Apple to End Rosetta Support: macOS 28 Will Drop Intel App Compatibility
Apple is officially sunsetting its Rosetta 2 translation layer for Intel-based macOS applications, setting a hard deadline of fall 2027 with the arrival of macOS 28. According to official developer documentation published by Apple, the transition away from Intel architecture—which began with the introduction of Apple silicon in November 2020—is entering its final phase.
Rosetta Timeline and Operating System Cutoffs
The multi-year phaseout follows a clear roadmap outlined across recent major macOS releases. According to reports from Apple Developer documentation, macOS 26 Tahoe (released in September 2025) marks the final operating system version to support Intel-based Mac hardware.
For users running software on Apple silicon Macs, the deprecation process unfolds across two upcoming software cycles. According to Apple Developer records, macOS 26.5 — the current shipping version of macOS, released May 11, 2026 — every Mac user who opens an Intel-only app now sees a system notification alerting them to update to an Apple silicon native version, according to Apple Developer records.
By the time macOS 27 ships, Rosetta will reach its final release supporting general Intel-only apps. Once macOS 28 arrives in the fall of 2027, Rosetta functionality will be entirely discontinued for standard applications, according to the sources.
Exceptions for Legacy Gaming Titles
While productivity software, enterprise tools, and creative plugins must be updated to native binaries, Apple has carved out one specific exception to the rule. According to official Apple developer guidance, Rosetta functionality for older, unmaintained gaming titles relying on Intel-based frameworks will continue to be supported past the macOS 28 cutoff.
Tech Times notes that enterprise software, business utilities, and audio plugins do not qualify for this gaming exemption. Creative professionals and IT administrators managing specialized or proprietary software must secure native updates or risk losing functionality entirely.
Action Required for Developers and Users
Apple urges developers to build and distribute their applications as universal binaries, which run natively on both Apple silicon and Intel-based Mac computers. Developers who already offer native builds are advised to reach out directly to users, encouraging them to install the latest versions ahead of the fall 2027 deadline.
According to support documentation from Apple, users can identify whether their installed applications require Rosetta by selecting an app in the Finder, pressing Command-I to open the Info window, and checking the “Kind” field. Applications listed as Application (Intel) rely on Rosetta, whereas Universal or Apple silicon applications run natively without translation support.