How to Play eFootball PES 2021 on Mac (Best Options Compared)
- Sven Frese
- Games
- September 4, 2024
Konami’s eFootball PES 2021 Season Update remains a fan-favorite among football sim enthusiasts—many prefer it over the newer free-to-play eFootball. While Konami never released a Mac version, you still have several ways to play it on your MacBook or iMac.
Mac users have three solid options: CrossOver (a compatibility layer that runs Windows games directly on your Mac), Whisky (a free alternative to CrossOver), or CloudDeck (cloud gaming that streams the game from a remote PC). Here’s how they compare for PES 2021.
Option 1: CrossOver
CrossOver is a compatibility layer that lets you run Windows games directly on your Mac—no Boot Camp, no Windows license, no virtual machine. It translates Windows commands to macOS in real-time, so games run natively on your hardware.
How does PES 2021 perform?
PES 2021 runs excellently through CrossOver on Apple Silicon. It’s rated “Perfect” on AppleGamingWiki—matches play smoothly with stable frame rates. A MacBook Pro M1 with 16GB RAM handles the game without issues at high settings using CrossOver 25. Controller support works too, though you may need to disable hidraw for DualShock 4 controllers.
Quick reference:
- ✅ M1 Pro/M2/M3/M4 16GB+ — Smooth gameplay, high settings
- ✅ M1 16GB — Runs well, verified on CrossOver 25
- ⚠️ 8GB RAM Macs — May work but expect limitations
How to get started:
- Download CrossOver ($74/year, 14-day free trial)
- Install Steam through CrossOver
- Purchase and install eFootball PES 2021 Season Update
- Enable “High Resolution Mode” in CrossOver bottle settings (required for the game to run)
- Launch and play
Tips: The installation process can be slightly buggy—if it stalls, force cancel in CrossOver and launch the game manually from the installed folder. Note that PES 2021 was delisted from Steam in 2022, so you’ll need to already own it or find a key elsewhere.
Option 2: Whisky (Free Alternative)
If you’d rather not pay for CrossOver, Whisky offers similar functionality for free. It’s built on the same Wine technology that powers CrossOver, but it’s open-source and community-maintained.
Performance: Expect similar results to CrossOver—the underlying technology is the same. PES 2021 should run well through Whisky on Apple Silicon Macs with 16GB+ RAM.
The trade-off: Whisky requires more manual setup. You may need to configure bottle settings, install additional Windows components, and troubleshoot display issues yourself. CrossOver’s polish and the high-resolution mode toggle might be worth $74/year if you want a smoother setup experience.
How to get started:
- Download Whisky (free)
- Create a new bottle (Whisky’s term for a Windows environment)
- Install Steam inside the bottle
- Install eFootball PES 2021 through Steam
- Troubleshoot as needed (check the Whisky Discord for help)
Option 3: CloudDeck (Cloud Gaming)
If your Mac doesn’t have the horsepower for CrossOver, or you just want to skip the compatibility headaches, CloudDeck offers a completely different approach: cloud gaming.
Instead of running the game on your Mac, CloudDeck runs it on our high-performance servers and streams the video to your screen. Your Mac just needs to display the stream, so even an 8GB MacBook Air works perfectly.
Performance: 60 FPS at 1080p on our cloud servers—smooth matches with zero stuttering.
Best for:
- 8GB RAM Macs
- Players who don’t already own the game on Steam (CloudDeck supports alternative storefronts)
- Anyone who wants zero setup headaches
Requirements: Any Mac and a stable internet connection (15+ Mbps recommended).
How to get started:
- Sign up for CloudDeck ($19.99/month, cancel anytime)
- Connect using Moonlight or your browser
- Install eFootball PES 2021 from your game library
- Play immediately—no compatibility tweaks needed
Which Option Should You Choose?
| Your Situation | Best Choice |
|---|---|
| Powerful Mac (M1 Pro+, 16GB+), own it on Steam | CrossOver |
| Tech-savvy, prefer free solutions | Whisky |
| Any Mac, zero setup, instant play | CloudDeck |
FAQ
Why isn’t there a Mac version?
Konami focused on console and Windows platforms. PES 2021 uses DirectX, which doesn’t run natively on macOS.
Can I still buy PES 2021?
PES 2021 was delisted from Steam in 2022 when Konami transitioned to eFootball. You’ll need to already own it or find a Steam key from a third-party seller.
Do online modes work?
Konami shut down PES 2021’s online servers in 2022. Only offline modes (Master League, local multiplayer, exhibition) work now. This means CrossOver and Whisky are fully viable since there’s no anti-cheat to worry about.
Last updated: April 2026.
