Eye and Head Tracking on Linux and macOS, With Just a Webcam

September 9, 2026 In Gaming, News By Eyeware

Since September 4, 2026, the Beam Eye Tracker runs natively on Linux and macOS, as well as Windows. It turns the webcam you already own into an eye and head tracker for PC games: you look around a truck cab or a cockpit by moving your head and eyes, the way you would in the real seat.

This post covers why that matters if you play on Linux or a Mac, how Beam reaches your games there, and what you need. The full release notes are in the Beam Eye Tracker 2.6 announcement.

At a glance

  • Platforms: Windows, Linux and macOS, on Steam and Standalone.
  • Hardware: just your webcam. Any webcam works; 720p or higher is recommended.
  • Linux: the Standalone version ships as an AppImage.
  • macOS: macOS 12.0 or newer.
  • Games: Windows games running in Proton or Wine on Linux, or in CrossOver on macOS.

Why it matters

  • Your games moved, your tracking can too. Proton and Wine run Windows games on Linux, and CrossOver does the same on a Mac. Until 2.6, the Beam Eye Tracker was one of the things a player had to leave behind on Windows.
  • No extra hardware. Nothing to clip on, nothing to mount. The webcam on your monitor or laptop is the tracker.
  • The same app on every platform. One Beam Eye Tracker on Windows, Linux and macOS, with the same Immersive Camera and the same Community Profiles.
  • Developers get the same reach. Beam SDK 2.2.0 adds native support for Linux and macOS. Downloads and documentation are at docs.beam.eyeware.tech.

How Beam reaches your games

On Linux and macOS, Beam reaches Windows games running in a compatibility environment: Proton or Wine on Linux, CrossOver on macOS. The Game Connection settings page discovers and configures those environments.

  1. Start Beam, then launch the game or its launcher.
  2. Open General > Game Connection. The game's compatibility environment appears in the list.
  3. Choose the driver on that environment's row. The Optimized driver reduces latency and delivers smoother in-game camera movement when using Immersive Camera. If a game is incompatible, select the Compatibility driver instead.

A few games need a setting changed inside the game itself. Each game has its own guide in the game setup guides, with the steps for Linux and macOS. The Game Connection guide explains every connection method.

What players use it for

  • Driving and trucking sims: check your mirrors and look through the side window at a junction.
  • Flight sims: look around the cockpit and keep track of traffic outside it.
  • Space sims: glance across your instruments and out of the canopy.
  • Racing: look into the next corner before you turn in.

Beam works with hundreds of PC games. Direct Game Camera Control covers connecting to games without a second app, and Community Profiles covers starting from settings other players have already tuned.

Try the Beam Eye Tracker risk-free

The Standalone version from beam.eyeware.tech comes with a 14-day money-back guarantee, and the Steam store page has a free 3-hour demo.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need special hardware?

No. Just your webcam. Any webcam works, and 720p or higher is recommended.

Which macOS version do I need?

macOS 12.0 or newer.

How do I install Beam on Linux?

The Standalone version ships as an AppImage. The Steam version installs through Steam.

Which compatibility environments are supported?

Proton and Wine on Linux, and CrossOver on macOS.

Can I build my own app for Linux or macOS?

Yes. Beam SDK 2.2.0 adds native Linux and macOS support, plus Python 3.14 support and beta support for Godot and JavaScript. It requires Beam Eye Tracker 2.6.3 or newer.