Utilities macOS
DOSBox-X for macOS
Run DOS applications and games on a Mac with DOSBox-X, a free, open-source emulator with configurable hardware and support for DOS-based Windows.
- Operating system
- macOS; publisher lists 10.15+ generally and 12+ for SDL2
- Architecture
- ARM64 (Apple silicon)
- Download package
- Portable ZIP with SDL1 and SDL2 .app bundles
Selected download is for Apple silicon. Intel Macs require the separate x86_64 archive. The publisher documents macOS 12+ for SDL2.
Link checked · Download guidance
What is DOSBox-X?
DOSBox-X recreates a DOS-era PC so you can use older applications and games on a Mac. Its focus extends beyond games to legacy business software, DOS development and DOS-based Windows environments such as Windows 3.x, 95, 98 and Me. Graphical menus and a built-in configuration tool let you adjust the emulated machine without relying entirely on a configuration file.
The linked download is the publisher’s ARM64 ZIP package for Apple silicon Macs, not the separate Intel build. The publisher documents macOS 10.15 or later for its macOS packages generally, but SDL2 builds require macOS 12 or later. The archive contains separate SDL1 and SDL2 application folders.
Expect to adjust settings for some older programs rather than assume every title runs with the defaults. DOSBox-X is not intended for Windows Vista or newer guests, and the publisher warns that it does not guarantee isolation of guest software from the host. The screenshot is a historical publisher example of the shared configuration tool on Windows, not a capture of the current macOS release.
What it offers
- Run DOS applications and games, including software for DOS/V and NEC PC-98 systems.
- Configure the emulated machine through graphical menus and a built-in configuration tool.
- Save and load emulation states.
- Use disk images, clipboard text transfer and emulated printing features.
- Emulate DOS-based Windows environments, including Windows 3.x and Windows 9x/Me.
Good to know
- Some DOS applications and games require changes to the default configuration.
- The SDL2 build requires macOS 12 or later; this download is ARM64, while Intel Macs need the separate x86_64 package.
- DOSBox-X does not guarantee guest-software containment and should not be treated as a security sandbox.
- Windows Vista and later guest emulation is outside the project’s goals.
Product images
Sources
References used for this listing. Retrieval dates do not indicate hands-on testing.
- DOSBox-X for Mac - Download ↗Retrieved
- DOSBox-X — official homepage and macOS release links ↗Retrieved
- DOSBox-X Installation and Released Packages — macOS Packages (Portable) ↗Retrieved
- DOSBox-X README — features, licensing and security comments ↗Retrieved
- DOSBox-X 2026.10.01 Release Notes ↗Retrieved
- About DOSBox-X — goals and non-goals ↗Retrieved
More in utilities
View category ↗
1.1.1.1 with WARP 2026.8.2115.0
Encrypt traffic from your Mac to Cloudflare’s network with WARP, or use DNS-only mode for encrypted DNS queries to the 1.1.1.1 resolver.
1.1.1.1 with WARP 2026.8.2115.0
Encrypt traffic between your Windows PC and Cloudflare, or use encrypted DNS only, with the free 1.1.1.1 with WARP app.
3uTools 9.12.005
Manage iPhone and iPad photos, music, apps and backups from Windows with 3uTools, a free utility that also includes device checks and firmware flashing tools.