How to play Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 on Mac

Is it possible to play Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 on Mac?

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is a first-person shooter video game developed by Infinity Ward and Sledgehammer Games, and published by Activision. It was initially released worldwide in November 2011 for various platforms including Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, and OS X. However latest version was released on November 2023. The game’s campaign follows the events of “Modern Warfare 2” and centers around Task Force 141, which includes characters like Captain Price, Soap MacTavish, and a newly introduced playable character, Yuri. The plot involves hunting down Vladimir Makarov, a Russian terrorist who leads the Russian Ultranationalist party and has initiated several terror attacks across Europe, triggering a large-scale war. The game features a mix of linear missions and a semi-open world, taking players on a globe-trotting campaign with locations including Verdansk, Urzikstan, the Mediterranean Sea, Siberia, St. Petersburg, London, and Chicago. The campaign is divided into three sets of missions called “Acts”, with the player assuming the role of various characters and changing perspectives throughout the progression of the story. “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3” is compatible with Mac OS X. However, it’s important to note that the game is a 32-bit application, which means it can only run on Mac OS versions that support 32-bit apps. The last version of Mac OS that supports 32-bit apps is Mac OS Mojave. Therefore, if you have a newer version of Mac OS or an Apple Silicon Mac, you may encounter compatibility issues. However, in this article we will explain methods to run the game on any Mac machine.

Play Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 on Mac with Parallels

One easy way to play Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 on Mac is by using a program called Parallels Desktop. This program is capable of creating and running virtual machines that run Windows and support hardware acceleration. In simpler terms, Parallels Desktop allows you to install Windows 10 on Mac with just a couple of clicks and switch between MacOS and Windows instantly. So you will be able to run Windows, install Steam (or Epic Games Store, or any other launcher for that matter), and enjoy the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 game on Mac just like on a regular PC. Generally speaking, you will need an iMac Pro or a Mac Pro to run demanding games. However, if the game you’re trying to run is old, or simply doesn’t demand much from computer hardware, then you will likely be able to run it on any Mac computer, including MacBook Air. When it comes to games in-between, it is recommended to consider your Mac’s hardware specifications instead of thinking in terms of its model.

Please note that not all games are supported by Parallels Desktop. Several conditions must be met for the game to be playable. Your Mac must exceed minimum system requirements for the game. Playing a game on Windows running through Parallels places additional strain on your Mac, so meeting them is not enough. Games that require DirectX12 are currently not supported by Parallels. Online games that use anti-cheat software may be incompatible as well. If your Mac has an Apple Silicon chip (such as M1, M2, M3), you may experience issues playing modern games. AppsOnMac recommends using Parallels’ free trial feature to determine whether you can run the game or not if you’re uncertain.

Install Windows 10 on Parallels (Step 1)

Install Windows 10 on Parallels (Step 2)

Install Windows 10 on Parallels (Step 3)

Install Windows 10 on Parallels (Step 4)

Play Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 on Mac with cloud gaming services

If you have an old Mac or it cannot satisfy Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 game system requirements, there is an easy solution. Cloud gaming services will be happy to provide you with sufficient computing power – though not for free, of course. All you need is a browser or a small client program and a good internet connection starting from 15 MBit/s. There are several great platforms that provide these services; the best ones are Boosteroid, Xbox Cloud, and NVidia GeForce NOW. As Boosteroid has Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 in its game library, it is an excellent choice for gamers seeking to try the game out.

Play Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 on Mac with CrossOver

CrossOver, developed by CodeWeavers, is a Windows compatibility layer for macOS, ChromeOS, and Linux. It enables many Windows-based applications to run on these operating systems without virtualization. Though compatibility layers can be tricky to work with, CrossOver in particular includes user-friendly configuration tools, automated installation scripts, and technical support. As such, it is a relatively easy way to run Windows software and games on non-Windows devices. You may be able to play Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 on Mac using CrossOver as well.

Play Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 on Mac with BootCamp

Note: Mac computers with new Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3 Pro, or M1, M2, M3 Max) currently do not support BootCamp. In this case, please, use the options above to run Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 on Mac

This method is simple but time-consuming. If your Mac meets all the system requirements above, you can play Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 on Mac by installing Windows. You need to set up a dual boot of Windows and Mac via BootCamp. This is an application that allows users to choose the system to work in on startup, however, you won’t be able to switch between systems like in Parallels. You will need to reboot your machine every time you want to switch from Mac to Windows and vice versa. Remember that Mac is just a computer, in the end. And while newer Macs have their own special Apple Silicon chips that cannot run Windows, older Macs are very much similar to computers that run Windows, they have Intel processors, compatible RAM, disks, and other components. So you can install Windows on an older Mac by allocating no less than 64 GB of disk space (to be able to run Windows and a couple of games) and following these steps:

For MacOS versions prior to OS X El Capitan 10.11 you will need to create a bootable Windows USB.

1. Download this Windows ISO file.
2. Open Boot Camp Assistant (Go to Applications > Utilities).
3. Define the Windows partition size and choose the Windows ISO file you’ve downloaded.
4. Format the Windows partition and go through all Windows installation steps.
5. When Windows boots for the first time follow on-screen instructions to install Boot Camp and Windows support software (drivers)