Apple officially announced at WWDC 2025 that macOS 26 "Tahoe" will be the last version to support Intel Macs. Starting next year, with the release of macOS 27, all Macs with Intel processors will be phased out. New macOS versions will then only run on Apple Silicon—that is, devices with M1, M2, or newer chips.
Since switching to Apple Silicon in 2020, Apple has gradually reduced support for Intel hardware. The announcement at WWDC now makes it clear that Intel Macs no longer have a future in the Apple ecosystem. macOS 27 is being developed exclusively for Apple Silicon. The separation is now officially complete. For you as an Intel Mac user, this means you should know what's coming – and how long your device will still be useful.
macOS 26 is the last version with Intel support
Apple has confirmed that macOS 26 "Tahoe" will be the last version compatible with certain Intel Macs. Some Intel models already no longer run this version. macOS 27 will end support entirely. This affects, for example, the Intel-based MacBook Air and the Intel-based Mac mini—both of which are already no longer supported by macOS 26. Devices currently running Tahoe will likely be excluded from macOS 27.
These Intel Macs are still compatible – but not for much longer
The following Intel-based Macs are still compatible with macOS 26:
- MacBook Pro 16” (2019)
- MacBook Pro 13” (2020, Intel version)
- iMac (2020, Intel version)
- Mac Pro (2019)
macOS 27 will no longer support these models. This means that starting in 2026, there will be no feature updates for any Intel Mac.
Security updates are still available – for a limited time
Even though Apple is ending feature support, that doesn't mean Intel Macs will immediately become insecure. Apple has announced that security updates will be available for the affected models for another three years. So you'll still receive critical patches until around 2029. However, new features, designs, or system functions will be excluded starting with macOS 27.
Apple Silicon becomes a prerequisite
By focusing on Apple Silicon, Apple aims to more closely align macOS development with its own hardware. This means better performance, longer battery life, and new technologies and features specifically designed for the M1, M2, and newer chips. What this means for you: If you want to stay up-to-date with macOS, you need an Apple Silicon Mac. The first devices with the M1 chip launched in 2020. These include the MacBook Air M1, the MacBook Pro M1, and the Mac mini M1. More powerful models like the MacBook Pro with M1 Pro and M1 Max followed in 2021. These devices are fully compatible with macOS 27 and later versions.
Intel Macs at the end: time for a change?
If you're using an Intel Mac, you should consider how long you plan to keep using it. As long as security updates are available, you can continue using it—but without new features and app compatibility, the user experience will be limited over time. Anyone who works productively with their Mac or wants to use the latest software should plan to upgrade to an Apple Silicon model in the coming months. Apple is drawing a clear line with this step. macOS will be developed exclusively on its own hardware starting in 2026. For Intel users, macOS 26 is the last major update—and the end of an era. The best products for you: Our Amazon Storefront offers a wide selection of accessories, including accessories for HomeKit. (Image: Apple)
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