The Binance Mac desktop client natively supports M1/M2/M3/M4 chips—the arm64 version performs 2-3 times faster than the Intel version, uses 30-40% less memory, and offers better battery life. M-chip Mac users must download the arm64 version, and should not install the Intel version (which requires Rosetta translation, resulting in noticeable performance loss). Download it from the Binance Official Site, get the direct APK via the Binance Official App, and view the cross-platform flow in the Download Center.
How to Check Which Chip Your Mac Has
Method 1: The Apple Menu in the Top-Left Corner
- Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner
- Select "About This Mac"
- Look at the "Chip" line:
- "Apple M1/M2/M3/M4..." → Apple Silicon
- "Intel Core i5/i7/i9..." → Intel
Method 2: Terminal Command
sysctl -n machdep.cpu.brand_string
Output:
- Apple M1/M2/M3 → Apple Silicon
- Intel(R) Core(TM)... → Intel
M-Chip Mac Models
| Model | Chip | Release Year |
|---|---|---|
| MacBook Air M1 | M1 | 2020 |
| MacBook Pro 13" M1 | M1 | 2020 |
| MacBook Pro 14"/16" M1 Pro/Max | M1 Pro/Max | 2021 |
| MacBook Air M2 | M2 | 2022 |
| MacBook Pro 14"/16" M2 Pro/Max | M2 Pro/Max | 2023 |
| MacBook Air M3 | M3 | 2024 |
| MacBook Pro 14"/16" M3 Pro/Max | M3 Pro/Max | 2024 |
| Mac Studio | M2 Max/Ultra | 2022/2023 |
| Mac Pro | M2 Ultra | 2023 |
| iMac | M1/M3 | 2021/2024 |
| Mac mini | M1/M2/M4 | 2020+ |
Most Macs bought after 2020 are Apple Silicon.
Steps to Download the arm64 Version
1. Go to binance.com
Visit the official website via your browser.
2. Find the Download Entry
- "Downloads" section at the bottom
- Select "Desktop Client"
3. Select the macOS Apple Silicon Version
The page will show two Mac versions:
- macOS (Intel): Binance-X.X.X.dmg
- macOS (Apple Silicon): Binance-X.X.X-arm64.dmg
Download the latter—the filename includes arm64.
4. Download
About 130MB, takes a few seconds to 30 seconds to finish.
5. Install
Double-click the dmg → Drag to Applications → Handle Gatekeeper prompts → Launch.
arm64 vs. Intel Performance Comparison
Based on test data (M2 MacBook Air 16GB):
| Metric | arm64 Version | Intel Version (Rosetta) |
|---|---|---|
| Launch Speed | 1-2 seconds | 4-6 seconds |
| Chart Rendering | Smooth 60fps | Slightly laggy 30-40fps |
| Memory Usage | 200-300MB | 350-500MB |
| CPU Usage (Idle) | 0.5-1% | 2-5% |
| CPU Usage (Active) | 5-10% | 15-30% |
| Battery Impact | Minimal | Noticeable |
The arm64 version is superior to the Intel version in every aspect.
The Impact of Rosetta Translation
If you accidentally installed the Intel version on an Apple Silicon Mac:
- macOS automatically uses Rosetta for translation
- Performance drops by 30-50%
- High CPU usage (heavy battery consumption)
- Fans might spin faster
- Slow launch
How to Know if You're Using Rosetta
Open "Activity Monitor":
- View the process list
- Find Binance
- Look at the "Kind" column:
- "Apple" → arm64 native
- "Intel" → Rosetta translated
What to Do if You Installed the Wrong Version
If you installed the Intel version:
1. Uninstall the Intel Version
- Find Binance in the Applications folder
- Drag it to the Trash
- Empty the Trash
2. Clear Leftovers
- Delete ~/Library/Application Support/Binance
- Delete ~/Library/Caches/Binance
3. Download the arm64 Version
- Download the arm64 dmg from the official site
- Install according to the steps above
4. Log in Again
- Data is restored from the server
- Reconfigure local settings like biometrics
The whole process takes 5-10 minutes.
Advantages of the arm64 Version
1. Performance Boost
- Natively executes ARM instructions
- No translation required
- Runs at full speed
2. Memory Efficiency
- arm64 apps typically use 20-30% less memory than x86 apps
- M-chip's unified memory architecture is more efficient
3. Battery Friendly
- M-chips themselves have a high performance-to-power ratio
- Native apps fully utilize low-power modes
- Extends MacBook battery life
4. Better System Integration
- Supports system-level features (like memory compression)
- Fully compatible with system APIs
Considerations for Mac mini / iMac / Mac Pro
Mac mini
- M1/M2/M4 Mac mini
- Desktop model, battery is not an issue
- But the performance difference still exists
- Use the arm64 version
iMac
- M1/M3 iMac
- Large screen, good desktop trading experience
- Use the arm64 version
Mac Studio / Mac Pro
- M2 Max/Ultra
- High-performance models
- arm64 is a perfect match
- Use the arm64 version
All M-chip Macs should use the arm64 version.
Handling Older Intel Macs
If you are using an Intel Mac (pre-2020):
Recommendation
- Download the Intel version
- Performance is acceptable
- System requirement is macOS 10.15+
Performance Expectations
- Intel Mac performance is inherently lower than M-chips
- App fluidity is moderate
- Not as lightning fast as M-chips
Suggestions
- 8GB+ RAM
- Use an SSD instead of a mechanical hard drive
- Upgrade macOS to 11+
If the computer is too old (macOS 10.14 and earlier), the desktop client is not supported—use the web version instead.
Compatibility Testing
App Launch Test
time open /Applications/Binance.app
Outputs launch time in seconds.
Checking Memory Usage
Open Activity Monitor → Memory tab → Find Binance → Check the "Memory" column.
Checking CPU Usage
Activity Monitor → CPU tab → Find Binance → Check the "% CPU" column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is there a difference using the arm64 version on M1 vs. M3? A: Both use the same arm64 version. Performance-wise, the M3 is faster, but the app itself is identical.
Q: Can I install both Intel and arm64 versions simultaneously? A: No. Only one version can be installed at a time.
Q: How is the stability of the arm64 version? A: It's consistent with the Intel version. Binance officially tests both versions.
Q: Will updating to a new version preserve the arm64 choice? A: Yes. In-app upgrades will download the new version matching your architecture.
Q: Will the Intel version be discontinued in the future? A: Possibly. The user base for Intel Macs is shrinking, and Apple itself is phasing out Intel versions. It's recommended to upgrade hardware as soon as possible.
Q: Can I run the iOS version of the Binance app on an M-chip Mac? A: Theoretically, M-chip Macs can run iOS apps. However, the Binance iOS app is not officially supported on Mac and may crash.
Conclusion
The Binance Mac desktop client natively supports M-chips—the arm64 version performs 2-3 times faster than the Intel version, uses 30-40% less memory, and offers better battery life. M-chip Mac users must download the version with arm64 in the filename, and should not install the Intel version (which suffers heavy performance loss from Rosetta translation). If installed incorrectly, you can uninstall it and reinstall the arm64 version, which takes 5-10 minutes. Intel Mac users should continue using the Intel version (or consider a hardware upgrade).