# Install KartPad on Mac

On Apple Silicon Macs (M1 or newer) with macOS 14 or newer,
[PadMint](https://github.com/chrissotraidis/padmint) builds KartPad from your
own disc. You add your own Mario Kart Wii game data the first time you open it.
(0.7.9 to 0.7.13 also had a ready-to-play Mac download; it won't get updates.)
The Mac version is experimental: it's tested less than Android and
iPhone/iPad.

## Install

1. In [PadMint](https://github.com/chrissotraidis/padmint), choose **KartPad**,
   your disc image and **Mac**, and move the **KartPad** app it makes to
   Applications. To update, build the new version with PadMint, quit KartPad
   and replace the app; your settings and saves stay.
2. If macOS says it can't check the app, choose **Done**, then
   open **System Settings → Privacy & Security** and choose **Open Anyway**.
   The app isn't notarized by Apple, which is why macOS asks. Don't turn off
   Gatekeeper.
3. When KartPad asks for game data, choose your extracted Mario Kart Wii
   `DATA` folder (PAL **RMCP01**, revision 0). To make it, in
   [Dolphin](https://dolphin-emu.org) right-click the game, choose
   **Properties → Filesystem**, right-click the disc and choose
   **Extract Entire Disc**. You can change it later with
   **Data → Choose Mario Kart Wii Data…**.

## Retro Rewind

The Mac app doesn't download Retro Rewind. Download the official Retro Rewind
6.12.8 full pack, then choose **Data → Choose Retro Rewind Data…** and select
its `RetroRewind6` folder. Choose **Game → Retro Rewind**, quit and reopen
KartPad. **Game → Original Mario Kart Wii** and reopening switches back.

KartPad needs the exact Retro Rewind version it was built for. If it says the
data is unsupported, use the version it names; a newer pack needs a KartPad
update.

## Menus and input

- **Game** switches the game for the next launch and opens display and audio
  settings.
- **Data** changes the game data folders, manages Miis and opens the data and
  cache folders.
- **Controls → Controller Settings…** detects and maps controllers for up to
  four players. **Control Reference…** lists every keyboard binding.
- Keyboard defaults: `WASD` to steer, `U` or Return to accelerate and
  confirm, `M` or Delete to brake and go back, `E` to drift, Left Shift for
  items, arrow keys for tricks, Space to pause and Tab for select.
- The mouse works in KartPad's menus but doesn't drive; use the keyboard or a
  controller in races.

Settings and saves are in `~/Library/Application Support/KartPad`, graphics
caches in `~/Library/Caches/KartPad`. Replacing the app keeps both.

## Experimental Wii Remote and Nunchuk

Turn on **Controls → Experimental Wii Remote + Nunchuk**, press the red
**SYNC** button on the Wii Remote to pair, attach the Nunchuk, then choose
**Wii Remote + Nunchuk (Experimental)** in Controller Settings. It works with an
original `RVL-CNT-01` or Wii Remote Plus `RVL-CNT-01-TR`, without a
DolphinBar. It uses private macOS Bluetooth interfaces and needs more hardware
testing; reconnecting and long sessions may not work yet. A Classic Controller
Pro on a Wii Remote has open problems ([#306](https://github.com/chrissotraidis/kartpad/issues/306)).

## Build it yourself

Developers can build the Mac app from their own disc image. Install the
[Apple build prerequisites](BUILDING.md#prerequisites), then run:

```sh
./scripts/self-build-macos.sh /path/to/your/Mario-Kart-Wii.wbfs
open build/KartPad.app
```

It accepts only the exact pinned development image (checked by SHA-256), fetches
and verifies the pinned dependencies and Retro Rewind inputs, translates both
games, builds and audits the app, and sets `dvd_root` and
`retro_rewind_root` in your KartPad configuration. Back up that configuration
and your saves first if you already use the Mac app. The result stays a private
local build; see [`RIGHTS_AND_LICENSES.md`](../RIGHTS_AND_LICENSES.md) and the
[Apple source-build guide](BUILDING.md#mac-self-build).

Report problems with your macOS version and Mac model; see the
[reporting guide](REPORTING.md).