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We want to buy an iMAC as a present for our grandson who is a fan of Minecraft and wants to play it there on the big screen instead of his iPad.

He wants to play the same multiplayer Minecraft on the iMAC. Is this supported? Is the Minecraft software the same on iPad and on the mac?

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    There are also ways to connect a controller to your ipad and also connect your ipad to a tv. There's no need to buy him a desktop computer just because of the bigger screen or better controls.
    – FoxMcCloud
    May 25, 2017 at 21:11
  • Minecraft is avaloble on these platforms: iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android, (almost any other smartphone and tablet) mac, windows, Linux
    – TwentyCharMax
    May 26, 2017 at 15:20

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Minecraft is certainly available for Mac! You can see this if you visit the download page for the game, and under the "Desktop" section, select "Mac".

Although there are version differences between the desktop version of Minecraft and the iPad version (which is called Minecraft Pocket Edition), the foundation of the game is identical. Multiplayer is certainly available for the desktop version of the game.

Note that your grandson will need a Minecraft account for the desktop version (I'm not sure how Pocket Edition works, nor if you are able to use the same account information for both versions).

He wants to play the same multiplayer minecraft on the iMAC

According to this forum:

  • Minecraft (the java version) that runs in Windows 10 (or older versions of Windows, or on Macs) is not "cross-platform". It runs on PC's only.
  • Win10 ("Minecraft: Windows 10 Beta Edition") is "cross-platform". It runs on PC's, tablets, and smartphones that runs Windows 10.

  • Win10 is also compatible with PE. PE runs on Android and iOS tablets and smartphones.

  • Consoles (like the java version), are unique animals and can only play with themselves... Xbox (and PS4, and Wii U) can't play with any other editions due to different world sizes, etc. (in fact, Xbox 360's can't even play with Xbox Ones). Until, and unless, the (newer) consoles get infinite worlds they can't play with any of the other editions.

The multiplayer would be separate (independent of the Pocket Edition). Pocket Edition players will not be able to play with people on Macs - making the multiplayer completely separate.

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    A mine raft account costs around $27 on desktop, but, once bought he will be able to use it to play on any desktop, whether minecraft is downloaded or not.
    – Bobalobdob
    May 26, 2017 at 4:52
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    Different Minecraft editions (in this case PC and PE) cannot play together in multiplayer.
    – tyteen4a03
    May 26, 2017 at 17:05
  • @tyteen4a03 I wasn't saying that they could, but was inferring that the account used for PE can't be used for the desktop one.
    – Timmy Jim ♦
    May 26, 2017 at 17:06
  • Yes, all editions are separate and must be paid for separately. You can however have Minecraft PE and Minecraft (PC version) linked to the same Mojang account (for realms payment, for example)
    – tyteen4a03
    May 26, 2017 at 17:07
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    @Alex Yes, this is the only exception - Win10 is just PE on Windows 10.
    – tyteen4a03
    May 27, 2017 at 21:15
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Yes, he will be able to play the game on the iMac. Minecraft is available for macOS, and runs fine.

He can certainly play multiplayer on the computer, but it will not be the same. The pocket edition of minecraft will not be able to play with the desktop version. However, if he wants to play multiplayer with someone who has the game on Mac or PC, he will be able to. The game has LAN functionality (you may need to adjust firewall first) to allow playing between computers, but iPads won't be able to join. He will have more multiplayer options on pc though, such as servers, but it will not let him play with friends on iPad.

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