Heroes 3.5: In the Wake of Gods Portal > How to play Heroes 3 HotA on MacOS with M1/M2 Apple
How to play Heroes 3 HotA on MacOS with M1/M2 Apple

Thanks to Alexey, we have a great tutorial on how to play Windows games on M1/M2 Macs. I have no idea how MacOS works, but I hope this tutorial will help someone.
- You need Parallels Desktop with M1 support — https://www.parallels.com/ru/products/desktop/trial/
- Also you need an insider account on Microsoft web site to download WIN 11 for ARM — https://insider.windows.com/en-us/
- Then you need to download WIN 11 for ARM — https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windowsinsiderpreviewARM64
- Download Heroes 3 Horn of the Abyss
- Set compatibility mode for the game link (Properties→Compatibility→Compatibility mode→Run this program in compatibility mode with Windows 98; also there — Windows on ARM→Change Emulation Settings→In the dropdown, change «Default» to «Safe emulation»).
- When the game runs for the first time, Windows installs DirectPlay drivers
- Same post in Russian (original with images) — https://vk.com/topic-28951892_29066912?post=4297
Source: https://blog.bullgare.com/2021/09/heroes-3-on-macos-with-m1-apple-silicon/
Hello,
I hope that you can help me. I have done all steps, which are mentioned, but when I start the Heroes, I have received az error message: This app can’t run on your PC. To find a version for your PC,check with the fostware publisher.
THank you in advance.
Hi, I’m sorry, but I absolutely can’t help you with this, as I don’t have an Apple PC.
Try here: https://blog.bullgare.com/2021/09/heroes-3-on-macos-with-m1-apple-silicon/
Hey,
Great job! It works for me, but when i do combat no monsters inflict dmg.
Can you help?
Running:
Parallels 17.1.2.
Windows: Edition Windows 11 Pro
Version 22H2
Installed on 4/8/2022
OS build 22579.1
Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.22579.1.0
Ugh, so I haven’t encountered such a problem, could you make a short video? So I can find out more?
hi, just solved 1 damage attack on m1 air / windows 11 preview / parallels 17.1 / macOS 12.4 / pd runner 0.37 with “safe emulation” in compatibility advanced options.
mb air works fine, but heats and drain battery well (maybe because of rasterising method)
Tried it a few months ago and faced the same problem. No damage is calculated/dealt during combat. I tried reinstalling everything several times, but couldn’t get past this issue.
Hello, thanks for this guide. Since I can’t download Homm3 HotA without SoD or Complete, can you maybe show a guide on how to install either? I am having difficulty trying to install Complete via Parallels.
Hi Wuss, I’m so sorry, but I absolutely can’t help you with this, as I don’t have an Apple PC.
Try here: https://blog.bullgare.com/2021/09/heroes-3-on-macos-with-m1-apple-silicon/
Any idea if this would work using VMWare instead of Parallels?
For sure, i’m the author of initial post on vk.com, please follow these instructions on youtube
install & setup https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4d5ntlJ_pkE
there is a new technical preview of VMWare, install it and download beta win 11 arm,
dont forget to setup comparability for heroes (win xp + safe)
Great, I updated the article and added a new video.
Thank you.
Awesome, thanks. The video is easy to follow and I was able to install Homm3 with Hota and the HD+ mod on Win11 and it runs great.
Also I should mention I am on a 16-inch Macbook Pro with the M1 Pro and 16 GB RAM