Apple approves AMD and Nvidia eGPU drivers for Mac, targeting AI workloads

Apple has officially signed macOS drivers enabling external graphics processing units from AMD and Nvidia to operate on Mac systems, marking a significant policy shift after years of restricted eGPU support, the developer behind the software announced. The approval covers drivers designed primarily for artificial intelligence and machine learning acceleration rather than gaming, according to TinyBox, the company that developed the software. Previously, Mac users seeking external GPU capabilities faced workarounds, deprecated APIs, or complete incompatibility with Nvidia hardware. The sanctioned drivers specifically target AI inference and training workloads, reflecting Apple's strategic emphasis on on-device and local AI processing capabilities amid competitive pressure from Windows-based AI workstations. Industry observers note the move could democratize access to high-performance AI development tools for Mac-based researchers and developers who have been limited to Apple's proprietary silicon. The drivers support select Nvidia RTX and AMD Radeon cards through Thunderbolt enclosures. Apple has not issued broader policy guidance on whether expanded eGPU gaming support might follow, maintaining its historical separation between professional compute and consumer graphics priorities.