Because this is an older version, the system requirements are more forgiving than today’s standards:
| Requirement | Minimum | |-------------|---------| | OS Version | Mac OS X 10.9 (Mavericks) to 10.14 (Mojave) | | CPU | Intel Core 2 Duo (2.4 GHz) | | RAM | 2 GB | | GPU | Intel HD Graphics 4000 or better | | Storage | 3.5 GB | | Supported Macs | MacBook Pro 2010+, MacBook Air 2012+, Mac mini 2011+, iMac 2010+ |
Note: Version 1031 does not officially support macOS Catalina (10.15) or newer, because it is a 32-bit executable. Apple dropped 32-bit app compatibility entirely in Catalina. We’ll address workarounds below.
Absolutely—if you have the right hardware. Version 1031 represents a beautiful moment in indie gaming history: when a small Australian studio, Team Cherry, optimized their game by hand for Apple’s fragmented graphics APIs. It runs like butter on a 2014 MacBook Air, offers over 30 hours of the base game plus two brilliant DLCs, and lacks the bloated Godmaster content that many casual players skip anyway.
Hunting down Hollow Knight 1031 for Mac OS X has become a rite of passage for Mac-owning Metroidvania fans. It’s a time capsule of simpler compatibility, where “it just worked” still held true.
Call to Action: Do you have an old Mac sitting in a drawer? Dust it off, install Mojave, and go hunting for this version. Hallownest awaits—and it runs at 1080p 60fps.
Have we missed a specific bug or fix for 1031? Found a new download source? Join the discussion in the /r/HollowKnightMac subreddit.
Hollow Knight version 1.0.3.1 served as a crucial early update for Mac OS X, stabilizing performance for Intel-based hardware by addressing bugs, controller support, and screen resolution issues. While modern Apple Silicon Macs run the game through Rosetta 2, the current, updated version remains an Intel-only binary that offers stable performance on Intel-based Macs. More information on Mac compatibility is available on Reddit's Mac Gaming community. hollow knight 1031 mac os x
Hollow Knight version 1.0.3.1 is a significant early update for the macOS version of Team Cherry’s masterpiece, addressing critical stability and performance issues for Mac players. Released in May 2017, this patch marked a major step in making the game playable on a wider range of Apple hardware, from legacy Intel MacBooks to modern systems. Version 1.0.3.1 Patch Highlights for macOS
This update focused on polishing the experience across all platforms, with specific benefits for Mac users who initially faced delayed content.
Performance Improvements: Added optimizations for enemy damage effects and general performance to help lower-end Mac hardware maintain a steady frame rate.
Visual & UI Refinements: Includes slight map room display refinements and fixes for white flames not showing on enemy corpses.
Bug Fixes: Addressed various interface, menu, and sound effect issues that were unique to the initial Mac and PC launches.
Traditional Chinese Support: This version officially added Traditional Chinese to the game's supported languages. System Requirements for macOS
To run Hollow Knight version 1.0.3.1 or later, your Mac must meet the following minimum and recommended specifications: Minimum Requirement Recommended Requirement OS macOS 10.13 (64-bit) macOS 10.13 (64-bit) Processor Intel Core i3 Intel Core i5 Memory Graphics GeForce GTX 470 GeForce GTX 570 Storage 9 GB free space 9 GB free space Common Mac Compatibility Fixes Because this is an older version, the system
Many macOS users encounter specific technical hurdles when running either 1.0.3.1 or later versions. Below are the community-verified solutions:
Controller Support: If your controller is not recognized, right-click Hollow Knight in your Steam library, go to Properties > Betas, and select version 1.4.3.2. This version is often cited as the most stable for third-party gamepads on macOS.
Launch Failures: Some users find the game won't launch because the executable file is misnamed. Navigate to the game's local files, right-click hollow_knight.app, select Show Package Contents, and ensure the file in Contents/MacOS is named exactly "Hollow Knight" (matching the app name).
M1/Apple Silicon Performance: While the game runs well via Rosetta, some users experience overheating. Updating to the public beta branch in Steam provides a native Apple Silicon version that significantly improves thermal performance.
Resolution Issues: If the game appears at an incorrect resolution on Retina displays, you can force a specific resolution using Steam launch options: -screen-width 2560 -screen-height 1600 (adjust values for your specific screen). Hollow Knight Changelog - GitHub Gist
Hollow Knight patch version was a significant early update released for
and other platforms in May 2017. This version focused on critical bug fixes and stability improvements following the game's initial launch. Steam Community Key Fixes in Patch 1.0.3.1 Gameplay Stability Have we missed a specific bug or fix for 1031
: Resolved several soft-locks, including an issue where striking a Warrior Dream during their defeat animation could freeze the game. Control Improvements
: Fixed a bug where charms increasing nail-slash size failed to apply while wall-sliding. Technical Fixes
: Addressed issues with the in-game timer displaying incorrect playtime and various graphical glitches, such as white flames not showing on certain enemy corpses. Environment
: Fixed players getting stuck behind a gate in Greenpath and corrected the Shade Marker display on the map. Steam Community macOS Compatibility and Requirements
While version 1.0.3.1 is an older build, the modern version of Hollow Knight has specific requirements for macOS: Minimum OS Big Sur 11 or newer is now required for current versions.
: Intel Core i3 (Minimum) or Apple M1/Intel Core i5 (Recommended). : 4 GB RAM (Minimum) or 8 GB RAM (Recommended). : Metal-capable Intel, AMD, or Apple M1 GPUs. Troubleshooting Legacy Mac Issues
If you are attempting to run older versions or having trouble on newer Mac hardware: Hollow Knight System Requirements for macOS - COST.games
This is the tricky part. You cannot download version 1031 directly from Steam or GOG by default—they serve the latest patched build. Here are legitimate methods:
Navigate to ~/Library/Application Support/Team Cherry/Hollow Knight/. Open config.ini and add:
[Video]
useFrameLimit=0
vsync=0
fullscreen=1
resolution=1280x720
particleQuality=0