Older Macs That Won’t Support macOS 26 as Apple Phases Out Intel-Based Models

Apple is on the verge of launching its next significant macOS update, and recent insights reveal that several older Mac models will not receive this upgrade. In an intriguing shift, Apple is set to transition its operating system naming convention to a year-based system, which will result in skipping macOS 16 in favor of the upcoming macOS 26. As a consequence of this change, certain Mac models will be left behind and will not support macOS 2026.

Older Mac Models No Longer Supported by macOS 26

Insights from industry sources referenced by AppleInsider indicate that Apple will discontinue support for four specific Mac models with the release of macOS 26. It is noteworthy that only older models will be affected, as they fall off the compatibility roster. The following list details the Macs that will not be able to run macOS 26:

2018 MacBook Pro
2017 iMac Pro
2018 Mac mini
2020 Intel-based MacBook Air

These aforementioned Macs are the oldest models currently capable of running macOS’s latest Sequoia update, but they will unfortunately miss out on the features of macOS 26. Their absence in development builds serves as a strong indicator that they will not be supported in the final release.

This marks the second instance in recent months where Apple has discontinued support for certain Intel-based Macs, as the company progressively shifts its focus towards models powered by Apple Silicon. As of now, only a handful of Intel-based Macs remain that will still be compatible with macOS 26:

2019 and newer MacBook Pro models
2020 and newer iMac models
2019 and newer Mac Pro models
M1 and newer Mac mini models
All Mac Studio models
M1 and newer MacBook Air models

Apple is anticipated to unveil macOS 26 during its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) next month, alongside iOS 26, watchOS 26, and various other software updates. The company may also integrate a consistent design language across its platform updates, adopting elements from visionOS, which is expected to include transparent effects and new menu designs. Notably, users might also see significant visual updates in iOS 26, including circular app icons. While the potential for surprising compatibility with older Macs exists, it’s advisable to approach the news with caution. Stay tuned for more information regarding iOS 26 compatibility, as we will be providing updates shortly.

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