Guide: LuaTools/BetterSteamTools on Mac/Crossover
I am not associated with the LuaTools mods, so please don’t ask me about anything outside this guide because I probably wouldn’t know anyway. I’m just a regular guy who was just curious.
Also, this guide is for educational purposes only. I don’t support piracy in any way, and I really care about all the multibillion-dollar companies. Thank you, and let’s start.
System info:
Mac: MacBook Pro
Chip: M1 Pro / Apple Silicon
macOS Version: 27.0.1
CrossOver Version: 26.3
Bottle Architecture: Windows 10 64-bit
Your results may be different depending on your CrossOver, Wine, Steam, LuaTools, BetterSteamTools, and macOS versions.
Start by installing Steam in a new CrossOver bottle.
In my case, I used:
Windows 10
64-bit bottle
M1 Pro MacBook
After that, download the LuaTools installer from their official website.
In CrossOver, click:
Install an Application into Bottle
Then select:
Install an Unlisted Application
Select the LuaTools .exe you just downloaded.
Wait & Click:
Install Additional Components
Follow the prompts to install the required runtime.
The runtime installer may flash on the screen and then return you to the new bottle you created. The bottle may still look empty.
It will look like nothing happened, but keep following the steps.
Once again, click:
Install Application into This Bottle
Select the LuaTools .exe again and Let it Load
Most Likely, You will get a "program error."
Click Close on that error dialog box and let the CrossOver installer finish.
Now, inside your Steam/LuaTools bottle, go to:
CrossOver → <YOUR Steam/LuaTools bottle> → Run Command
Run:
cmd.exe
This will open Command Prompt.
Inside CMD, right-click:
Edit → Paste
Paste this command:
reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Avalon.Graphics" /v DisableHWAcceleration /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f && set "Logging__EventLog__LogLevel__Default=None" && cd /d "%LOCALAPPDATA%\LuaTools\current" && LuaTools.exe
This should fix the LuaTools launcher issue and automatically launch LuaTools.
Apply the recommended settings and sign in with your Discord account.
If you don’t see the recommended settings, go to:
Plugin → Install LuaTools Plugin
Then:
Mode → Install BetterSteamTools
Important steps now:
Stop Steam from automatically updating so everything doesn’t randomly break later and so the Restart Steam button in LuaTools starts working.
Run this command in the macOS Terminal:
echo "BootStrapperInhibitAll=Enable" > ~/Desktop/steam.cfg
This creates a file called:
steam.cfg
on your Mac desktop.
Now place that file inside the Steam directory in your CrossOver bottle.
In your Crossover bottle, Click:
Open C: Drive
Then go to:
drive_c/Program Files (x86)/Steam
The full path will usually look something like:
/Users/<username>/Library/Application Support/CrossOver/Bottles/LuaTools Bottle/drive_c/Program Files (x86)/Steam
Put:
steam.cfg
inside that Steam folder.
Now for the most important step, which took me a really long time to figure out.
Open:
Wine Configuration
Then go to:
Libraries
Search for:
xinput1_4
Add/select it, then click:
Apply
and:
OK
{I don't know how/why it worked(I reddited it out), but GPT said:
In normal Windows, xinput1_4.dll provides functions for things like:
- controller detection
- buttons
- sticks and triggers
- vibration
- controller state queries
For LuaTools/BetterSteamTools, it probably is not using XInput because it needs a gamepad. More likely, adding that library changes how Wine resolves or exposes that DLL to Steam/its injected components, and that happens to make part of the plugin/injection chain initialize correctly.}
And boom, we are done.
Now go to Steam, click any game, and open its Steam Store page.
There should now be an:
Add via LuaTools
option in the top-right.
Click it, let it finish, then click Close.
Check your library and see the magic.
PS: I don’t appreciate the LuaTools/BetterSteamTools mods. They are not doing a really good job, and I am definitely not thankful to them. I also don’t recommend donating to them because they are really bad for the multibillion-dollar companies.
I am also not a super-intelligent nerd, I vibe-figured/reddited this out, so if you have any better way, feel free to share that.