Apple has officially confirmed that macOS Tahoe will be the final macOS version to support Intel-based Macs. Starting with macOS 27, only Apple Silicon Macs will be supported.
Intel Macs still supported in macOS Tahoe include just four models from 2019 and 2020. After macOS 27 launches, macOS Tahoe will continue to get security updates until fall 2028.
Along with ending Intel Mac support, Apple is also preparing to phase out Rosetta 2, the Intel-to-Arm app translation tool. Rosetta will remain functional through macOS 26 and macOS 27. After that, it will only work for a limited subset of older games that rely on Intel-specific libraries. Developers will be required to provide Apple Silicon-native or universal versions of their apps going forward.
This strategy mirrors Apple’s previous PowerPC-to-Intel transition, when Rosetta 1 was discontinued about five years after its introduction.
The phaseout will impact owners of Intel Mac Pros sold as late as 2023, who will have seen only three major macOS releases for their machines. The 2018 Intel Mac mini fared worse, losing support after macOS 15 Sequoia.
Summary of key points:
- macOS Tahoe = last Intel Mac release.
- macOS 27+ = Apple Silicon only.
- Rosetta 2 ends after macOS 27 for most apps.
- Intel Mac support ends by 2028.
