Is SolidWorks available natively on macOS operating systems?

ByCADbrief Staff

Short Answer

No, SolidWorks is not available natively on macOS operating systems. The most common professional method is to run SolidWorks on Windows through Boot Camp on supported Intel Macs, then launch files with Open. This gives the best compatibility. Limitation: Apple Silicon Macs do not support Boot Camp.

What You Need to Know Before

Warning: SolidWorks is officially built for Windows, so macOS users often hit graphics-driver issues, unstable add-ins, or unsupported RealView behavior when using virtualization. On newer Macs, the bigger hidden risk is that many enterprise PDM and licensing workflows may not work reliably in non-native Windows setups.

How to Open SolidWorks on a Mac the Common Professional Way

  • Command: Open

  • Shortcut: Ctrl+O

  • Quick Steps:

    1. Install Windows on an Intel Mac using Boot Camp Assistant in macOS, then install a supported version of SolidWorks inside Windows.
    2. Launch SolidWorks in Windows and go to File > Open.
    3. In the Open dialog, enable the appropriate Files of type filter, then open the part, assembly, or drawing and verify options like Read-only if needed.

Variables & Settings

  • Key Setting: Boot Camp partition size and certified graphics driver in Windows

  • Expert Setting: A larger Windows partition helps avoid update and temp-file failures during SolidWorks installs, while using a supported GPU driver improves display stability, OpenGL behavior, and assembly performance.

Why it Fails

  • Cause 1 (Geometry): Large assemblies or graphics-heavy models can display incorrectly or lag in virtualized environments because SolidWorks relies on Windows-certified GPU acceleration.
  • Cause 2 (layers/Locks): Company PDM vault permissions, network policies, or antivirus controls inside the Windows environment can block file open, check-in, or add-in loading.
  • Cause 3 (Command/Logic): SolidWorks has no native macOS build, so macOS-only execution is not a valid workflow; virtualization may start the software but still leave unsupported features or unstable performance.

Quick Fix & Best Practice

  • Quick Fix: Use Boot Camp on an Intel Mac, then install a supported Windows version and open files with File > Open instead of relying on virtualization.
  • Manager’s Verdict: For professional production work, use a certified Windows workstation whenever possible. Use a Mac only if you have an Intel model with Boot Camp and your IT team has validated the full SolidWorks workflow.

FAQ

Can SolidWorks run on Apple Silicon Macs?

Not natively, and Boot Camp is not supported on Apple Silicon Macs.

Is virtualization a good option for SolidWorks on Mac?

Only for light testing or basic files; it is not the preferred production setup.

What is the best Mac-based workaround for SolidWorks?

Running Windows through Boot Camp on an Intel Mac is the most common professional workaround.

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