How to Play It Takes Two on Mac (Best Options Compared)
- Sven Frese
- Games
- March 25, 2025
It Takes Two won Game of the Year for a reason—it’s one of the most inventive, heartfelt co-op experiences ever made, constantly reinventing itself across every chapter. Playing as a couple turned into dolls trying to fix their marriage, you’ll solve puzzles, battle bosses, and laugh through genuinely creative gameplay. Hazelight didn’t release a Mac version, but that won’t stop you.
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 It Takes Two.
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 It Takes Two perform?
It Takes Two runs beautifully on Apple Silicon through CrossOver. An M1 Max with 64GB delivers an impressive 90 FPS at Medium settings with Ultra textures—silky smooth for co-op action. Mid-range setups like the M1 Pro with 16GB manage 55 FPS at Medium settings, which is plenty for the game’s whimsical art style. Even an M1 Air with 16GB hits 40 FPS at Low settings—playable, though you’ll notice some dips during busier sequences.
Quick reference:
- ✅ M1 Max 64GB — 90 FPS, Medium/Ultra textures
- ✅ M1 Pro 16GB — 55 FPS, Medium settings
- ⚠️ M1 Air 16GB — 40 FPS, Low settings
- ❌ 8GB RAM Macs — Struggles with co-op performance
How to get started:
- Download CrossOver ($74/year, 14-day free trial)
- Install Steam through CrossOver
- Purchase and install It Takes Two
- Use Medium settings for smooth co-op gameplay
Tips: Both players can use MacBooks—online co-op works great through CrossOver.
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.
The trade-off: Whisky requires more manual setup. You may need to install additional Windows components, troubleshoot shader compilation issues, and tweak settings yourself. It’s a great option if you’re comfortable with technical tinkering, but CrossOver’s polish might be worth $74/year if you value convenience.
How to get started:
- Download Whisky (free)
- Create a new “bottle” (Whisky’s term for a Windows environment)
- Install Steam inside the bottle
- Install It Takes Two 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, High settings (runs on our cloud servers).
Best for:
- 8GB RAM Macs
- Macs with limited storage (game needs 50GB locally)
- 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 It Takes Two from your Steam library
- Play immediately—no compatibility tweaks needed
Which Option Should You Choose?
| Your Situation | Best Choice |
|---|---|
| Powerful Mac (M1 Pro+), want best performance | CrossOver |
| Tech-savvy, prefer free solutions | Whisky |
| Any Mac, want it to just work | CloudDeck |
FAQ
Why isn’t there a Mac version?
Hazelight Studios never ported it. Most Windows games use DirectX, which doesn’t run natively on macOS.
Can I use my Steam saves?
Yes—all three options work with Steam Cloud saves.
Can my co-op partner also play on Mac?
Yes! Online co-op works perfectly. Only one person needs to own the game—your partner can use the Friend’s Pass.
Last updated: March 2026.
