Once you've installed XIV on Mac, use this guide to set up optimal graphics settings for the game.
The settings below reproduce quality equivalent to the "High (Desktop)" preset while maintaining a high frame rate.
Approximate performance values for various systems can be found in the Compatibility List.
Before working down this list, please ensure that the "Standard (Laptop)" or "Standard (Mac)" presets are selected.
UI Resolution
- Value: High (4K)
- Graphical Impact: High
Use low-detail models on distant objects. (LOD)
- Value: Off (Unchecked)
- Graphical Impact: High
Real-time Reflections
- Value: Standard
- Notes: Users on M1 Max or better can set this to Maximum to match the quality of the "Maximum" preset.
- Graphical Impact: Medium
Edge Smoothing
- Value: TSCMAA + Camera Jitter
- Graphical Impact: Medium
Grass Quality
- Value: High
- Graphical Impact: Medium
Parallax Occlusion
- Value: High
- Graphical Impact: Medium
Tessellation
- Value: Normal (no change)
- Notes: Settings above Normal are not compatible with XIV on Mac.
Shadows
- Value: Display for all categories
- Graphical Impact: High
Use low-detail models on shadows
- Value: Off (Unchecked)
- Graphical Impact: Medium
Shadow Cascading
- Value: Best
- Graphical Impact: Strong
Shadow Softening
- Value: Strong
- Graphical Impact: Medium
Texture Detail
- Texture Resolution: High
- Texture Filtering: Anisotropic
- Anisotropic Filtering: x16
- Graphical Impact: High
Movement Physics
- Value: Full for all options
- Graphical Impact: Low
Screen Space Ambient Occlusion
- Value: GTAO: Standard
- Notes: HBAO is not supported and will cause black screen issues as described above.
- Graphical Impact: Medium
Character and Object Quantity
- Value: Normal
- Notes: Located in the "Other Settings" tab.
- Graphical Impact: N/A
XIV on Mac Optimised:
Maximum Preset:
Standard (Laptop) Preset:
