Hi Eoin,
As of my last knowledge cutoff in January 2022, Apple does not offer an option in the App Store to change the default installation path or add another path for games to be installed on an external drive. Currently, macOS manages application installations, including games, within the Applications folder on the startup volume.
However, there are workarounds that some users employ to install and run games from external drives:
- Symbolic Links (Symlinks): You can create symbolic links to redirect the storage of certain files or folders to an external drive. This method requires some knowledge of the Terminal and Unix commands. It's important to note that not all applications may work seamlessly when stored on an external drive using symlinks.
- Third-Party Software: There are third-party applications available that claim to assist with managing application installations and moving them to external drives. These tools often provide a graphical interface and can handle the complexities of managing applications on external storage.
- Manual Installation and Relocation: Some applications allow for manual installation and relocation of their data files. You can install the application on the internal drive and then move the larger data files or directories to an external drive manually. However, this may not always work for all applications and can be a tedious process.
It's important to keep in mind that while these methods may work for certain applications, they may not be officially supported by Apple and could lead to issues or compatibility problems.
As for Apple's plans regarding the ability to install applications, including games, on external drives directly from the App Store, there hasn't been any official announcement or indication of such a feature as of my last update. However, Apple often considers user feedback and may introduce new features or improvements based on user demand and industry trends. Providing feedback to Apple through official channels, such as the Feedback Assistant app or Apple's website, can help communicate your preferences and suggestions directly to Apple's development team.
Good luck!
Greetings
AntonBernad
