How to play Zenless Zone Zero on macOS (M-series & Intel)

Zenless Zone Zero is out, and unsurprisingly, there’s no official macOS version. However, don’t fret, as those on M-series devices have a super easy way to install the game.

There are a few caveats and annoyances, but Zenless Zone Zero runs just fine on my MacBook Pro (2021, M1 Pro, 16GB RAM).

However, we had issues getting our Xbox Series controller picked up, so your mileage will vary.

How to install Zenless Zone Zero on M-series MacBooks

Install PlayCover

1. Head to PlayCover’s website
2. Download the latest build
3. Double-click and drag into the Applications folder
4. You’ll need to allow it through your security settings
5. Try to open the app and let it warn you about the security settings, press OK
6. Use Spotlight (CMD+Space) and search for Security
7. Head into the settings it presents and scroll down
8. You’ll see a message about allowing PlayCover to run. Allow it
9. PlayCover should now start up and be ready to go

Now, just like with retro emulation, we can’t share a direct link to the files. While ZZZ is free, other files hosted might not be. If you search “Zenless Zone Zero IPA,” you’ll find it.

Install Zenless Zone Zero

After you have the file, drag or import it through the onscreen menu to install the game. It’ll take a few minutes. Then, launch the game and allow the permissions.

Essentially, we’re just emulating the iOS and iPadOS versions of the game. This is a built-in feature with M-series laptops that MiHoYo could take advantage of by allowing the download in Apple’s App Store. 

They already allow Honkai Third Impact, so the missing trio of Genshin Impact, Star Rail, and now ZZZ is odd.

Zenless Zone Zero crashes unexpectedly on PlayCover

The app can be temperamental at times and might not relaunch after shutting it down.

The easiest way to get around this is to simply re-add the app to the launcher. It’ll simply replace part of the app data but hold all the 19GB install files and your logins.

Alternate methods: Game Porting Toolkit & Crossover

We recommend following our Game Porting Toolkit guide if you’re after a more “PC”-like experience with the game. This will take you through the developer tools, install your choice of launcher, and test the game to see if it’s stable.

We haven’t recommended it today, as the game looks just fine if you mess about with the resolution settings. We’ve been playing on PlayCover’s iPad Pro (12.9-inch, 5th gen) settings, and outside a few unexpected crashes, again, it’s been just fine.

Zenless Zone Zero on CrossOver

CrossOver is another alternative method. However, it requires payment after a two-week free trial. To play Zenless Zone Zero, you will require the latest version (as of writing, 24.0.4). We tested this on an old install and found it to either crash repeatedly or not work at all.

It emulates the Windows environment similar to Valve’s Proton or Wine but with a few tricks. The software will let you tap into Apple’s Game Porting Toolkit, turning on Direct3D emulation and M-Sync.

Apple’s tools have made playing a tonne of games far easier, but it’s not officially supported. There’s also the fact that the emulation and translation aren’t perfect.

Performance on M1 Pro or below can be a bit choppy. We’d suspect that anything on an M2 Pro or above shouldn’t have much of a problem brute-forcing good performance. 

If you want to do this manually – and for free – the Game Porting Toolkit guide will be the way to go.

However, CrossOver’s 14-day free trial is more than enough time to either commit or quit the gacha hell that is Zenless Zone Zero.

How to install Zenless Zone Zero via CrossOver

1. First, grab the installer from the website
2. Move this to its own folder, we suggest a new folder in Documents called ZZZ
3. Next, install Crossover by downloading the free trial or buying a license
4. Launch Crossover, and we need to create a new “bottle” as Windows 10 64-bit
   • This is an isolated and emulated instance of Windows (or Linux) that runs through your Mac’s hardware
5. After the bottle is set up, head to it in the Crossover menu
6. On the right-hand side menu, scroll down and toggle on “D3DMetal” and “MSync”
7. You’ll be prompted to reboot the emulated system, wait a few seconds, and then move on
8. Click “Install” in the bottom corner and then “Install an unlisted application” in the next screen’s top-right-hand corner
9. Press “Edit” on the first option, navigate to the ZZZ installer and open it
10. Then, choose the bottle we just created to install it to
11. At some point during this process, you should see the ZZZ and HoYoverse installer pop up, accept any permissions, and proceed
12. Let it finish installing, and eventually, you’ll be prompted to launch the game itself
    • If your program crashes after the installer looks like it’s finished installing but Crossover still has half a blue bar to go, restart the program and launch the game

Install on Intel macOS devices

For Intel devices, you’ll have a few options. There’s Bootcamp, which will dual-boot Windows on your device.

For this, you’ll need to make a Windows Installation USB, which we have a guide on how to do. Next, load up Bootcamp (Spotlight search it with CMD+Space) and follow the installation instructions. This will guide you through partitioning your drive to fit both operating systems simultaneously.

We recommend you do this on your internal drive and have enough room for at least 256GB.

Once installed, simply download Zenless Zone Zero via the Epic Store or HoYo Player.

macOS doesn’t support wired Xbox controllers

If you’re struggling to get Zenless Zone Zero to pick up your controller using any of the methods mentioned, you need to use Bluetooth. Apple doesn’t ship or support drivers for wired Xbox controllers. Switching to wireless or another controller will solve your issue.