CrossOver
CrossOver is a macOS compatibility app that lets you run many Windows applications and games without installing Windows.
What is CrossOver?
CrossOver is a macOS compatibility tool for running many Windows applications and games on a Mac without installing a separate copy of Windows. It is designed for people who need specific Windows software for work, older programs, or PC games but want to stay in the Mac environment. The app organizes installs into isolated bottles, which act like separate Windows environments for different programs. CrossOver can help with common use cases such as launching Windows productivity apps, testing software, or playing supported Windows games with desktop-style integration on macOS. It also includes tools for installing listed apps, managing bottles, exporting or restoring bottle archives, and checking compatibility information for supported software. CodeWeavers publishes CrossOver for Mac and Linux, with the Mac version supporting both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs on supported macOS releases.
Key features
- Run many Windows apps on macOS without installing Windows
- Install software into separate bottles for isolation and easier management
- Launch supported Windows programs from a Mac-style desktop workflow
- Set up listed applications with guided install details
- Import and export bottle archives for backup or transfer
- Check compatibility information for apps and games before or after installing
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Safety overview
Status: Safe
CrossOver is legitimate compatibility software for running Windows programs on a Mac. Its file access, app installation behavior, and update checks are consistent with that purpose. Because it can install and run Windows software inside bottles, the main practical risk comes from the Windows apps you choose to install, not from CrossOver itself. Use software from trusted sources, and review any additional permissions requested by the Windows apps you run through it.
Recommendation: Keep CrossOver if you use Windows apps or games on your Mac, or if you rely on existing bottles and installed programs. Remove it if you no longer need that workflow, but expect any Windows apps managed through CrossOver and their bottle data to stop working unless you back them up first.
Common paths
/Applications/CrossOver.app~/Applications/CrossOver.app~/CrossOver.app/Contents/SharedSupport/CrossOver
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