ZWIFT Update 1.47 - Apple Silicon 'M-Series' Support // New Launcher

[@gplama]

So…. Zwift have since changed the dates of the Apple silicon roll-out post the embargo lifting: ** UPDATED : By September 12 / 13 depending on your local time zone, all Mac computers with Apple silicon (i.e. M1 / M2) processors will be able to run Zwift natively, with improved game performance. ** If you’re on macOS it’s likely you can execute the ZwiftAppSilicon game client manually (as was the case with 1.46) for now.

[@roadbikeman]

I’ve got the m2 MacBook, looking forward to seeing this in time for zrl

[@the_joe_reynolds_foundation]

I have an older Mac laptop (macbook pro 2015) that I'm pretty sure doesn't have the M1 or M2 chip, do you know how we may execute the ZwiftAppSilicon game client manually?

[@gplama]

@@the_joe_reynolds_foundation It won't support this new binary.

[@EricWohnig]

As I am notorious for putting my bibs on 10 minutes before an event starts, an update later option is very much welcome.

[@nilseberhardt2667]

I just start zwift and my setup before putting on my cycling clothes :D

[@ChrisP978]

​@@nilseberhardt2667I started doing that after missing a couple of starts.

[@ShamanMick]

This update makes me super happy. I bought an M1 MacBook back when Silicon architecture was being hyped as being able to compete with Windows without dedicated graphics, and suffice to say it has never quite lived up to the promise because developers don't have a lot of interest in porting to a niche architecture (and let's face it, Apple makes it neither easy or compelling). So to finally have one of my most used third party apps switch to Silicon support is a huge step forward.

[@ShamanMick]

@@devonglide1830 I guess part of that is because they have opted to have it run on as many devices as possible

[@lloydmillichap3671]

Is this coming to M1 and M2 iPads too Shane? Thanks for your videos good stuff

[@cyclingjack]

Hope so. Not at the moment as i just checked.

[@andreasbuch7727]

finally, bloody hell have I been waiting for this...

[@TrickyTree84]

Got excited and was hoping for improvements in the graphics profile for the latest apple TV

[@TheHalo14aus]

Yeah I have the latest 4K model and it's just OK at the moment.

[@poutance]

@@TheHalo14ausWell it's 'OK ' as far as you don't try with a proper Mac. I usually use zwift on aTV 4k, but sue my MBP M1 from time to time, and the difference is quite astounding. the aTV looks dull, even the colors, in comparison...

[@jamesengelsma3]

Same

[@davehill4831]

Hey Shane Now Apple TV gen iii’s been out a while. Have you noticed if Zwift have made any tweaks to make it running different / better. If so can you make a comparison to the original 4k model ? Cheers mate

[@gplama]

Still waiting for them to unlock more from the newer ATV4K models. Nothing seen yet.

[@davehill4831]

@@gplama Thanks, that’s a shame been waiting to find out if it’s worth an upgrade 😂

[@Spongeblunt]

The frame pacing on the Mac emulated one is visibly more stuttery especially if you watch the scenery passing by, not that you'd notice if you're head down during an effort.

[@strouja]

Thanks Shane

[@jimpeyton1459]

On another note....Zwift Play controllers are inconsistent in performance. Features disappearing (e.g., Ride On Bombs) and dropouts from time to time. Great news on Update deferral. Thanks as always.

[@fabianmolyneux2308]

Great update. I think to capture some more realism might be to include the hooning ute driver, who despite their tradie background has no concept of the measure of a metre. Maybe also include an in-game button to alert the bunch you're riding in of "car back"

[@TheHalo14aus]

Yeah those emotional support vehicles (Ford Ragers) are bloody dangerous haha

[@TobbytheAustralianShepherd]

Thank you Shane. Does that apply to Mac Mini? Or, do you have experience on how does Zwift run on Mac mini (M2)?

[@mikrdk]

Why would it not apply to the Mac Mini? It has the M-series chip and it runs MacOS.

[@tyecm]

Still waiting for Zwift Play to be sold outside of the US, UK & EU…

[@julianlong]

Good news. Did the Apple TV 2023 get updated yet or did I miss that?

[@gplama]

Nothing new on the ATV front.... Hopefully one day.

[@mister_ray]

Crazy, the latest gen ATV has been out for a long time. I will upgrade to it as soon as Zwift adds support.

[@saracen888]

Good old Apple. It just works

[@jeron1847]

Do you know if this increased performance also comes to iPads running M-series chips?

[@hstaels]

Curious about this one!

[@lukecico5155]

Great. About time for the M series native support. Interesting he was focused on rider shadows but the detail was noticeably better. The detail in background mountains and scenery was much better.

[@gplama]

That's the difference between 'high' and 'ultra' in detail level. I couldn't really spot too much difference.

[@lukecico5155]

​@@gplama Thanks for the reply. I thought both the M1 and Intel apple comparisons were at 'high'. You did mention, though, that it was a different time of day which is probably what I was noticing. Regardless, this looks pretty good. Thanks, Shane. Appreciate the content.

[@gplama]

Ahhhh… Sorry, yes. It was the PC version that was in Ultra.

[@hrpzwift945]

Hi Shane (mr Lama😉), seeing differences between a gaming pc that runs on the highest graphic profile and any other hardware, is highly dependent on what world and route that is being used for the comparison. Makuri Island is one of the world's where differences usually become more noticeable.

[@2011DiverPro]

Hi Shane, Do you know when the video capture for Apple TV will be released ?, thanks

[@gplama]

Last I recall hearing was it was (or was to be) enabled for the 2nd generation ATV 4K and above.

[@2011DiverPro]

@@gplama Thank you for letting me know, it hasn’t appeared as yet, so hopefully soon, appreciate that 👍

[@rjvk1985]

Curious on what this means for iPads on silicon chips.

[@RedshiftDougal]

In the Zwift Forums, Shuji has just commented on this point, saying they're trying to "squeeze higher res settings on iOS devices with M1+ chips, but no specifics or timeline to share at this time". That will go for iPadOS, too.

[@industryrule-4080]

Finally.

[@the_joe_reynolds_foundation]

Is there a correlation between frame rate performance and riding performance? Or internet speed? Say you're sprinting against someone with a faster machine, will that give them an advantage at the finish line? (Edit: and would running a lower resolution of the game improve avatar performance?) In driving games like BeamNG a computer with a better frame rate (and ping) will yield faster lap times. Thanks again for the vids!

[@gplama]

Possibly. Low ping times would be an advantage for sure. In a sport won or lost by 1000s of a second, it would matter. This is a topic that's rarely discussed/addressed as it'd expose some of the flaws in the big-time race results.

[@the_joe_reynolds_foundation]

@@gplama Interesting. Yeah, I was wondering how much info is out there, and just what the gains/loses could be. And dang, if you're closer to the Zwift servers!

[@andrewh5400]

Likely to see optimisation for the Apple TV anytime soon?

[@gplama]

I hope so!

[@kalamarusffm]

What's the real benefit of M1/M2 support? From a user epxecirence POV non. When do they finally support split screen view on iPads? This would be a real gamechanger

[@gplama]

Efficacy. Running things in an emulator adds overhead. With native silicon support they should be able to unlock a lot more from the game in the future too.

[@frankdelatank8454]

Not sure when it dropped... but FINALLY, my custom TrainingPeaks Workout is (almost) a one click process.

[@joaoletelier8735]

Care to explain?

[@mumblecake251]

It looks like the update bumps up the detail to PC level on Mac rather than mobile phone client level quality as it looked like before.

[@timetherington-judge3719]

If this ends my overheating on my M1 macbook it'll be the greoupdate yet!

[@PaulFoye]

Have they done any updates on the Zwift steering.. started a race with brakes fully on! 😳🤣 and the only way to stop the brakes engaging, you need to keep the brake pad pressed 🙄 and the same is happening on group rides with coco

[@gplama]

Hard mode unlocked! 😅

[@PaulFoye]

@@gplama oh I’m scrolling through for my badge 🤪

[@alganders1]

Updated to 1.47 on my Macbook Air M2 but no shadows under the riders? Game in highest setting... What am I missing?? 🤔

[@gplama]

See my pinned comment post.

[@alganders1]

@@gplama Thanks’ 👍

[@OutdoorsJustin]

Just did my second ride on My Whoosh. Any thoughts on that program?

[@gplama]

Looks interesting.... as is the commentary people are posting about it. Like RGT and OneLap, they're not a new player in the market. They really haven't received the traction of Zwift, even though there are claims it's a 'Zwift Killer'.

[@OutdoorsJustin]

Looks like they have the UCI races, taken away from zwift. Might be a big push for/from users. Thanks for the entertaining videos.

[@wallaceharvey2574]

Nice video. Does this mean that the Mac Mini M2 will now produce improved graphics performance with the latest 1.47 Zwift update as well ? I wasn’t sure if this model came with the silicon chip. Does anyone know ? If so, that might be a reasonably economical way to upgrade on the apple ecosystem and take advantage of these new graphical improvements.

[@CanyonWanderer]

Well, M2 means second generation Apple Silicon, so it should!

[@wallaceharvey2574]

Nice - that’s great.

[@spirro78]

I'm still capped at 60fps on my Macbook Pro M1 Pro 14inch. Does that sound right?

[@gplama]

Likely locked to the refresh rate of the screen.

[@spirro78]

@@gplama apparently my external screen has a refresh rate of 144Hz

[@gplama]

What battery save setting are you using in the Zwift settings? (And are you using it on external power or battery?)

[@spirro78]

@@gplama I've got it set to Off - Max Speed. I always have it plugged into power when using Zwift.

[@ibe966]

Strange... Zwift updated to 1.47.0 on my M2 Mac, but when Zwift starts it's still "Kind: Intel" in Activity Monitor...

[@gplama]

Zwift have since changed the roll-out schedule of their Apple Silicon support to September 12-13th. This was announced AFTER their embargo had already lifted. Not ideal. You'll still be able to jump into ~/Library/Application Support/Zwift/ and start ./ZwiftAppSilicon manually... or maybe just rename or copy ZwiftAppSilicon to ZwiftApp and you're good for now.

[@ibe966]

@@gplamaThanks for the info. Must be that they've found something they're not happy with I guess...

[@krzysztoftylek787]

I have just updated the client to 1.47 and the activity monitor still shows zwifapp running intel (m1 MacBook here)

[@gplama]

See my pinned comment.

[@krzysztoftylek787]

@@gplama really strange to introduce an update and then limit its functionality…

[@gplama]

They changed the schedule after the embargo date/time. Not ideal.

[@patrickj4747]

Update later is welcome. I swear every time I'm running late to an event there was an update.

[@gweedsUK]

1.46 is still downloading on the UK site...

[@TheOkinawaBoy]

Same here in LT

[@CanyonWanderer]

Same in NL

[@obikedog]

Shadows - yay! Good for you Zwift! Zwift's graphics still look like something my nephew could do in a weekend compared to Rolla's. At the moment it's not a game changer because I really only use Zwift to run planned workouts on my trainer while I watch Apple TV or KZbin. But when Rolla rounds out Training Peaks support I'll be leaving if Zwift doesn't upgrade their game from its current 90's era graphics quality.

[@scottvessey915]

Deferred updates - hurrah! The number of times I've been caught by forced updates in the past...

[@matthewcertainMD]

what intel chip was that?

[@gplama]

My PC is i7-9700F Gen9 with an Nvidia RTX 2060.

[@matthewcertainMD]

@@gplama curious if this applies to the M1 iPad Air.

[@mattdagger1480]

Sad it takes this long for zwift to make these simple of updates. 15/month from tons of people and it’s just now getting native m1 support. Sad

[@gplama]

I believe their recent switch over to Metal on MacOS was a requirement before rolling this out.

[@indianajonze]

no visual change whatsoever on m1 ipad pro, which is shaping up to be one of the worst purchase decisions i've ever made. was expecting this world of difference, a new era of desktop-quality graphics, and all i got was legacy emulation up the yinyang

[@galenkehler]

Why do they need to wait until I try and USE the software for it to try and apply an update that's been available for several days in most cases? I still don't understand why the game can't update in the background. Everything else does.

[@gplama]

The launcher on Windows does have a background updating feature. It works well here… so well it was already on 1.47 by the time I set up the screen capture to show how deferred updates work.

[@ErickMoreno]

Privacy settings usually don't like software installing new software without your explicit consent. Every major SO does the same.

[@phy2sll]

Zwift, y u no Linux client still? 😢

[@gplama]

There's honestly no commercial reason for this. The overhead of supporting all the distributions would be costly.

[@phy2sll]

@@gplama I know, but I still like to have a moan every now and then!

[@cyhuang9734]

why not play mywoosh

[@gplama]

Or RGT, or OneLap, or FulGaz, or TrainerRoad, or Rolla. There's a number of alternatives.

[@m1n1t3]

Just 2,5 years late to the native support. Finally…

[@gmen1305]

Is it just me or is Zwift doing updates every 1-2 weeks - which is getting annoying?

[@andreasolsson2336]

higher update cadence is a good thing - might even see the new bugs to fixed bugs ratio decrease now =)

[@RedshiftDougal]

Officially announced as every two weeks. That was some months ago and they’ve kept more or less to that so far.

[@johntrussell7228]

Apple Silicon launched Nov 2020…..how the hell does it take Zwift 3 years to finally launch support? They should not be applauded for this, they should be blasted for it. No excuse for that type of lazy development cycle…..

[@gplama]

It’s their own 3D engine. They had to first switch to Metal before they could do this. I really don’t get the negativity around this. Look at the emulated performance, it was sufficient, for the time being. They then make progress… and people shit on them for it? What about last week when they didn’t support it at all? This is an interesting update that doesn’t deserve anything more than “oh, ok, nice”. Had they increased the sub price for this, or not done it at all, fire away.