A quick manual switch
Enable Game Mode from the companion when you want a direct control close at hand.
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Widget Foundry
Game Mode CompanionGame Mode control for macOSA small Mac utility
Game Mode,
within reach.
A simple companion for Apple’s built-in Game Mode. Keep a manual switch, a global shortcut, and the settings you care about close at hand.
macOS 15 (Sequoia)+ No signups or personal info collected
Buy · £3.99One-time purchase (no subscriptions 🙂).
Go to checkout to see the latest USD, EUR, and other regional pricing.
Go to checkout to see the latest USD, EUR, and other regional pricing.
Straightforward controls
The useful bits, close by.
One global shortcut
Use ⇧⌘G to enable Game Mode without first opening the companion window.
Set it up your way
Choose whether the menu bar icon appears, hide the Dock icon, launch at login, and set notification sounds.
CrossOver support in beta
An optional beta setting lets Game Mode Companion work alongside CrossOver.
Why?
Some games need a manual nudge.
For a supported native Mac game, macOS turns Game Mode on automatically when it enters full screen. Some of these games also appear in Game Center, but full-screen support—not the Game Center listing—is what matters.
Games launched through CrossOver, and some Steam games, may not be recognised by macOS as supported titles. Game Mode Companion gives you a manual switch and a global shortcut for those sessions.
Turning Game Mode off in the companion restores macOS’s default Automatic setting; it doesn’t leave the feature permanently disabled. A supported native game can turn it on automatically again the next time it enters full screen.
The macOS feature
Game Mode is built into macOS. The companion makes it easier to reach.
On supported Macs, Apple’s Game Mode gives the active game priority for CPU and GPU resources, and increases Bluetooth sampling for wireless accessories such as controllers and AirPods. That can help make frame rates more consistent and reduce input and audio latency.
Game Mode Companion adds convenient controls around that built-in macOS feature; it doesn’t replace or provide the system-level optimisations.
Mac Game Mode requires Apple silicon, macOS Sonoma 14 or later, and a game that supports macOS full-screen mode.
Learn about Game Mode from AppleA few useful answers
Frequently asked questions.
Why isn’t Game Mode Companion on the App Store?
The controls this app needs aren’t available to apps running inside the Mac App Store sandbox. That means Game Mode Companion can’t be distributed through the App Store.
Does Game Mode Companion turn Game Mode on automatically?
No. macOS automatically enables Game Mode for supported games when they enter full screen. The companion gives you a manual switch and shortcut for games macOS doesn’t recognise.
Will turning it off disable Game Mode permanently?
No. Turning it off in the companion restores macOS’s Automatic setting. macOS can enable Game Mode again when a supported game enters full screen.
What do I need to use Game Mode?
Game Mode requires an Apple silicon Mac running macOS Sonoma 14 or later, plus a game that supports macOS full-screen mode.