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AutoCAD for Windows on a Mac with M1–M4 or Intel

AutoCAD for Mac exists, but the specialized toolsets and many plug-ins only work in AutoCAD for Windows. CrossDriver App installs AutoCAD for Windows on your Mac with Autodesk's own installer and activates it with your Autodesk account.

Download the CrossDriver App preview Versions with a ready-made setup

Every Pro feature is free during the preview, until December 31, 2026

AutoCAD

AutoCAD on a Mac today

AutoCAD for Mac lacks the specialized toolsets, Express Tools and many Windows plug-ins. If your workflow depends on them, you've needed a Windows PC or a virtual machine.

What you get with the Windows version

  • AutoCAD 2024, 2025, 2026 and 2027, installed with Autodesk's own installer
  • Sign-in with your Autodesk account; the subscription works as on Windows
  • 2D drafting, 3D visual styles and the ViewCube with hardware acceleration
  • Express Tools

Versions with a ready-made setup

Pick one in the Setup Center of CrossDriver App. It creates its own environment, installs the components the app needs and runs the official installer; you bring the installer and your license.

Autodesk AutoCAD 2027 Known issues

AutoCAD 2027 (64-bit), subscription (Autodesk account sign-in)

Downloads and installs AutoCAD 2027 with Autodesk's own installer, then activates it with your Autodesk account. Start page, drawing, 3D and the ViewCube work with hardware acceleration.

What you need Bring your own Autodesk subscription (or education license); AutoCAD asks you to sign in with your Autodesk account on first start.

Good to know
  • The first installer step is Autodesk's download tool. It downloads the complete AutoCAD 2027 installer (about 5 GB) into the Downloads folder: keep that folder. When it says "Installer created successfully", click "Open in folder" (not "Run Installer"); setup then continues on its own and you can close the folder window.
  • AutoCAD then installs without further questions, together with Autodesk Access and the latest update. This takes 10–30 minutes.
  • On first start AutoCAD opens Safari to sign in with your Autodesk account. After signing in, let Safari open CrossDriver: AutoCAD picks up the sign-in and activates.
  • On first start AutoCAD 2027 shows a profile window (industry and role). Fill it in or click Close; it doesn't affect drawing.
  • Hardware acceleration is on: CrossDriver reports an NVIDIA graphics card to AutoCAD (its certification list does not know Apple GPUs). 2D drafting, 3D visual styles and the ViewCube are GPU-accelerated.

Autodesk AutoCAD 2026 Known issues

AutoCAD 2026 (64-bit), subscription (Autodesk account sign-in)

Downloads and installs AutoCAD 2026 with Autodesk's own installer, then activates it with your Autodesk account. Start page, drawing, 3D and the ViewCube work with hardware acceleration.

What you need Bring your own Autodesk subscription (or education license); AutoCAD asks you to sign in with your Autodesk account on first start.

Good to know
  • The first installer step is Autodesk's download tool. It downloads the complete AutoCAD 2026 installer (about 5 GB) into the Downloads folder: keep that folder. When it says "Installer created successfully", click "Open in folder" (not "Run Installer"); setup then continues on its own and you can close the folder window.
  • AutoCAD then installs without further questions, together with Autodesk Access and the latest update. This takes 10–30 minutes.
  • On first start AutoCAD opens Safari to sign in with your Autodesk account. After signing in, let Safari open CrossDriver: AutoCAD picks up the sign-in and activates.
  • Hardware acceleration is on: CrossDriver reports an NVIDIA graphics card to AutoCAD (its certification list does not know Apple GPUs). 2D drafting, 3D visual styles and the ViewCube are GPU-accelerated.

Autodesk AutoCAD 2025 Known issues

AutoCAD 2025 (64-bit), subscription (Autodesk account sign-in)

Downloads and installs AutoCAD 2025 with Autodesk's own installer, then activates it with your Autodesk account. Start page, drawing, 3D and the ViewCube work with hardware acceleration.

What you need Bring your own Autodesk subscription (or education license); AutoCAD asks you to sign in with your Autodesk account on first start.

Good to know
  • The first installer step is Autodesk's download tool. It downloads the complete AutoCAD 2025 installer (about 5 GB) into the Downloads folder: keep that folder. When it says "Installer created successfully", click "Open in folder" (not "Run Installer"); setup then continues on its own and you can close the folder window.
  • AutoCAD then installs without further questions, together with Autodesk Access and the latest update. This takes 10–30 minutes.
  • On first start AutoCAD opens Safari to sign in with your Autodesk account. After signing in, let Safari open CrossDriver: AutoCAD picks up the sign-in and activates.
  • Hardware acceleration is on: CrossDriver reports an NVIDIA graphics card to AutoCAD (its certification list does not know Apple GPUs). 2D drafting, 3D visual styles and the ViewCube are GPU-accelerated.

Autodesk AutoCAD 2024 Known issues

AutoCAD 2024 (64-bit), subscription (Autodesk account sign-in)

Downloads and installs AutoCAD 2024 with Autodesk's own installer, then activates it with your Autodesk account. Start page, drawing, 3D and the ViewCube work with hardware acceleration.

What you need Bring your own Autodesk subscription (or education license); AutoCAD asks you to sign in with your Autodesk account on first start.

Good to know
  • The first installer step is Autodesk's download tool. It downloads the complete AutoCAD 2024 installer (about 5 GB) into the Downloads folder: keep that folder. When it says "Installer created successfully", click "Open in folder" (not "Run Installer"); setup then continues on its own and you can close the folder window.
  • AutoCAD then installs without further questions, together with Autodesk Access and the latest update. This takes 10–30 minutes.
  • On first start AutoCAD opens Safari to sign in with your Autodesk account. After signing in, let Safari open CrossDriver: AutoCAD picks up the sign-in and activates.
  • Hardware acceleration is on: CrossDriver reports an NVIDIA graphics card to AutoCAD (its certification list does not know Apple GPUs). 2D drafting, 3D visual styles and the ViewCube are GPU-accelerated.

The labels are the ones the App shows. Experimental: works in our tests but not yet verified end to end on every Mac. Known issues: works, with the limits listed.

How to run AutoCAD on your Mac

  1. Download CrossDriver AppDrag it into Applications like any other Mac app. The preview includes every Pro feature for free, and the free edition needs no account.
  2. Drag in the installerOr pick an app in the Setup Center. CrossDriver App gets the runtimes, fonts and settings it needs ready for you.
  3. Open it like a Mac appDouble-click and go. Add it to Applications, and from then on open it from Launchpad or Spotlight.

Questions about AutoCAD on a Mac

Can a Mac run AutoCAD for Windows?

Yes. CrossDriver App installs AutoCAD 2024 to 2027 for Windows on your Mac with Autodesk's own installer, and it activates with your Autodesk account.

AutoCAD for Mac or AutoCAD for Windows: what's the difference?

AutoCAD for Mac covers core drafting, but the specialized toolsets, Express Tools and many plug-ins are Windows only. Running the Windows version gives you those.

What's still being tested?

Specialized toolsets, Windows plug-ins and VBA macros are being tested now. Try your own with the free edition before buying.

How does sign-in work?

On first start AutoCAD opens Safari to sign in with your Autodesk account; after signing in, let Safari open CrossDriver and AutoCAD activates.

Try AutoCAD on your Mac

Every Pro feature is free during the preview, until December 31, 2026

Download the CrossDriver App preview

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