s cloud gaming service.

1. Download GeForce NOW for macOS
2. Create an account and connect your Steam library.
3. Search for Age of Empires II: DE and click Play.

Graphics may be limited on the free plan, but gameplay is fluid with a stable internet connection.

Now that you know how to run the game on macOS, let’ s take it a step further by customizing your gameplay with trainers and cheats.

How to Use Trainers and Cheats in Age of Empires 2: Definitive?

Although Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition supports built-in cheat codes, for players who want more advanced cheats, trainers, or modding flexibility, Xmod is a great tool to consider—especially for enhancing single-player campaigns, skirmishes, or custom scenarios.

How to Use Xmod with Age of Empires II: DE

• Download and Install Xmod:

Visit the official Xmod website and download the desktop version.

Install it following the setup instructions for your operating system.

• Open Xmod and Add AoE II: DE:

Launch the Xmod app.

Use the built-in search bar to find “Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition.”

Select it and add it to your mod list.

• Configure Cheats/Mods:

Within the game’s Xmod panel, choose from available tweaks such as:

1. Unlimited resources (food, wood, gold, stone)
2. Nightmare Mode
3. Instant Research
4. Weak Units

Toggle your preferred options on or off.

• Launch the Game through Xmod:

Click “Launch Game” from within Xmod. The cheats and settings will be applied automatically.

• Play and Experiment:

Your selected mods will be active during gameplay.

You can adjust or disable them anytime by returning to the Xmod interface.

Conclusion

Although Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition isn’t officially supported on macOS, Mac users still have reliable ways to enjoy the game. Whether you choose to run it through CrossOver or stream it with GeForce NOW, both methods offer smooth performance—especially for Apple Silicon users.

And for those looking to push the game even further in single-player mode, Xmod provides a powerful modding and cheat platform to fully customize your experience. With a little setup, Mac gamers can enjoy Age of Empires II: DE just as smoothly and creatively as their Windows counterparts.