All Discussions > Steam Forums > Steam for Mac > Topic Details
rjdriver May 29, 2015 @ 2:20am
Buy a MAC game using a PC to give as a gift
How do I go about buying a MAC game using my Windows PC to give as a gift to a MAC owner?

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Showing 1-15 of 18 comments
smandc May 29, 2015 @ 5:51am 
You can use both platforms to purchase mac and windows games, as long as you see an apple icon, including a windows icon side by side as well as a linux icon on the store pages, you're good to go, gifting works the same on all three platforms.
#1
rjdriver May 30, 2015 @ 2:00am 
I can see the Windows, Apple, and Linux symbols next to the game (Bioshock Infinite), but I got all the way to the Pay Pal authorization and there was still no way to choose between them. They are not clickable. What am I missing?
Last edited by rjdriver; May 30, 2015 @ 2:01am
#2
videogames May 30, 2015 @ 2:09am 
Originally posted by rjdriver:
What am I missing?
You don't pick which platform you buy for. When you buy a game you own it for every OS it's available on.
#3
rjdriver May 30, 2015 @ 2:51am 
I already own the PC version. Want to buy the MAC version to give as a gift. I assume I have to buy it again. How do I buy a MAC game using a Window computer? I still see no obvious way to do this.
Last edited by rjdriver; May 30, 2015 @ 2:52am
#4
videogames May 30, 2015 @ 3:17am 
You don't buy each version separetely. If you buy a game on Steam, you're buying for every operating system it's available on. It's the same with pretty much every other distribution platform, Humble, GOG, Origin, etc.
Last edited by videogames; May 30, 2015 @ 3:18am
#5
averyvh May 30, 2015 @ 4:17am 
Originally posted by rjdriver:
I already own the PC version. Want to buy the MAC version to give as a gift. I assume I have to buy it again. How do I buy a MAC game using a Window computer? I still see no obvious way to do this.
add the game to your cart and select purchase as a gift. Now you will have a gift-able copy. Like it was said above, Valve sells you the license to use all versions of the game, across all platforms.
#6
rjdriver May 30, 2015 @ 11:26am 
Just to clarify, the PC version I own I did not buy from Steam. So are you saying that *after* I buy the game as a gift, and tell it the person I want it sent to, it will at some point allow me to specify which version to send to that person?

The reason I am trying to get this process explained in a step by step manner is that Steam, even though it is warning me that I already have a copy of this game on my system *will* let me buy it again. And it just seems odd to not be able pick the version before I commit to a purchase.
Last edited by rjdriver; May 30, 2015 @ 11:27am
#7
Conseula May 30, 2015 @ 12:17pm 
it worked
#8
averyvh May 30, 2015 @ 7:29pm 
Originally posted by rjdriver:
Just to clarify, the PC version I own I did not buy from Steam. So are you saying that *after* I buy the game as a gift, and tell it the person I want it sent to, it will at some point allow me to specify which version to send to that person?

The reason I am trying to get this process explained in a step by step manner is that Steam, even though it is warning me that I already have a copy of this game on my system *will* let me buy it again. And it just seems odd to not be able pick the version before I commit to a purchase.

You are buying all platforms of the game and even when you gift that game, the person who receives it will have all platforms. If you gift Bioshock Infinite to anyone, they can install all three versions, regardless of which OS was used to purchase the game. Just make sure you select 'purchase as a gift' when you buy it.
#9
Squall87 May 30, 2015 @ 7:55pm 
Thx man, it was very usefull, sometimes I'd troubles with that
#10
rjdriver May 30, 2015 @ 8:42pm 
Originally posted by averyvh:
Originally posted by rjdriver:
. If you gift Bioshock Infinite to anyone, they can install all three versions, regardless of which OS was used to purchase the game. Just make sure you select 'purchase as a gift' when you buy it.

Thanks averyvh. I think I get it now.
#11
XGamerLuka Dec 28, 2017 @ 8:57am 
wait so what happens if i have a mac and i buy a game that is only available on pc's for a friend who has a pc will it be fine? (btw the game is "Cuphead")
#12
rjdriver Dec 29, 2017 @ 8:56pm 
Regardless of what OS you have, when you gift a game, it will be offered to the recipient in whatever versions it has been made (PC, Mac. Linux, etc.). The recipient gets to choose which version to download.
#13
999999999 Dec 29, 2017 @ 9:18pm 
Originally posted by rjdriver:
Regardless of what OS you have, when you gift a game, it will be offered to the recipient in whatever versions it has been made (PC, Mac. Linux, etc.). The recipient gets to choose which version to download.

Unless the game has 2 separate appIDs that require you to purchase the OS specific version to gift. There are games on Steam that are separate version with their own appID and store page.
#14
rjdriver Dec 31, 2017 @ 4:48pm 
>>>There are games on Steam that are separate version with their own appID and store page.<<<

Can you give an example? It would be weird and confusing for Steam to do this two different ways, unless there are pricing differences.
Last edited by rjdriver; Dec 31, 2017 @ 5:00pm
#15
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All Discussions > Steam Forums > Steam for Mac > Topic Details
Date Posted: May 29, 2015 @ 2:20am
Posts: 18
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