The February 2025 Steam Hardware & Software Survey results have revealed some significant changes in operating system usage among Steam users. Interestingly, macOS usage has decreased by 0.43%, bringing the total number of users to just 0.97%, making it the least used operating system among Steam users worldwide.
This decrease in macOS usage looks like part of a broader trend, with Windows increasing its share to 97.58% and Linux sliding down to 1.45%.
This consistent decline has been evident for a while, pointing to a long-term trend rather than a temporary dip. Several elements have contributed to this downturn, including macOS's shortcomings in supporting video games.
The limited number of games optimized for the platform and Apple's lack of focus on gaming have contributed to the slump. Additionally, the survey reported a 0.91% drop in the Intel CPU market share for macOS, with Intel's share decreasing from 21.06% in January to 20.15% in February and Apple Silicon’s share increasing to 79.82%.
This reduction shows a more general trend of the reduced engagement among macOS gamers around the globe.
The survey also provided insights into the hardware of macOS users:
MacBook Pro: 28.20% of macOS users, a 0.35% reduction.
MacBook Air: 17.83% of macOS users, down by 0.70%.
MacBook Air (M2, 2022, 14,2): 9.13% of macOS users, a 0.53% reduction.
MacBook Air (13-inch, M3, 2024, 15,12): 5.19% of macOS users, a slight 0.14% increase.
The decline of macOS on Steam highlights Windows' dominance in PC gaming. As of February 2025, macOS users make up less than 1% of Steam's user base, while Windows users are the majority.
Despite Apple's silicon advancements, improving macOS for gaming remains overlooked. This trend raises concerns about macOS's future in gaming on platforms like Steam.
macOS VRAM trends on the left, combined VRAM trends of Windows, macOS and Linux on the right.
Moreover, there have been significant shifts in operating system and RAM usage. If recent reports are to be believed, these changes might be linked to a sudden influx of users from China.
More Info from the Survey Results
The February 2025 Steam Hardware & Software Survey reported significant changes in the operating system landscape, with Linux usage continuing to decline. Even with efforts to improve Linux gaming support and Valve's initiatives like the Steam Deck and the Proton compatibility layer, the platform has yet to make a substantial impact on Steam's user base.
The data reveals that Linux usage on Steam sits at just 1.5% of the total user base. Despite some growth in the past, Linux has not gained significant traction within the broader gaming community.
This can be attributed to limited game compatibility, driver issues, and a lack of support from major game developers. Valve has worked to enhance Linux gaming with tools like Proton, enabling Windows games to run on Linux. But, despite these efforts, Linux gaming is still a small segment compared to Windows.
Most major games and new releases are optimized for Windows, leaving Linux users with limited choices and a more tedious gaming experience.
Looking Ahead
As Valve pushes Linux gaming with Steam Deck, SteamOS and Proton, future survey results might see an uptick in Linux's market share. But we will have to wait for a bit before that happens.
💬 For now, why don't you share your thoughts on this topic in the comments below?
Here's why you should opt for It's FOSS Plus Membership:
- Even the biggest players in the Linux world don't care about desktop Linux users. We do. - We don't put informational content behind paywall. Your support keeps it open for everyone. Think of it like 'pay it forward'. - Don't like ads? With the Plus membership, you get an ad-free reading experience. - When millions of AI-generated content is being published daily, you read and learn from real human Linux users. - It costs just $2 a month, less than the cost of your favorite burger.
Become a Plus Member today and join over 300 people in supporting our work.
Sourav Rudra
