Installed in a few steps
Download the DMG, drag the app to Applications, and open it. Every release is signed and notarized by Apple. You never need to disable security settings.
Play Guild Wars natively on your Mac
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GWonMac starts the official client as a native macOS app. You don’t need a virtual machine, and there is nothing to patch by hand.
Free · Open source (GPL-3.0) · Signed & notarized
- install, then it updates itself
- 1-click
- install, then it updates itself
- Retina-sharp on any display
- 4K–5K
- Retina-sharp on any display
- FPS on Apple Silicon
- 60–120
- FPS on Apple Silicon
- fully open source
- GPL-3.0
- fully open source
Set it up once, then just play
GWonMac handles installation, game data, and updates. All you need is your existing Guild Wars account.
Updates without manual work
Game data stays up to date automatically. When a new app version is available, the launcher lets you know and installs it in one click.
Retina, up to 5K
Native rendering on internal and external displays, with selectable render scale and the client’s graphics settings.
Up to 120 FPS on Apple Silicon
Testers report steady 60 FPS on an M1 MacBook Air and up to 120 FPS on newer Pro models. Actual performance depends on your machine, resolution, and graphics settings.
The official client from ArenaNet
GWonMac uses ArenaNet’s WebAssembly client and downloads game data directly from ArenaNet. Your existing account and Steam login are supported.
Free and open source
The source code is available on GitHub under GPL-3.0. Optional quality-of-life features for PvE are already in development.
From r/GuildWars
Reports from different Macs
Real feedback from users on M1, M2, M4, and M5 machines, straight from the Reddit release threads.
I was getting a steady 120 FPS on max settings. I’m very happy. Thanks for the work you’ve put into this!
This is amazing! Getting 60 fps on a M2 Air at full 5k. Max settings.
Made a reddit account to say thank you so much for sharing this! Wow, I can’t even believe I’m able to play gw1 again.
Playing on an M4 MBA. It plays great, solid 60fps on my default screen resolution. Controller works too. Amazing job.
Runs very very well on a MacBook Air M2. Way better than parallels version, which fps would drop and had some lag.
Well done sir! Working great — buttery smooth and native-feeling! Impressive work!
It’s so awesome to finally be able to play GW in full glory and without performance issues on my MacBook.
It runs without any issue on my M2 Mac Mini as well. Guild Wars itself runs nicely.
This is working great on m1pro Mac with 16gb.
Frequently asked questions
Will this get me banned?
Nobody outside ArenaNet can guarantee that, so here is what we actually know. We contacted ArenaNet before launch: in late July 2026 a staff member ran GWonMac on their own Mac and said they are fine with what the project does as things stand. That is not an endorsement or a policy, and ArenaNet could take a different view later. GWonMac runs ArenaNet’s unmodified official client, hooks into nothing, and automates nothing. If ArenaNet ever says stop, the project is deprecated and everyone is told the same day. Read the full safety page →
Is GWonMac free?
Yes. Free and open source under GPL-3.0. The app costs nothing and always will.
Does it include Guild Wars?
No. GWonMac downloads the official client and game files directly from ArenaNet instead of bundling them. You need your own Guild Wars account to play.
Which Macs are supported?
Every Apple Silicon Mac, from the M1 MacBook Air to the latest Pro machines, running macOS 12 Monterey or later. Testers report steady 60 FPS on an M1 Air and up to 120 FPS on newer chips. Intel Macs are not supported.
How do I install it?
Download the DMG, drag Guild Wars to Applications, and open it. Releases are signed with Developer ID, notarized by Apple, and verified by Gatekeeper. You never need to disable security settings to run it. Step-by-step install guide →
What about CrossOver, Parallels, or Whisky?
They can work, but all of them run the Windows client through a compatibility layer or a virtual machine. That means extra cost and more parts that can break. GWonMac runs the official client natively. Every option compared →
Does it update automatically?
Yes. The game data stays current automatically, and the launcher tells you when a new app version is ready. Updating is one click.
Do I need a Guild Wars account? Does Steam login work?
Yes. You sign in with your existing Guild Wars account; Steam login works too. The app never sees or stores your credentials.
I play on mobile with Sign in with Apple. Can I play on Mac without buying again?
Yes. A mobile account uses a Mobile ID, which the desktop client doesn’t accept, so link it once to an ArenaNet account from the mobile app. After that you sign in on your Mac with the ArenaNet credentials, and your characters and the campaigns you bought on mobile come with you. How to link your mobile account →
Can I use GWToolbox++?
No. It hooks into the Windows client, and GWonMac doesn’t run that client. GWonMac Tools, our own optional set of PvE quality-of-life features, is in development. Soon™.
Does GWonMac run Guild Wars 2?
No. GWonMac runs the original Guild Wars (Reforged) only. Guild Wars 2 is a different engine, and its native Mac client was discontinued by ArenaNet in February 2021.
How do I report bugs or get help?
Join the Discord for quick help, or use the GitHub bug form. Inside the app, Help → Report a Problem collects redacted diagnostics for you. Credentials and account data are never included. Troubleshooting & known issues →
New releases, known issues, quick help: it all lands on Discord first.
Join the DiscordInstall Guild Wars on your Mac
Download GWonMac for free, sign in with your existing account, and start the official client.
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