macOS 27 will be the last operating system to fully support Rosetta 2

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AppleInsiderAppleInsider
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Developers relying on Rosetta 2 to keep their legacy code running should begin preparing now, as macOS 27 will be the last to provide full support for the translation technology.

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Apple wants all apps to run on Apple Silicon natively by 2028. Image source: Apple



When Apple revealed Apple Silicon in 2020, it shared that the transition would be slow to ensure users and software weren't lost along the way. With the announcement of macOS Tahoe during WWDC 2025, Apple has revealed that not only Intel Macs, but Rosetta 2 are on the chopping block.

According to a portion of the Platforms State of the Union, developers have until macOS 28 to get their apps running natively on Apple Silicon. They also shared that macOS 26 is the last Mac operating system that will support Intel-based Macs.

When it arrives, macOS 28 will still run Rosetta 2, but scaled back significantly to support only legacy apps like old games that won't be updated again. The full Rosetta 2 translation layer will still work in macOS 26 and macOS 27, in the meantime.

Intel owners should consider upgrading to a more modern Mac to continue receiving full operating system updates. Apple will likely continue to support macOS 26 with security patches for some years, but the feature updates won't arrive on Intel machines anymore.

Those already using Apple Silicon should ensure they are running native apps. If you have an app that's still Intel-based, either find a new app or start writing to the developer to urge a transition to a native app.

There's plenty of time, so no need to panic at this point. In all likelihood, macOS 28 won't be announced until WWDC 2027.



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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 11
    timmilleatimmillea Posts: 285member
    Is there a quick way to scan all my apps and reveal which are still using non-native code?
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  • Reply 2 of 11
    brianleejacksonbrianleejackson Posts: 1member
    timmillea said:
    Is there a quick way to scan all my apps and reveal which are still using non-native code?
    Yes, System Settings → About → System Report. 

    Then go to Software → Applications. You can then see in the "Kind" column and even sort it, whether it's an Intel app, or Universal/Apple Silicon. 

    I just checked again as well, and I no longer have any Intel apps running.
    stevedownunderEdgecrusherrtimmillea
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  • Reply 3 of 11
    michelb76michelb76 Posts: 756member
    timmillea said:
    Is there a quick way to scan all my apps and reveal which are still using non-native code?
    Yes, System Settings → About → System Report. 

    Then go to Software → Applications. You can then see in the "Kind" column and even sort it, whether it's an Intel app, or Universal/Apple Silicon. 

    I just checked again as well, and I no longer have any Intel apps running.
    You may have several intel apps running that are apple made, such  diskimages-helper and core audio stuff. Hopefully Apple will update all their services and software to Apple Silicon. It's easiest to see in Activity Monitor if you sort on 'kind'.
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 4 of 11
    blastdoorblastdoor Posts: 3,821member
    Updating apps for Apple silicon is the kind of thing that an AI assistant should be very good at. 

    One of the most important AI tools that Apple needs to release is Swift Assist.
    Edgecrusherr
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  • Reply 5 of 11
    Edgecrusherredgecrusherr Posts: 45member
    blastdoor said:
    Updating apps for Apple silicon is the kind of thing that an AI assistant should be very good at. 

    One of the most important AI tools that Apple needs to release is Swift Assist.
    Not a bad idea.
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  • Reply 6 of 11
    Edgecrusherredgecrusherr Posts: 45member
    I don’t mind them dropping hardware support about 7 or so years, but I really like having the power to run older apps if I need them. I’m not expecting miracles, but the Rosetta 2 layer is very modern and secure, there shouldn’t be any good reason why they can’t leave it there for 10-15 years. Hopefully what they’re leaving intact for old games will actually be enough to continue playing all of those old games, for many years to come. I have some really
    good ones what are no longer developed, including the Enterprise D simulator, and some emulators (not just game emulators either).
    blastdoor
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  • Reply 7 of 11
    blastdoorblastdoor Posts: 3,821member
    Edgecrusherr said:
    I don’t mind them dropping hardware support about 7 or so years, but I really like having the power to run older apps if I need them. I’m not expecting miracles, but the Rosetta 2 layer is very modern and secure, there shouldn’t be any good reason why they can’t leave it there for 10-15 years. Hopefully what they’re leaving intact for old games will actually be enough to continue playing all of those old games, for many years to come. I have some really
    good ones what are no longer developed, including the Enterprise D simulator, and some emulators (not just game emulators either).
    Yeah... given the abundant RAM and storage resources on modern systems, and Apple's ample financial resources, I don't see why they don't provide greater backwards compatibility options through the use of virtual machines. Heck, they could let you run everything from the Apple II onwards in a virtual machine. 

    I'd find that to be a more exciting announcement than just about anything at WWDC this year, especially if they provided easy access to old software at reasonable (or free) prices. 
    muthuk_vanalingam
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  • Reply 8 of 11
    timmilleatimmillea Posts: 285member
    timmillea said:
    Is there a quick way to scan all my apps and reveal which are still using non-native code?
    Yes, System Settings → About → System Report. 

    Then go to Software → Applications. You can then see in the "Kind" column and even sort it, whether it's an Intel app, or Universal/Apple Silicon. 

    I just checked again as well, and I no longer have any Intel apps running.I
    Many thanks. It works ...  except I am now left with various Intel scanner utilities, Brother Scanner, CanonIJScannerX where x is 2, 3 and 4 and EPSON Scanner which are not there and cannot be 'unhidden' nor found. I don't even have a scanner anymore! 

    Hopefully when those Universal apps are Apple Silicon only, much space will be freed up and they may even lunch a little faster. 
    edited June 10
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  • Reply 9 of 11
    rezwitsrezwits Posts: 922member
    What?!?  That's a big "effing why?"

    Because my thing is Rosetta2 is so effortless and really good, it's not like back in the PPC days.

    This is just silly.  I mean I honestly can't stand when a "GOOD/GREAT product is just terminated!

    I mean IDK how much support do you have to do for ALT WINE for Apple Silicon... I guess too much!

    I know there's other reasons but just leave it for sillyness...

    Oh well...
    edited June 10
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  • Reply 10 of 11
    xyzzy01xyzzy01 Posts: 154member
    This is a "we knew it was coming" disaster.

    Not because the apps I use frequently are Intel - almost all of them have migrated to Apple Silicon a long time ago. But one of my two remaining frequently used apps - Steam - is an indicator of the big problem: Games.

    I have large game library, and only new and current ones are ported. Game developers very rarely port their old games. They've moved on, and they also depend on a lot of libraries and SDKs. If they still exist and have migrated, they've seen many updates as well - meaning the work is far more than just a recompile.

    Losing 32 bit compatibility left many old, cherished games behind - and this will do the same. I guess it will also make dosbox wrappers on old classics - as sold by GOG - impossible.
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 11 of 11
    Mike Wuerthelemike wuerthele Posts: 7,129administrator
    xyzzy01 said:
    This is a "we knew it was coming" disaster.

    Not because the apps I use frequently are Intel - almost all of them have migrated to Apple Silicon a long time ago. But one of my two remaining frequently used apps - Steam - is an indicator of the big problem: Games.

    I have large game library, and only new and current ones are ported. Game developers very rarely port their old games. They've moved on, and they also depend on a lot of libraries and SDKs. If they still exist and have migrated, they've seen many updates as well - meaning the work is far more than just a recompile.

    Losing 32 bit compatibility left many old, cherished games behind - and this will do the same. I guess it will also make dosbox wrappers on old classics - as sold by GOG - impossible.
    As we've mentioned in the piece, there's an interesting, and undefined, carve-out for gaming.

    "When it arrives, macOS 28 will still run Rosetta 2, but scaled back significantly to support only legacy apps like old games that won't be updated again. "

    This isn't a tale that will be fully told at this WWDC. Maybe the next, more likely the one after that.
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
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