Intel Mac & Rosetta 2 End: Apple Support Details
- Apple's latest operating system, macOS Tahoe, will be the last to include support for Intel-based Macs.
- The company will provide security updates for macOS Tahoe until fall 2028, two years after macOS 27 is released.
- Changes are also coming to Rosetta 2, the translation technology that allows Intel-based applications to run on Apple Silicon.
Apple is discontinuing support for Intel Macs, with macOS Tahoe being the final operating system compatible with these devices. This marks the end of an era, forcing users to upgrade to Apple Silicon Macs for future updates. Security updates for macOS Tahoe will continue until fall 2028, but after macOS 27, Rosetta 2, the software designed to translate Intel-based applications, will be limited. This transition impacts software support and hardware compatibility, specifically influencing the role Intel Macs play. Developers must transition, while users of older Intel Macs should prepare for the upgrade. News Directory 3 provides all these key details to better understand this strategic shift and the impact on consumers and developers alike. Discover what’s next for Apple’s evolving ecosystem.
macOS Tahoe: End of the Line for Intel Macs
Updated June 9, 2025
Apple’s latest operating system, macOS Tahoe, will be the last to include support for Intel-based Macs. the list of compatible Intel models had already been reduced to four,all released in 2019 or 2020. Future macOS releases, starting with macOS 27, will require a Mac with Apple Silicon.
The company will provide security updates for macOS Tahoe until fall 2028, two years after macOS 27 is released. This follows apple’s standard practice of providing one year of major point updates with security fixes and new features, followed by two years of security-only updates.
Changes are also coming to Rosetta 2, the translation technology that allows Intel-based applications to run on Apple Silicon. Rosetta 2 will continue to function as a general-purpose translation tool in macOS 26 and macOS 27. However, its role will be reduced after that.
After macOS 27, Rosetta 2 will be limited to older games that depend on Intel-specific libraries but are no longer actively maintained. Developers who want their applications to run on future macOS versions must transition to Apple Silicon-native apps or global apps compatible with both architectures. This shift highlights Apple’s commitment to Apple Silicon and its impact on the future of macOS software support and hardware compatibility. The transition marks a meaningful change in the role of Intel Macs in the Apple ecosystem.
What’s next
Users of older Intel Macs should plan to upgrade to Apple Silicon models to continue receiving the latest macOS features and security updates. Developers should focus on creating Apple Silicon-native or universal applications to ensure compatibility with future macOS releases.