diff --git a/release/datafiles/userdef/userdef_default.c b/release/datafiles/userdef/userdef_default.c
index b4a1ab6d5f8..24e093833c4 100644
--- a/release/datafiles/userdef/userdef_default.c
+++ b/release/datafiles/userdef/userdef_default.c
@@ -14,6 +14,8 @@
 
 #include "BKE_blender_version.h"
 
+#include "GPU_platform.h"
+
 #include "BLO_readfile.h" /* own include */
 
 const UserDef U_default = {
@@ -99,6 +101,7 @@ const UserDef U_default = {
     .gp_euclideandist = 2,
     .gp_eraser = 25,
     .gp_settings = 0,
+    .gpu_backend = GPU_BACKEND_OPENGL,
 
     /** Initialized by: #BKE_studiolight_default. */
     .light_param = {{0}},
diff --git a/release/scripts/startup/bl_ui/space_userpref.py b/release/scripts/startup/bl_ui/space_userpref.py
index 759b222c562..44bc807c7dd 100644
--- a/release/scripts/startup/bl_ui/space_userpref.py
+++ b/release/scripts/startup/bl_ui/space_userpref.py
@@ -604,6 +604,27 @@ class USERPREF_PT_system_cycles_devices(SystemPanel, CenterAlignMixIn, Panel):
             del addon
 
 
+class USERPREF_PT_system_gpu_backend(SystemPanel, CenterAlignMixIn, Panel):
+    bl_label = "GPU Backend"
+
+    @classmethod
+    def poll(cls, _context):
+        # Only for Apple so far
+        import sys
+        return sys.platform == "darwin"
+
+    def draw_centered(self, context, layout):
+        import gpu
+        prefs = context.preferences
+        system = prefs.system
+
+        col = layout.column()
+        col.prop(system, "gpu_backend")
+
+        if system.gpu_backend != gpu.platform.backend_type_get():
+            layout.label(text="Requires a restart of Blender to take effect.", icon='INFO')
+
+
 class USERPREF_PT_system_os_settings(SystemPanel, CenterAlignMixIn, Panel):
     bl_label = "Operating System Settings"
 
@@ -2406,6 +2427,7 @@ classes = (
     USERPREF_PT_animation_fcurves,
 
     USERPREF_PT_system_cycles_devices,
+    USERPREF_PT_system_gpu_backend,
     USERPREF_PT_system_os_settings,
     USERPREF_PT_system_memory,
     USERPREF_PT_system_video_sequencer,
diff --git a/source/blender/blenkernel/BKE_blender_version.h b/source/blender/blenkernel/BKE_blender_version.h
index 91a458e347f..7c241a4fa12 100644
--- a/source/blender/blenkernel/BKE_blender_version.h
+++ b/source/blender/blenkernel/BKE_blender_version.h
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ extern "C" {
 
 /* Blender file format version. */
 #define BLENDER_FILE_VERSION BLENDER_VERSION
-#define BLENDER_FILE_SUBVERSION 4
+#define BLENDER_FILE_SUBVERSION 5
 
 /* Minimum Blender version that supports reading file written with the current
  * version. Older Blender versions will test this and show a warning if the file
diff --git a/source/blender/blenloader/CMakeLists.txt b/source/blender/blenloader/CMakeLists.txt
index 86793d38b0b..a7e99e7df2e 100644
--- a/source/blender/blenloader/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/source/blender/blenloader/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ set(INC
   ../depsgraph
   ../draw
   ../editors/include
+  ../gpu
   ../imbuf
   ../makesdna
   ../makesrna
diff --git a/source/blender/blenloader/intern/versioning_userdef.c b/source/blender/blenloader/intern/versioning_userdef.c
index b4890131861..10a21356c8f 100644
--- a/source/blender/blenloader/intern/versioning_userdef.c
+++ b/source/blender/blenloader/intern/versioning_userdef.c
@@ -31,6 +31,8 @@
 
 #include "BLO_readfile.h"
 
+#include "GPU_platform.h"
+
 #include "readfile.h" /* Own include. */
 
 #include "WM_types.h"
@@ -766,6 +768,11 @@ void blo_do_versions_userdef(UserDef *userdef)
     userdef->dupflag |= USER_DUP_CURVES | USER_DUP_POINTCLOUD;
   }
 
+  /* Set GPU backend to OpenGL. */
+  if (!USER_VERSION_ATLEAST(305, 5)) {
+    userdef->gpu_backend = GPU_BACKEND_OPENGL;
+  }
+
   /**
    * Versioning code until next subversion bump goes here.
    *
diff --git a/source/blender/gpu/GPU_context.h b/source/blender/gpu/GPU_context.h
index ac82774039a..fd20283380f 100644
--- a/source/blender/gpu/GPU_context.h
+++ b/source/blender/gpu/GPU_context.h
@@ -25,6 +25,30 @@ void GPU_backend_type_selection_set(const eGPUBackendType backend);
 eGPUBackendType GPU_backend_type_selection_get(void);
 eGPUBackendType GPU_backend_get_type(void);
 
+/**
+ * Detect the most suited eGPUBackendType.
+ *
+ * - The detected backend will be set in `GPU_backend_type_selection_set`.
+ * - When GPU_backend_type_selection_is_overridden it checks the overridden backend.
+ *   When not overridden it checks a default list.
+ * - OpenGL backend will be checked as fallback for Metal.
+ *
+ * Returns true when detection found a supported backend, otherwise returns false.
+ * When no supported backend is found GPU_backend_type_selection_set is called with
+ * GPU_BACKEND_NONE.
+ */
+bool GPU_backend_type_selection_detect(void);
+
+/**
+ * Alter the GPU_backend_type_selection_detect to only test a specific backend
+ */
+void GPU_backend_type_selection_set_override(eGPUBackendType backend_type);
+
+/**
+ * Check if the GPU_backend_type_selection_detect is overridden to only test a specific backend.
+ */
+bool GPU_backend_type_selection_is_overridden(void);
+
 /** Opaque type hiding blender::gpu::Context. */
 typedef struct GPUContext GPUContext;
 
diff --git a/source/blender/gpu/intern/gpu_context.cc b/source/blender/gpu/intern/gpu_context.cc
index 0443417a32a..101542802e6 100644
--- a/source/blender/gpu/intern/gpu_context.cc
+++ b/source/blender/gpu/intern/gpu_context.cc
@@ -227,11 +227,14 @@ void GPU_render_step()
  * Until a global switch is added, Metal also needs to be enabled in GHOST_ContextCGL:
  * `m_useMetalForRendering = true`. */
 static eGPUBackendType g_backend_type = GPU_BACKEND_OPENGL;
+static std::optional<eGPUBackendType> g_backend_type_override = std::nullopt;
+static std::optional<bool> g_backend_type_supported = std::nullopt;
 static GPUBackend *g_backend = nullptr;
 
 void GPU_backend_type_selection_set(const eGPUBackendType backend)
 {
   g_backend_type = backend;
+  g_backend_type_supported = std::nullopt;
 }
 
 eGPUBackendType GPU_backend_type_selection_get()
@@ -239,7 +242,44 @@ eGPUBackendType GPU_backend_type_selection_get()
   return g_backend_type;
 }
 
-bool GPU_backend_supported(void)
+void GPU_backend_type_selection_set_override(const eGPUBackendType backend_type)
+{
+  g_backend_type_override = backend_type;
+}
+
+bool GPU_backend_type_selection_is_overridden(void)
+{
+  return g_backend_type_override.has_value();
+}
+
+bool GPU_backend_type_selection_detect(void)
+{
+  blender::Vector<eGPUBackendType> backends_to_check;
+  if (GPU_backend_type_selection_is_overridden()) {
+    backends_to_check.append(*g_backend_type_override);
+  }
+  else {
+    backends_to_check.append(GPU_BACKEND_OPENGL);
+  }
+
+  /* Add fallback to OpenGL when Metal backend is requested on a platform that doens't support
+   * metal. */
+  if (backends_to_check[0] == GPU_BACKEND_METAL) {
+    backends_to_check.append(GPU_BACKEND_OPENGL);
+  }
+
+  for (const eGPUBackendType backend_type : backends_to_check) {
+    GPU_backend_type_selection_set(backend_type);
+    if (GPU_backend_supported()) {
+      return true;
+    }
+  }
+
+  GPU_backend_type_selection_set(GPU_BACKEND_NONE);
+  return false;
+}
+
+static bool gpu_backend_supported()
 {
   switch (g_backend_type) {
     case GPU_BACKEND_OPENGL:
@@ -266,6 +306,14 @@ bool GPU_backend_supported(void)
   }
 }
 
+bool GPU_backend_supported()
+{
+  if (!g_backend_type_supported.has_value()) {
+    g_backend_type_supported = gpu_backend_supported();
+  }
+  return *g_backend_type_supported;
+}
+
 static void gpu_backend_create()
 {
   BLI_assert(g_backend == nullptr);
diff --git a/source/blender/makesdna/DNA_userdef_types.h b/source/blender/makesdna/DNA_userdef_types.h
index 8a644803fd7..18c4508efae 100644
--- a/source/blender/makesdna/DNA_userdef_types.h
+++ b/source/blender/makesdna/DNA_userdef_types.h
@@ -828,7 +828,10 @@ typedef struct UserDef {
   /** Seconds to zoom around current frame. */
   float view_frame_seconds;
 
-  char _pad7[6];
+  /** #eGPUBackendType */
+  short gpu_backend;
+
+  char _pad7[4];
 
   /** Private, defaults to 20 for 72 DPI setting. */
   short widget_unit;
diff --git a/source/blender/makesrna/intern/rna_userdef.c b/source/blender/makesrna/intern/rna_userdef.c
index b93983d0a87..db12ac82f38 100644
--- a/source/blender/makesrna/intern/rna_userdef.c
+++ b/source/blender/makesrna/intern/rna_userdef.c
@@ -29,6 +29,8 @@
 #include "RNA_define.h"
 #include "RNA_enum_types.h"
 
+#include "GPU_platform.h"
+
 #include "UI_interface_icons.h"
 
 #include "rna_internal.h"
@@ -138,6 +140,13 @@ static const EnumPropertyItem rna_enum_userdef_viewport_aa_items[] = {
     {0, NULL, 0, NULL, NULL},
 };
 
+const EnumPropertyItem rna_enum_preference_gpu_backend_items[] = {
+    {GPU_BACKEND_OPENGL, "OPENGL", 0, "OpenGL", "Use OpenGL backend"},
+    {GPU_BACKEND_METAL, "METAL", 0, "Metal", "Use Metal backend"},
+    {GPU_BACKEND_VULKAN, "VULKAN", 0, "Vulkan", "Use Vulkan backend"},
+    {0, NULL, 0, NULL, NULL},
+};
+
 #ifdef RNA_RUNTIME
 
 #  include "BLI_math_vector.h"
@@ -1031,6 +1040,33 @@ int rna_show_statusbar_vram_editable(struct PointerRNA *UNUSED(ptr), const char
   return GPU_mem_stats_supported() ? PROP_EDITABLE : 0;
 }
 
+static const EnumPropertyItem *rna_preference_gpu_backend_itemf(struct bContext *UNUSED(C),
+                                                                PointerRNA *UNUSED(ptr),
+                                                                PropertyRNA *UNUSED(prop),
+                                                                bool *r_free)
+{
+  int totitem = 0;
+  EnumPropertyItem *result = NULL;
+  for (int i = 0; rna_enum_preference_gpu_backend_items[i].identifier != NULL; i++) {
+    const EnumPropertyItem *item = &rna_enum_preference_gpu_backend_items[i];
+#  ifndef WITH_METAL_BACKEND
+    if (item->value == GPU_BACKEND_METAL) {
+      continue;
+    }
+#  endif
+#  ifndef WITH_VULKAN_BACKEND
+    if (item->value == GPU_BACKEND_VULKAN) {
+      continue;
+    }
+#  endif
+    RNA_enum_item_add(&result, &totitem, item);
+  }
+
+  RNA_enum_item_end(&result, &totitem);
+  *r_free = true;
+  return result;
+}
+
 #else
 
 #  define USERDEF_TAG_DIRTY_PROPERTY_UPDATE_ENABLE \
@@ -5604,6 +5640,16 @@ static void rna_def_userdef_system(BlenderRNA *brna)
                            "modifiers in the stack");
   RNA_def_property_update(prop, 0, "rna_UserDef_subdivision_update");
 
+  /* GPU backend selection */
+  prop = RNA_def_property(srna, "gpu_backend", PROP_ENUM, PROP_NONE);
+  RNA_def_property_enum_sdna(prop, NULL, "gpu_backend");
+  RNA_def_property_enum_items(prop, rna_enum_preference_gpu_backend_items);
+  RNA_def_property_enum_funcs(prop, NULL, NULL, "rna_preference_gpu_backend_itemf");
+  RNA_def_property_ui_text(
+      prop,
+      "GPU Backend",
+      "GPU backend to use. (Requires restarting Blender for changes to take effect)");
+
   /* Audio */
 
   prop = RNA_def_property(srna, "audio_mixing_buffer", PROP_ENUM, PROP_NONE);
diff --git a/source/blender/windowmanager/intern/wm_files.c b/source/blender/windowmanager/intern/wm_files.c
index 7b1fcf2a231..712bee6ef8b 100644
--- a/source/blender/windowmanager/intern/wm_files.c
+++ b/source/blender/windowmanager/intern/wm_files.c
@@ -107,6 +107,8 @@
 #include "GHOST_C-api.h"
 #include "GHOST_Path-api.h"
 
+#include "GPU_context.h"
+
 #include "UI_interface.h"
 #include "UI_resources.h"
 #include "UI_view2d.h"
@@ -442,6 +444,17 @@ static void wm_window_match_do(bContext *C,
 /** \name Preferences Initialization & Versioning
  * \{ */
 
+static void wm_gpu_backend_override_from_userdef(void)
+{
+  /* Check if GPU backend is already set from the command line arguments. The command line
+   * arguments have higher priority than user preferences. */
+  if (GPU_backend_type_selection_is_overridden()) {
+    return;
+  }
+
+  GPU_backend_type_selection_set_override(U.gpu_backend);
+}
+
 /**
  * In case #UserDef was read, re-initialize values that depend on it.
  */
@@ -475,6 +488,9 @@ static void wm_init_userdef(Main *bmain)
   WM_init_input_devices();
 
   BLO_sanitize_experimental_features_userpref_blend(&U);
+
+  wm_gpu_backend_override_from_userdef();
+  GPU_backend_type_selection_detect();
 }
 
 /* return codes */
diff --git a/source/creator/creator_args.c b/source/creator/creator_args.c
index 2ebdcdb35ba..e942c0d18ee 100644
--- a/source/creator/creator_args.c
+++ b/source/creator/creator_args.c
@@ -1150,11 +1150,7 @@ static int arg_handle_gpu_backend_set(int argc, const char **argv, void *UNUSED(
     return 0;
   }
 
-  GPU_backend_type_selection_set(gpu_backend);
-  if (!GPU_backend_supported()) {
-    printf("\nError: GPU backend not supported.\n");
-    return 0;
-  }
+  GPU_backend_type_selection_set_override(gpu_backend);
 
   return 1;
 }