You can download League of Legends, commonly called LoL, for free from Riot Games. The official installer supports 64-bit Windows 11, Windows 10, and compatible Mac computers. Install the Riot Client, sign in with a Riot account, and let the client download the remaining game files.
Official LoL download: Download League of Legends for Windows or Mac
Download safety: Use the official League of Legends website. Modified installers and third-party download sites can contain outdated files, unwanted software, or stolen Riot login pages.
| Download detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Game | League of Legends |
| Common name | LoL |
| Developer | Riot Games |
| Price | Free to download and play |
| Supported desktop systems | Windows 11, Windows 10, and macOS |
| Installer | Riot Client installer |
| Internet connection | Required for installation, updates, login, and gameplay |
| Account | Free Riot account required |
How to Download League of Legends on Windows 11/10
The Windows installer downloads the Riot Client first. The Riot Client then installs League of Legends, required game components, updates, and Riot Vanguard.
- Open the official League of Legends download page.
- Select Download for Windows.
- Save the installer to your Downloads folder.
- Open the downloaded
Install League of Legendsfile. - Select Yes when Windows asks for administrator permission.
- Choose an installation location or keep the default folder.
- Allow the Riot Client to download League of Legends.
- Sign in with your Riot account or create a free account.
- Restart the computer when Riot Vanguard requests it.
- Open the Riot Client and select Play.
The initial installer is small, but the Riot Client downloads several gigabytes of game data afterward. Keep the computer connected to the internet and make sure the installation drive has enough free space for the game and future updates.
Default League of Legends Installation Folder
League of Legends normally installs in the following Windows folder:
C:\Riot Games\League of LegendsThe Riot Client usually installs here:
C:\Riot Games\Riot ClientYou can select another drive during installation when the main drive has limited storage. Avoid moving the folders manually after installation because the Riot Client can lose track of the game files.
How to Download League of Legends on Mac
Riot provides a separate League of Legends installer for macOS. Do not open the Windows installer through Wine, Parallels, or another compatibility tool when the official Mac installer supports your computer.
- Visit the official League of Legends download page.
- Select Download Mac Installer.
- Open the downloaded installer from Finder.
- Drag or install League of Legends into the Applications folder when prompted.
- Open the Riot Client.
- Enter your Riot account details or create an account.
- Allow the client to download the complete game.
- Open League of Legends after the update finishes.
Riot officially provides a Mac version, although its support documentation states that native support focuses on Intel-based macOS. Apple silicon Macs can require Apple’s compatibility technology, and performance varies by model and macOS version.
Allow the LoL Installer in macOS
If macOS blocks the installer because it was downloaded from the internet:
- Open System Settings.
- Select Privacy & Security.
- Scroll to the security section.
- Find the message about the Riot or League of Legends installer.
- Select Open Anyway.
- Confirm the action with your Mac password or Touch ID.
Only approve the file when you downloaded it directly from the official League of Legends website.
League of Legends System Requirements
League of Legends requires a 64-bit operating system and supported graphics technology. Windows PCs need DirectX 11 feature level 11_0, while Macs need Metal support. Riot can update its requirements as older processors, graphics cards, and operating systems lose support.
| Component | Windows requirement | Mac requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Supported 64-bit Windows 10 or Windows 11 release | Supported 64-bit macOS release |
| Graphics technology | DirectX 11 feature level 11_0 | Metal-compatible graphics |
| Memory | At least 2 GB, with more recommended | At least 2 GB, with more recommended |
| Storage | SSD or hard drive with enough space for the game and updates | Enough free storage for the game and updates |
| Internet | Broadband connection | Broadband connection |
| Architecture | 64-bit | 64-bit |
Check Riot’s current League of Legends system requirements before downloading the game on an older computer.
Does League of Legends Work on Windows 11?
League of Legends supports Windows 11. Riot Vanguard can require security features such as TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, Exploit Protection, and supported system drivers on Windows 11 computers.
Check TPM and Secure Boot before troubleshooting Vanguard errors:
- Press Windows + R.
- Enter
tpm.mscand press Enter. - Confirm that TPM is ready and its specification version is 2.0.
- Press Windows + R again.
- Enter
msinfo32and press Enter. - Check that BIOS Mode says UEFI.
- Check that Secure Boot State says On.
Changing firmware security settings incorrectly can prevent Windows from starting. Follow the instructions from the PC or motherboard manufacturer when TPM or Secure Boot is disabled.
How to Create a Riot Account for LoL
You need a Riot account to launch League of Legends and save your progress.
- Open the Riot Client or the official League of Legends website.
- Select Create Account or Play for Free.
- Enter your email address and date of birth.
- Create a Riot username and password.
- Select the correct game region.
- Complete any email or security verification.
- Return to the Riot Client and sign in.
Select the region carefully because it affects the available servers, latency, friends list, and account progression. Riot can charge for some account-region transfers.
How to Update League of Legends on PC or Mac
The Riot Client checks for updates whenever you open League of Legends.
- Close any running League of Legends match or client window.
- Open the Riot Client.
- Sign in to your account.
- Select League of Legends from the game list.
- Wait while the client checks and downloads updates.
- Select Play when installation finishes.
Keep the Riot Client open until the download and file-verification process reaches completion. Pausing the installation or shutting down the computer can extend the next update.
Fix League of Legends Download or Installation Problems
Run the Installer as Administrator
- Right-click the League of Legends installer.
- Select Run as administrator.
- Approve the User Account Control prompt.
- Start the installation again.
League of Legends needs administrator access to create folders, install Riot Vanguard, and register required services.
Check Available Storage
Open Settings > System > Storage on Windows or System Settings > General > Storage on Mac. Remove unnecessary files or select another installation drive when space is low.
Restart the Riot Client
- Close League of Legends and the Riot Client.
- Open Task Manager on Windows or Activity Monitor on Mac.
- End remaining Riot and League processes.
- Restart the computer.
- Open the Riot Client and resume the download.
Allow Riot Through the Firewall
Security software can block the installer or patching service. On Windows, allow these files through the firewall when they exist in the installation folder:
RiotClientServices.exeLeagueClient.exeLeagueClientUx.exeLeague of Legends.exevgc.exe
Do not permanently disable antivirus protection. Add exceptions only for files located in the official Riot Games and Riot Vanguard folders.
Download a Fresh Installer
Delete the existing installer when Windows or macOS reports that the file is damaged or incomplete. Download a new copy from the official League of Legends page and run it again.
Fix League of Legends Not Opening After Installation
- Restart the computer so Riot Vanguard can start correctly.
- Install all available Windows or macOS updates.
- Update the graphics driver from Intel, AMD, NVIDIA, Apple, or the computer manufacturer.
- Open the Riot Client as an administrator on Windows.
- Close overlays, monitoring tools, and unrelated background software.
- Check the Riot service status for maintenance or server problems.
- Reinstall Riot Vanguard when a Vanguard error appears.
Reinstall Riot Vanguard
- Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
- Find Riot Vanguard.
- Select Uninstall.
- Restart Windows.
- Open League of Legends through the Riot Client.
- Allow the client to reinstall Vanguard.
- Restart Windows again before playing.
Riot Vanguard is required for League of Legends on Windows. Removing it prevents the game from launching until the Riot Client installs it again.
Can You Download LoL from Microsoft Store or Steam?
League of Legends is not distributed through Steam or the standard Microsoft Store game catalogue. Download the PC or Mac installer from Riot Games and manage the installation through the Riot Client.
Avoid websites offering a “League of Legends offline installer,” portable version, cracked client, APK for PC, or modified Riot launcher. League of Legends requires an online Riot account and an active connection to Riot’s servers.
Can You Play League of Legends Without Downloading It?
League of Legends does not provide an official browser version or cloud edition. You must install the Riot Client and game files on a supported Windows PC or Mac.
League of Legends: Wild Rift is a separate mobile game. It does not replace the Windows or Mac version and uses different gameplay, servers, progression, and content.
How to Uninstall League of Legends
Uninstall LoL from Windows 11 or Windows 10
- Close League of Legends and the Riot Client.
- Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
- Find League of Legends.
- Select the menu beside it and choose Uninstall.
- Remove Riot Vanguard separately when no other installed Riot game needs it.
- Remove the Riot Client when you no longer use any Riot game.
Uninstall LoL from Mac
- Close League of Legends and the Riot Client.
- Open Finder.
- Select Applications.
- Move League of Legends to the Trash.
- Remove remaining Riot folders only when you no longer use another Riot game.
- Empty the Trash.
FAQs
Is League of Legends free to download?
Yes. League of Legends is free to download and play on supported Windows and Mac computers. Riot sells optional cosmetic items and other in-game content.
What does LoL mean?
LoL is the common abbreviation for League of Legends, Riot Games’ multiplayer online battle arena game.
Can I download LoL on Windows 11?
Yes. Download the Windows installer from Riot Games. Windows 11 systems must meet Riot Vanguard security requirements, including supported TPM and Secure Boot configurations where required.
Can I download League of Legends on Windows 10?
Yes, provided the PC runs a supported 64-bit Windows 10 release and meets the current hardware and graphics requirements.
Is League of Legends available for Mac?
Yes. Riot provides a separate Mac installer. Check the current macOS requirements before installing it on an older Intel or Apple silicon Mac.
Can I download League of Legends on a Chromebook?
Riot does not provide an official ChromeOS version. Windows virtual machines and unofficial Linux or Android methods do not provide a supported desktop LoL installation.
Can League of Legends run on a low-end PC?
League of Legends supports relatively modest hardware, but the computer still needs a supported 64-bit operating system, compatible graphics hardware, enough memory, and DirectX 11 feature level 11_0.
How much storage does League of Legends need?
The required space changes as Riot adds patches and game content. Keep substantially more free space than the initial download requires because the client needs room to download and apply updates.
Why is the LoL download taking so long?
Slow downloads usually result from internet congestion, limited disk performance, security software scanning each file, other active downloads, or temporary Riot server demand. Restart the client and use a stable wired or Wi-Fi connection.
Does League of Legends require Riot Vanguard?
League of Legends requires Riot Vanguard on Windows. The installer adds Vanguard automatically, and Windows normally needs a restart before the game can launch.
Can I install LoL without the Riot Client?
No. The Riot Client handles installation, account login, game updates, file repair, and launching League of Legends.
Can I move League of Legends to another drive?
The safest method is to uninstall the game and reinstall it on the new drive. Manually moving its folders can break the installation path stored by the Riot Client.
Is there a League of Legends offline installer?
No official offline or portable version exists. The installer and Riot Client require internet access to download game files, update the client, authenticate the account, and connect to matches.
