Help Center

What is MacWrap?

A macOS app that turns Windows programs (.exe) into native Mac apps: their own icon, double-click to launch, no terminal. Under the hood it uses a compatibility layer (Wine), but you never see it.

Is it legal and safe?

Yes. MacWrap wraps software you already own and are licensed to use, we don't distribute third-party apps. Your files never leave your Mac; packaging happens locally.

Why don't some apps work?

No compatibility layer runs everything, and anyone who says otherwise is lying. That's why MacWrap analyzes each app and tells you its tier up front:

Runs great Win32 / classic .NET / GDI · Runs with a recipe needs tweaks we apply · Partial heavy Direct2D/3D · Not yet modern WinRT, drivers, anti-cheat

Can I play my Epic Games library on Mac?

Yes. Connect your Epic account in MacWrap and it lists your games, including Epic's free weekly giveaways. It downloads the Windows version and wraps it into a playable app using Apple's Game Porting Toolkit. Whether each game runs depends on the game (see below), and MacWrap tells you up front.

Which games actually work?

Play single-player DirectX 11/12 games without anti-cheat, The Witcher 3, Hogwarts Legacy, GTA V (story mode), A Plague Tale, ROBOBEAT and many more. Don't play online games with kernel anti-cheat (Fortnite, Fall Guys, Rocket League online). MacWrap flags those as "Not playable" before you download a single byte.

Why won't Fortnite (or other online games) run?

Kernel-level anti-cheat (Easy Anti-Cheat, BattlEye) hooks into Windows internals that don't exist under a compatibility layer. There's no workaround, not in MacWrap, CrossOver, or Whisky. We mark these clearly so you never waste a download.

Are the free weekly Epic games included?

Yes, once you claim a free game on epicgames.com it's in your library permanently, and MacWrap can download and wrap it like any other. Many AAA titles have been Epic freebies, so you can build a Mac game library at no cost.

Is it legal? Am I pirating?

No. MacWrap uses Legendary, the open-source client that talks to Epic's own official API. You download games you already own, with your own account, nothing leaves your Mac and no DRM is bypassed.

The game stutters at first, is my Mac too weak?

Usually not. Many games (especially Unreal Engine titles) compile their shaders on first play, causing brief stutters, then cache them so later sessions are smoother. Lowering in-game graphics settings also helps, since DirectX is being translated to Apple's Metal in real time. For the best performance, install Apple's free Game Porting Toolkit.

What's included in the free plan?

Wrap any .exe into a native app, with generic compatibility (which already covers most classic software) and the honest compatibility analysis. Free forever.

What does Premium unlock?

The auto-applied curated recipes (that make tricky software work), their updates (so things keep working when an app changes), and support. It's a subscription to the whole service, not to a single app.

How do I subscribe or cancel?

From the app: ⚙️ → Subscribe to Premium. Payment is processed by Lemon Squeezy. Cancel anytime; you keep access until the end of the paid period.

How do I request a recipe for my app?

In the app: ⚙️ → Request a recipe. The most-requested apps are the ones we build first, your request shapes our roadmap.

What if my app can't be made to work?

We'll tell you honestly. Some apps (modern WinRT, anti-cheat, drivers) aren't possible today with available technology, we mark them Not yet and notify you if that changes. Since Premium is a subscription to the whole catalog, you still get every other recipe.

macOS says it "cannot verify MacWrap is free of malware"

That is expected. MacWrap is not notarized by Apple yet (notarization has a yearly developer fee I will pay once the project grows), so macOS shows this for any app it hasn't scanned. It is not a sign anything is wrong. To open it: right-click the app → Open, then click Open in the dialog. If it still won't open, go to System Settings → Privacy & Security and click "Open Anyway". You only do this once. If you'd rather verify what's inside, the modified Wine source is public on GitHub.

The same warning, but for apps I wrap myself

Same thing, and the same fix: right-click → Open the first time. Wrapped apps are signed locally on your Mac (ad-hoc), not notarized, so macOS treats them like any app from outside the App Store.

How do I get help?

First, search here or check the app's compatibility analysis, that answers most questions instantly. If you still need help, email us and we'll reply within 2-3 business days.