macOS Tahoe 26: The Last Intel-Compatible Update as Apple Phases Out Rosetta 2 in macOS 28, Ending x86 App Support

During its much-anticipated WWDC event, Apple unveiled the innovative Liquid Glass design language, sparking a wide range of reactions within the tech community. The latest iterations of iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 reflect this cohesive design philosophy, demonstrating a welcomed consistency across Apple’s operating systems. Additionally, the company has adopted a new year-based naming convention for its software updates, moving away from the previous sequential numbering system. As part of its announcements, Apple also disclosed plans to phase out Rosetta 2, starting with macOS 28, signaling the conclusion of support for Intel-based Macs as the transition to Apple Silicon solidifies.

Transitioning Away from Intel: What It Means for Mac Users

For those unfamiliar with the implications, Rosetta 2 serves as a translational tool that enables Macs equipped with Apple Silicon—a system based on ARM architecture—to run applications designed for Intel-based models that utilize x86 architecture. This software acts as a bridge, facilitating the migration of apps between the two architectures. Apple has communicated that, with the release of macOS 28, only a limited variant of Rosetta 2 will persist, primarily intended to support older gaming titles reliant on Intel-based frameworks.

Rosetta was designed to make the transition to Apple Silicon easier, and we plan to make it available for the next two major macOS releases – through macOS 27 – as a general-purpose tool for Intel apps to help developers complete the migration of their apps. Beyond this timeframe, we will keep a subset of Rosetta functionality aimed at supporting older unmaintained gaming titles that rely on Intel-based frameworks.

According to Apple’s developer documentation, macOS Tahoe 26 will mark the final version available for Intel-based Macs. This means that, following next year, these models will no longer receive updates for macOS 27, effectively relegating Intel machines to the past as Apple shifts focus exclusively toward its custom silicon. While feature updates will cease, the company has committed to extending security updates for an additional three years. It’s worth noting that Apple has long supported Intel-based Macs, yet the performance disparities between older Intel hardware and the newer M-series chips have prompted this transition.

As of now, macOS Tahoe 26 is compatible with a variety of Intel Macs, including the 2019 16-inch MacBook Pro, the 2020 13-inch MacBook Pro with four Thunderbolt 3 ports, the 2020 27-inch iMac, and the 2019 Mac Pro. Are you still an Intel iMac user? We would love to hear your experiences in the comments below!

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