Steam macOS 10.13 and 10.14 Support

[TheOrangeBox]

So STEAM decided to lock you out of your house 'cause they couldn't be bother to keep the game launcher supported for the game you purchased.

What a bunch of ludicrous policy when they're keep selling 32bit games on their store and now they've decided to lock you out.

Criminal Mobster

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EDIT: Below is a summary of some alternative after Feb 2024:

Alternative 1.
Look at some of the solutions suggested in the STEAM client survival kit found here:
https://blog.lightwo.net/steam-client-downgrades-survival-kit.html

Alternative 2.
Use terminal command without loading the built-in browser and instead use STEAM Small Mode, info found here:
https://garden.alessandrocuzzocrea.com/launch-steam-no-browser

Alternative 3.
Upgrade to Catalina and use Play on Mac (www.playonmac.com) as emulator to run 32bit games. Video tutorial found here:
https://youtu.be/DYom6i2CDec

Alternative 4.
Use SteamCMD in terminal for installing games checking steamdb.info for the package (game) IDs, info found here:
https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/SteamCMD
https://steamdb.info/
Do note that using SteamCMD to install games will only work for DRM-free games.

Alternative 5.
Upgrade to Catalina and then install the free mac emulator 'The Porting Kit'. It allows to install STEAM using Wineskin and then be able to play 32bit games.
www.portingkit.com

[artmakersworlds]

Well since I have NO PLANS to buy a new computer just to get the latest stupid browser, I guess when steam shuts me out, I simply delete steam and say goodbye to my team mates.

How flipping stupid huh? I lived a long time without steam. It won't be hard to forget about again. I will miss my poker team though. Oh well. Nothing good lasts forever. Especially with idiots in charge of decisions like this.

[Noliving]

Originally posted by rockywaist:

The notice that Steam will not support MacOS 10.14 in 76 days came up. I have a library full of 32bit games that I saved for retirement, I hope I will still be able to access those. MacOS 10.14 is the last OS that supports 32bit, I bought a 2017 iMac to run it. If they lock me out of my 32bit library I will expect full compensation.

You signed an agreement that your licenses to the games could be revoked at any time for any reason.

[MrNunuther]

Valve's new notice is disingenuous -- and it's written to sound like it's an Apple issue. These operating systems are over 4-6 years old; and Apple provided ample notice (4-5 years prior) to partners, developers, and users. They have been transitioning to 64 bit for well over a decade; and 64bit x86 processors have been on the market since 2004. Moreover, the technical reason for this change has little to do with Apple, and clearly falls at the feet of Valve, Google, and the developers that weren't motivated enough to update their code (which includes Valve themself).

[artmakersworlds]

Wouldn't this be utterly stupid? Pick a store. Any store. And imagine a sign on the door saying

WELCOME ANYONE WEARING NEW SHOES. YOU HAVE TO HAVE NEW SHOES TO ENTER. IF YOU HAVE OLD SHOES YOU MAY NOT SHOP HERE.


THIS is what steam is doing. Sing along, DUMB DUMB DUMB DE DUMB

[emberfrost8]

Originally posted by TheOrangeBox:

Originally posted by emberfrost8:

Apple has been moving towards exclusively supporting 64-bit applications on its operating systems. You've probably heard that starting with macOS Catalina, Apple no longer supports 32-bit apps. The saddest thing is that this change means that applications, including games that are 32-bit, will not run on macOS versions 10.15 and later.

The problem isn't OSX, the problem is STEAM built-in browser around Chromium.
As a result of Google Chromium no longer supporting macOS 10.13 and 10.14, STEAM is locking out clients even when both OSX can run the 32bit games.

They could just remove the shopping cart capability and leave the launcher functionality alone so people can access their games.

They could easily do this.

You're right that this adds another layer of complexity. The fact that Google's Chromium no longer supports macOS 10.13 and 10.14 affects Steam's functionality on these operating systems, particularly because Steam heavily relies on its browser component for various features, including the shopping cart.

[emberfrost8]

Steam's reliance on Chromium for its built-in browser is indeed a
strategic choice, likely due to Chromium's broad support and
capabilities. However, as you've noted, this can lead to compatibility
issues, especially as older operating systems lose support. Your
suggestion to disable auto-updates or certain features for compatibility
purposes is interesting, but it involves balancing security,
functionality, and user experience.

[alexmaru]

Originally posted by emberfrost8:

Steam's reliance on Chromium for its built-in browser is indeed a
strategic choice, likely due to Chromium's broad support and
capabilities. However, as you've noted, this can lead to compatibility
issues, especially as older operating systems lose support. Your
suggestion to disable auto-updates or certain features for compatibility
purposes is interesting, but it involves balancing security,
functionality, and user experience.

Just disable everything, except game launcher and servers browser, like it was in the begining of the Steam. But they would'nt do it, because its really small amount of old mac's are online.

[pplr1]

Let me get the straight. Steam told people who had older (32 bit) games they could still keep playing them and laid out instructions how even with new Mac OS updates..

And now is steam cancelling access to any of the old (32 bit) games they already told people they would be able to use.

It is 1 thing to say a game will no longer supported so don't expect any updates or tech support.

It is a very different thing to say this game we sold you and even told you how to continue playing will no longer be able to be accessed or used.

This is 1 of those things Steam should both be more clear about and should-at least-let players decide or offer refunds.

If someone purchases a product and then access to that product is cut off by the seller then that is essentially the seller taking the product back.

I think an argument can be made that taking a product back without refunding players is not just a failure to provide good customer service but is actually like stealing from customers.

If a player updated to the new Mac OS but also put in place a workaround to be able to continue using an older game through steam then what exactly is the point of disabling the workaround??

If someone can provide additional info about this situation please do.

And thank you to those who already pointed out that there seem to be problems with the description given (was unclear if updates would end or access be canceled), actual plans in place, or both.

[TheOrangeBox]

Here's an alternative to use terminal command without loading the built-in browser and instead use Window>Small Mode, you can use Terminal in OSX.
'minigames list' command enables small mode. This is just a workaround if you already have installed the games.
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https://garden.alessandrocuzzocrea.com/launch-steam-no-browser/

[Cathulhu]

Originally posted by TheOrangeBox:

Originally posted by Cathulhu:

How does that matter in terms of support? Apple no longer updates those versions.

They do, they just don't advertise it.

Ok, Mac OS 10.15.6, latest 10.15 release, July 15th, 2020, over three years ago. Last security update July 20th, 2022. So, over a year without any update.

Mac OS 10.14.6, latest 10.14 release, August 1st, 2019, over four years ago. Last security update February 9th, 2021, almost three years ago.

Mac OS 10.13.6, latest 10.13 release, July 9th, 2018, over five years ago. Last security update November 12, 2020. Three years ago.

How are these supported? Not by updates or patches. Which is one of the reasons why others drop support as well.

[TheOrangeBox]

Originally posted by Cathulhu:

Originally posted by TheOrangeBox:

They do, they just don't advertise it.

Ok, Mac OS 10.15.6, latest 10.15 release, July 15th, 2020, over three years ago. Last security update July 20th, 2022. So, over a year without any update.

Mac OS 10.14.6, latest 10.14 release, August 1st, 2019, over four years ago. Last security update February 9th, 2021, almost three years ago.

Mac OS 10.13.6, latest 10.13 release, July 9th, 2018, over five years ago. Last security update November 12, 2020. Three years ago.

How are these supported? Not by updates or patches. Which is one of the reasons why others drop support as well.

Applications exploit are what matters in security these days, system breach are very rare and most vulnerable exploits have been patched as Apple uses its own proprietary hardware.

As for OSX on Intel, it's already considered obsolete by Apple since they introduced the new M chips.
So if you listen to Apple then you should buy an iPhone every year and upgrade your latest Mac to the newest pro chips for security and productivity.

The only bonus you have out of this transaction with tech is keep feeding the corporate executives pay-check.

[Cathulhu]

Interesting that you bring the vulnerability part up.
Let's see:
https://www.cvedetails.com/vulnerability-list/vendor_id-49/product_id-156/version_id-657490/Apple-Mac-Os-X-10.13.6.html?page=1&order=8&trc=622&sha=94680a70fbe6b6102ffc1754124176095078490f
Oh, several critical and unpatched security issues.

And it doesn't look that much different in 10.14:
https://www.cvedetails.com/vulnerability-list/vendor_id-49/product_id-156/version_id-634912/Apple-Mac-Os-X-10.14.6.html?page=1&order=8&trc=525&sha=1110046b5a9a82eb354d9926e1b849eac8c8f646

And 10.15 isn't much different either:
https://www.cvedetails.com/vulnerability-list/vendor_id-49/product_id-156/version_id-634924/Apple-Mac-Os-X-10.15.7.html?page=1&year=2021&order=7&trc=235&sha=f8996d7c4ff60500d90199d7a83b9e13c2a8cc0a

[TheOrangeBox]

Originally posted by Cathulhu:

Interesting that you bring the vulnerability part up.
Let's see:
https://www.cvedetails.com/vulnerability-list/vendor_id-49/product_id-156/version_id-657490/Apple-Mac-Os-X-10.13.6.html?page=1&order=8&trc=622&sha=94680a70fbe6b6102ffc1754124176095078490f
Oh, several critical and unpatched security issues.

And it doesn't look that much different in 10.14:
https://www.cvedetails.com/vulnerability-list/vendor_id-49/product_id-156/version_id-634912/Apple-Mac-Os-X-10.14.6.html?page=1&order=8&trc=525&sha=1110046b5a9a82eb354d9926e1b849eac8c8f646

And 10.15 isn't much different either:
https://www.cvedetails.com/vulnerability-list/vendor_id-49/product_id-156/version_id-634924/Apple-Mac-Os-X-10.15.7.html?page=1&year=2021&order=7&trc=235&sha=f8996d7c4ff60500d90199d7a83b9e13c2a8cc0a

. . . and that what's got to do with Chromium?

[Cathulhu]

Well, it shows why they decided to no longer support older Mac OS versions as those are inherently insecure and pose an actual danger to the user.

Considering that Apple no longer supports it, why should they?

[TheOrangeBox]

Originally posted by Cathulhu:

Well, it shows why they decided to no longer support older Mac OS versions as those are inherently insecure and pose an actual danger to the user.

Considering that Apple no longer supports it, why should they?

You're keep missing the point of this thread and I even doubt if you understood the whole thread.

If you think that updating to Catalina will solve the issue then explain to us how people will be able to launch and play the 32bit games that they bought and are kept sold on STEAM shop.