Apple’s planned goodbye to Intel is almost here, and it’s not about the hardware. macOS 27 Golden Gate will be the last version of macOS to support apps built for Intel-era chips using Rosetta 2, the software layer that’s been keeping older software alive on Apple silicon. Next year, when Apple announces macOS 28, that safety net will disappear completely.
This affects even M-series Mac users who upgraded years ago. If any of the apps you use haven’t been updated with native Apple silicon support, they are likely alive because of Rosetta 2. These apps now have roughly one year before they stop running.
Rosetta 2 end of life: Why macOS 27 is the last stop for Intel apps on Mac
When the M1 processor arrived inside Macs in 2020, Rosetta 2 served as a way to keep Intel-compiled apps running on Apple’s new chip architecture. Since it worked pretty well, most Mac users never even noticed it working in the background.
Also, it takes app developers time to catch up with Apple’s new chip architecture. But Apple will finally be burning the bridge. At WWDC 2025, it said Rosetta 2 will be supported for two more years. And macOS 27 Golden Gate is the second and final stop.
That said, it’s interesting to note that Apple has confirmed it will continue to keep some Rosetta functionality for old video games that run on Intel’s framework. But for everything else, next year’s macOS 28 will draw a hard line.
macOS 26 has been nudging you about this already
Apple never kept quiet about this. With the macOS 26.4 update, Apple warned users that support for Intel-only apps will go away in a future release. If you have been dismissing these pop-ups, it’s high time you start paying attention.
Also, macOS 27 Golden Gate will remove Rosetta 2 even if you have it installed on macOS 26 Tahoe. This means users who still need it must manually reinstall it after the update.
Your options before the Intel app cutoff hits
Most popular apps, like Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Cloud, already support Apple silicon. The holdouts include niche utilities, outdated enterprise software and apps that developers haven’t touched since 2020.
If a part of your workflow involves any of this dated software, your options are limited. Either find a replacement, ask the developer for an update, or stay on macOS 27 when the time comes. Apple gave developers a six-year grace period, so anyone still relying on Intel-only apps will have to make a choice.
Anurag Chawake is a tech-focused writer specializing in smartphones, apps and consumer technology. His interest in computers began during the Windows 98 era, eventually leading him to explore everything from operating systems to mobile devices and PC hardware. Anurag previously contributed to The Indian Express, covering Apple, Android, gaming and the broader technology landscape.
