MetalRender
MetalRender is a Minecraft mod that uses Apple’s Metal graphics API to render the game on macOS. It adds a modern rendering backend designed to help Minecraft run faster and more smoothly on Apple devices.
I would like to thank Ikea for helping with the testing of MetalRender, my mac is being kept alive using a Ikea zip lock bag with ice inside under my mac :>
MetalRender is inspired by Nvidium, an optimization mod for NVIDIA GPUs by Cortex.
Please report bugs and issues on the GitHub Issues page. Suggestions are welcome too—use the Suggestions tag.
Disclaimer
MetalRender is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or associated with Apple Inc. “Metal” refers to Apple’s Metal graphics API. The MetalRender logo is an original design inspired by the term “Metal” and is not intended to resemble or imply an association with Apple branding.
Requirements
Install these before running MetalRender:
- Fabric Loader
- Fabric API
- Java 25 or newer to build the mod
Installation
MetalRender currently supports Fabric Loader only.
- Install Fabric Loader using the official installer.
- Install Fabric API.
- Put Fabric API and MetalRender in your Minecraft
modsfolder. - Start Minecraft using the Fabric profile.
Hardware compatibility
MetalRender is designed for Apple Silicon Macs. Supported Mac chips are M1 or newer, including M1, M2, M3, M4, and M5. MetalRender requires macOS 27.x; older macOS versions are not supported.
To check your Mac’s chip, click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select About This Mac. If the window lists a Chip such as Apple M1, your Mac has Apple Silicon. If it lists a Processor, your Mac has an Intel processor and is not supported.
If your device meets these requirements but MetalRender does not work, please report the issue on GitHub. If your device is unsupported, MetalRender will display an error and disable itself.
Bugs and suggestions
If you encounter a bug or have a suggestion, please open an issue on the GitHub Issues page. Before reporting a bug, check that you have Java 21 or newer, Fabric API, and Sodium installed.
Known issues
- Slowdowns after long uptime: Minecraft may slow down after your computer has been running for two days or more. This appears to be related to macOS.
- Compatibility: MetalRender WILL crash when used with Sodium, Distant Horizons (DH), Voxy, Iris, C2ME, or other rendering mods. If you run into a specific compatibility issue (NOT those mods), please report it on GitHub.
For developers
In version v0.1, the source code is included in the JAR. This source code is outdated and will not be updated.
For v0.1.2 and later, the source code and build instructions are available on the GitHub repository.
Command line
Command-line features are available in v0.1.6 and later. Earlier versions do not include these commands. See the GitHub repository for the full guide.
Common commands
/metalrender status— Show the current MetalRender status./metalrender help— List available commands./metalrender cache clear— Clear the cache and restart the renderer./metalrender reload— Reload the world renderer./metalrender restart— Restart MetalRender.
How to Install MetalRender (Mod)
MetalRender by pebbles_boon. is verified for Fabric across Minecraft versions 1.21.10, 1.21.8, 1.21.9, 26.1, 26.1.1, 26.1.2, 26.2, 26.3 (latest release: v2.0.3+1, file size: 5.8 MB). Follow the steps below to install it safely from ModCraft.tv:
- Click the Download button above and select your Minecraft version (1.21.10, 1.21.8, 1.21.9, 26.1, 26.1.1, 26.1.2, 26.2, 26.3) and platform (Fabric).
- Make sure you have the compatible loader or environment installed for Fabric.
- Move the downloaded MetalRender file into your Minecraft
.minecraft/modsfolder and launch the game.
All Versions
+ Add Version
## changes since 2.0.2.1
### terrain rendering and LOD
- better mesh shader path and GPU culling
- re-enabled hi-z terrain culling by default
- avoided duplicate normal terrain rendering when metalrender is alive
- worsened visual detail for selected plants and vines at farther LOD levles
### bug and visual fixes
- fixed water/lava slope gaps
- fixed underwater mysterious shadows that look like a lost ancient civilisation
- water/fire textures fix against z-fighting
### Other
- updated license, revise where necessary
## changes since 2.0.1
### MC 26.3 compatiblbilty
- ports renderer backend to MC 26.3 RenderPearl GPU
- reuse the active terrain and water render passes
### rendering
- smaller terrain vertex data passed between shader stages
- better terrain fog distance reconstruction
- limited terrain LOD tier refreshes and chunk finding to do less work
- better GPu buffer updates with safe back buffer renaming for smol buffer
- better chunk mesh generation, quad tier handling, terrain culling shaders and bundled Metal libraries
### compatibility data
- updated Sodium from "conflicts" to 'breaks' incase you people can't read and just try to install Sodium along with metalrender for some stupid reason despite a VERY clear warning in the mod overview at the TOP of the page
<details>
<summary>smol something</summary>
hope you guys like this version, took me 3 days and nights (litertally) and a school email about computer use.
</details>
## Changes since 2.0.0
### Rendering and performance
- adds terrain Hi-Z occlusion culling to kill hidden terrain during GPU culling
- better chunk meshing with block state caching and water meshing.
- caches fully meshed chunk section scans to avoid repeating work.
- better cave traversal by using outward exits in the directional walk.
- remembers GUI render areas to speed overlap checks.
- skipps the entity outline blit pass when there is no outline work to draw.
- adds GPU pass timing data to the profiler reports.
this release features a brand new rendering path, actually working (not placeholder) buttons*, and proven results!
minor visual issues might still reside, if it doesn't crash its mostly alg
mod compatiblilty:
- Sodium & VulkanMod is non compat
- DH and Bobby is non compat, when installing metalrender, remove their files and world saves
- Other Rendering mods are also non compat
- Most other mods that add features using Blaze3D are compatible
- Rendering/memory optimisation mods are non compat, will not add compat.
- # yea previous versions were just placeholders, before i discovered over 400 pages of apple documentation on metal... oops was just writing shi and hoped it compiled before... i actualy know what im doing now trust
- Added MetalRender Command line
- Added ModMenu config UI
- Improved LOD system
- Added TAA (partly)
- Added MetalFX upscaling
- Used [half] instead of [float] for faster Metal-side loading
- Lowered quality to a barely noticeable state but enought to increase FPS
- Fixed LOD mesh generation
- If MetalRender gets slow after a while, use /metalrender cache clear or /metalrender reload
- If Minecraft gets slow, turn low power mode off as it has been tested to lower FPS and graphics greatly. Great for if you can't charge for a while.
- Remember to get ModMenu, MetalRender now needs it
- Performance boost (in testing)**
