Apple has informed developers via email that universal Mac apps are now permitted to remove support for Intel-based computers. Previously, this was prohibited. For owners of Intel-based Macs, this means that while the system will continue to receive security updates, the apps running on it may no longer receive them.
The message was sent to developers in the Mac App Store on Tuesday. It concerns universal apps that require at least macOS 13 Ventura: These apps can now change their build settings to "arm64" and thus be shipped exclusively for Apple Silicon. Apple cites a simpler development process and smaller download sizes as advantages. This move is part of the roadmap the company has set for phasing out Intel, which macOS 27 Golden Gate concludes with the complete removal of Intel support.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Universal Mac App Store apps from macOS 13 onwards are allowed to remove Intel support; previously this was not permitted.
- Affected apps will no longer deliver updates to Intel Macs, but the last compatible version remains usable.
- Two separate processes are running in parallel: the end of Intel apps in the Store and the end of Rosetta after macOS 27.
- Apple has promised to provide security updates for Intel Macs for another three years.
- macOS 26 Tahoe remains the last system version that runs on Intel computers.
What Apple writes to developers
Universal apps contain program code for both architectures, i.e., for Intel processors and for Apple Silicon. Apple describes how such a universal binary file is structured in its own developer documentation. If the Intel portion is omitted, the file size decreases accordingly – both during download and on the hard drive.
The condition is the system requirement: Only apps that already require at least macOS 13 are allowed to make this change. Those who still offer their app for older systems must continue to include Intel support.
For users, the already downloaded app will remain functional. What will be discontinued are future updates: On an Intel Mac, the store will then permanently deliver the latest compatible version.
Two ends that often get mixed up
This process is currently often conflated with the demise of Rosetta. However, these are two separate issues affecting different devices.
| Occurrence | Who it concerns | What happens | From when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intel support in the Mac App Store | Owners of an Intel Mac | Affected apps will no longer provide updates; the last compatible version remains usable. | immediately |
| macOS 27 Golden Gate | Owners of an Intel Mac | No update to the new system version, macOS 26 is the end of the line. | with the release in autumn |
| End of Rosetta | Owners of an Apple Silicon Mac | Pure Intel apps no longer start, with the exception of certain older games. | from macOS 28 onwards |
The Rosetta translation layer therefore doesn't affect older computers, but rather newer ones. It allows Macs with Apple chips to run software written for Intel and, according to Apple's German-language support document, will remain fully available up to and including macOS 27. From macOS 28 onward, only a limited version will remain for older, no longer maintained games that rely on Intel frameworks. The countdown for this has been running since macOS 26.4, which displays a system notification when launching such programs.
Who is affected now
macOS 26 Tahoe is the last system version that runs on an Intel Mac. Four models were already left behind with the jump to macOS 27, and which computers are compatible with the new generation can be found in the compatibility overview for iOS 27, iPadOS 27 and macOS Golden Gate.
The last Intel-based Mac disappeared from the product line in 2023. Anyone still using one today is therefore working with hardware that is at least three years old – and in most cases, considerably older.
Security updates yes, app updates no
Apple has promised owners of Intel-based Macs three more years of security updates. This promise applies to the operating system. The apps running on it depend on the developers, and they are now free to withdraw from the program.
An Intel-based Mac can thus get into a situation where the system itself is still being maintained, but the browser, password manager, or video software on it freezes in an outdated version. For security-relevant programs, this is the more critical aspect, because attacks predominantly target applications and not the system kernel.
In practical terms, this means that if you're still using an Intel Mac for work, the question is no longer how long Apple will support the system, but how long your most important apps will remain compatible. The answer to that isn't Apple, but the respective app developer – and it can vary from app to app.
How long will Intel Macs keep up?
The final phase of the six-year transition period Apple has taken since announcing Apple Silicon in 2020 has begun. The order is reversed compared to how it's perceived: first the software will stop, then the system. By the time macOS 27 is released, it should become clear how many developers actually take advantage of this leeway – in previous architecture changes, large vendors usually continued to deliver for a while, while smaller studios switched over more quickly.
Are you still using an Intel Mac, and if so, which app would most likely force you to switch if it no longer receives updates? Let us know in the comments what your reason is.
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