Revit is undoubtedly one of the most popular and powerful BIM tools among design professionals in the AEC industry.
It’s been around for more than two decades, and since its launch, users have consistently requested a macOS version.
Yet, as of today, Autodesk Revit remains a Windows-only application.
The good news?
You can still run Revit on a Mac even though it’s officially Windows-only. Mac-based studios do it every day using the four proven methods we’ll discuss below. The key is choosing the right setup, so Revit runs smoothly, stays stable, and doesn’t slow down your workflow.
But first, why is Revit not on Mac?
The reason is simple. Revit was built on a code base that only works on Windows.
Here’s a summary of Autodesk’s official statement about this issue:
On November 16, 2022, the Revit team commented on this directly in an official product board post. They were responding to a highly upvoted thread on the Autodesk forums where users were asking for a native Mac version of Revit. The team stated:
“We are not planning on creating a Mac native version of Revit.”
According to Revit’s production team, they do recognize the demand for it, but the return on investment doesn’t justify its development. If they were to allocate resources and time to creating a native Mac version of the software, it would impact their ability to deliver new functionalities, enhancements, and even fixes for the current Windows version.
Since Autodesk isn’t building a Mac version, your only path is to use one of the proven workarounds below.
Here are the most reliable ways to run Autodesk Revit on a Mac:
Boot Camp Assistant is a native macOS tool that can be used to install Windows on Intel-based Macs. After setup, users can switch between macOS and Windows on startup.
Keep in mind, Boot Camp only works on Intel-based Macs. Newer Apple Silicon MacBooks (M1, M2, M3) no longer support it. If you own one of these newer devices, you’ll need to use one of the other methods below.
1. Change secure boot setting to “Full Security”
By default, your Mac’s Secure Boot Settings will be set to Full Security. If at any time in the past you changed to No Security or Medium Security, change it back to Full Security before installing Windows. You can use any security modes once Windows is installed.
2. Create a Windows partition
3. Format the Windows partition
4. Finish Windows installation and install drivers
5. Download and install Revit
Cloud desktop services allow you to access remote Windows workstations hosted on powerful servers with high-end hardware, perfect for modelling and rendering work.
These services stream a full Windows environment to your Mac, giving you access to high-performance hardware without owning it. Some are even designed specifically for AEC professionals and come pre-optimized for Revit users. V2Cloud is one such option.
This method is ideal for you if:
Depending on project needs, you can also upgrade GPU, RAM, and CPU resources anytime, offering both flexibility and scalability. With a cloud-based setup, you can expect performance to be on par with using Revit directly with your Mac or even exceed your local setups’ specs.
Here’s the typical setup process:
The key advantage of going the cloud-based route is convenience. You can launch your Revit workspace from virtually any device, not worry about hardware constraints, and be free to collaborate with your teammates effortlessly.
Of course, this type of convenience comes with a price. Renting a cloud PC is not cheap; you’ll also have to bring your own Windows and Revit license.
Virtualization software like Parallels, VMWare Fusion, or Oracle VirtualBox allows you to run Windows and even other operating systems on your Mac. The difference between using a virtual machine and the Boot Camp method is that you won’t need to restart your device whenever you want to switch between macOS and Windows. A VM will let you run macOS and Windows side by side — making it a convenient solution for multitasking.
Among these options, Parallels stands out for its ease of setup with Revit, smoother performance, and most importantly, official support from Autodesk for running Revit.
Pros:
Cons:
In short, Parallels offers a balanced mix of performance and convenience. While it may not match a high-end Windows workstation in raw power, it’s an excellent solution for architects and designers who prefer the Mac ecosystem. Parallels allows users to run Revit seamlessly without leaving macOS.
This method works best if you already have a Windows workstation and a reliable internet connection. This is ideal for users who primarily work on a Mac but need to access Revit occasionally without switching devices.
Instead of running Revit directly on your Mac, you can remotely control your Windows PC where Revit is installed using remote access tools. The most common option is the Windows App, which lets you securely connect to your Windows workstation from your macOS. AnyDesk or TeamViewer are also good alternatives.
This setup is cost-effective and quick to implement, but performance depends heavily on your internet speed and latency. For simple edits and model reviews, it can be convenient, but for rendering or large projects, it may not be practical due to input delay and limited graphical responsiveness.
You can find Microsoft’s official documentation for setup under this link.
Revit on Mac won’t match the performance of a native Windows machine, especially if you’re using a VM or a cloud workstation. Heavy models can slow things down, so to keep your workflow smooth and avoid headaches, here are a few practical tips that help a lot.
If your project starts lagging, divide it into smaller linked models. You can divide your project by discipline or building component — such as architectural, structural, mechanical, topography, external works, and interiors.
This method reduces lag, improves collaboration, and minimizes file corruption, which is especially useful when running Revit on a Mac through a VM or cloud setup where performance is limited.
Rendering is a resource-heavy task in Revit, and finding a renderer that works well on a macOS can be just as challenging. A practical workaround is to export your models and use browser-based rendering tools. One good example is MyArchitectAI. It runs entirely online, delivers realistic visuals in seconds, and frees up your Mac’s resources so you can focus on modeling and design.
For smoother performance, store files on an SSD, close unused background apps, and allocate enough RAM (ideally 16 GB or more). Regularly clean up Revit’s temporary and backup files to prevent slowdowns.
Running Revit on a Mac is possible, but it won’t perform as well as it does on a dedicated Windows machine.
Compared to using a Windows workstation, you can expect slower rendering times, longer file loads, and occasional interface lag in virtualized or remote environments. This is especially true when you’re dealing with complex projects, with heavier geometry, linked models, and rich use of textures and materials.
This happens because Revit’s rendering engines are Windows-based and highly GPU-intensive. As a result, you may struggle to achieve the same level of rendering quality and visualization performance on a Mac.
This is where modern browser-based tools come in. Running entirely online, these tools bypass hardware limitations and work on any device, including Mac.
MyArchitectAI, for example, can deliver realistic, high-quality renders comparable to those from traditional rendering tools, but it runs fully in the cloud. No installs, no hardware requirements, and it works on any device.
Beyond performance, here are other limitations to keep in mind:
Can you use Revit on Mac? Yes, it’s not impossible, but it’s not straightforward either.
Here’s a quick breakdown to help you decide which method works best for your workflow:
One of the easiest ways to stay efficient on macOS is to offload heavy tasks, such as rendering, to dedicated third-party tools. For instance, MyArchitectAI, a browser-based AI rendering tool, lets you produce high-quality visuals without straining your local setup. It can produce renders in less than 15 seconds, all on the cloud. This can save both time and processing power while keeping your workflow efficient.
Yes, you can use Boot Camp Assistant to remove Windows from your macOS device. Open Boot Camp and select “Remove Windows 10 or later version” when asked what task to perform. Follow on-screen instructions.
Yes, running Revit on Mac will affect performance, especially when using virtual machines or cloud-based solutions, since there will be multiple layers of emulation, in other words,
Technically, yes, using Boot Camp Assistant, virtualization software, or a cloud setup. However, since it’s a GPU-intensive process, expect performance drops, interface lag, and poor render quality, especially when using a VM or cloud setup. For a more practical workflow, use a browser-based renderer like MyArchitectAI that runs entirely online and produces realistic visuals in seconds. Read our detailed guide on how to render in Revit to learn more.
As of this article’s publication, Autodesk has confirmed they aren’t planning a native Revit for Mac version, citing budget and resource limitations.
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