Apple has officially confirmed that macOS 27 will mark the end of support for Intel-based Macs, closing a major chapter in the company’s hardware history.
The current version, macOS Tahoe (version 26), will be the last update released for Intel computers. Thereafter, macOS will exclusively support Apple Silicon, Apple’s custom ARM-based chips that now power every new Mac model.
This announcement officially ends Apple’s nearly 20-year partnership with Intel, which began in 2006 when the company switched from PowerPC processors.
Apple has gradually phased out Intel support since 2020, when it launched the first M1-powered Macs. Now, five years later, the transition is complete.
Rosetta 2 Enters Its Final Phase
As part of the transition, Apple also announced that Rosetta 2, the software layer that allows Apple Silicon Macs to run Intel-based apps, will remain active for two additional macOS versions after Tahoe before being removed completely.
Rosetta 2 has been a crucial bridge during Apple’s chip transition. It automatically translates Intel-only apps so they can run smoothly on Apple Silicon Macs.
The process is seamless, meaning most users never notice it’s happening. Apple says the extra grace period will primarily help legacy Intel-only games and apps that are no longer being updated.
For Intel Mac users, this change means macOS Tahoe will be their final major update, though Apple is expected to provide security patches for a few years.
Developers who still rely on Intel-only applications are being urged to migrate to universal or Apple Silicon-optimized apps to ensure future compatibility.
Apple Silicon has consistently outperformed Intel chips in both power efficiency and performance, enabling features like instant wake, longer battery life, and advanced AI capabilities across macOS and iPadOS.
Intel chips powered some of the company’s most iconic Macs, from the original MacBook Air to the 2019 Mac Pro.
