Can Apple M1 or M2 chips mine Monero efficiently?

Yes, Apple M1 and M2 chips can mine Monero, and they can be reasonably efficient in terms of electricity use when you run mining software built for Apple silicon. That does not guarantee a profit: they are better suited to trying mining on a Mac you already own than buying one just to mine.

Why M1 and M2 can do the job

Monero uses RandomX, a mining algorithm—the set of calculations your computer performs to help secure the network. RandomX favors CPUs, the general-purpose processors inside computers, rather than graphics chips.

Your M1 or M2 has both performance cores for demanding work and efficiency cores for lighter tasks. Mining software can use these CPU cores, but running every core is not necessarily the most efficient choice.

Memory and processor cache also matter. Cache is small, fast memory close to the processor. RandomX’s usual sizing guideline is about 2 MB of L3 cache per mining thread, meaning each separate stream of mining work. Apple silicon has a different cache layout from many desktop CPUs, so that guideline is not a simple core-count formula for your Mac.

RandomX’s fast mode also uses a dataset of about 2,080 MB, plus other working memory. An 8 GB Mac can run it, but mining alongside demanding apps may leave less room for your normal work.

Native software beats browser mining

For the best performance, use a reputable miner with an ARM64 build, which runs directly on Apple silicon. XMRig is one example; check its current macOS support and installation instructions.

An Intel-only miner running through Rosetta, Apple’s compatibility system for Intel apps, can add overhead. Use a native build where available.

Mining through your browser is a different proposition. Browser code has limits on memory access and processor features, so it generally cannot match a well-tuned native RandomX miner.

If you try browser mining, check:

• Whether it actually mines Monero or mines something else and pays you in XMR.
• What fees it charges.
• Whether its minimum payout is realistically reachable.

Never share your wallet’s recovery phrase with a mining service. Receiving payouts does not require it.

Cooling matters more than the chip name

An M2 is not automatically the better mining choice in every comparison. The specific Mac, cooling system, power settings, and mining software all affect sustained performance.

• Fanless MacBook Air: Silent, but sustained mining can heat it up enough to slow the processor.
• Actively cooled MacBook Pro: Better able to sustain a demanding workload, though fans may become audible.
• Mac mini: Often more practical for continuous testing because it has active cooling and no battery.

Keep vents clear and avoid mining on battery power. Continuous mining adds heat and uses resources you might prefer to keep available for everyday tasks.

Measure before you commit

Compare hashrate, the number of mining calculations completed per second, with power measured at the wall. This includes the whole Mac, not just the chip.

Try fewer mining threads, let temperatures stabilize, and compare results. The highest hashrate may not give you the best output per watt.

Use a live Monero mining calculator with your measured hashrate, electricity rate, and pool fees. Do not assume older benchmark results predict today’s earnings.

The bottom line

Your M1 or M2 can be an electricity-efficient way to experiment with native Monero mining. Browser mining is less competitive, and buying a Mac specifically to mine is hard to justify without careful cost calculations.