Apple says macOS 26 will be the last to support Intel chips
How did your country report this? Share your view in the comments.
Diverging Reports Breakdown
Apple says macOS 26 will be the last to support Intel chips
macOS 26 Tahoe release this fall will be the last to support Intel chips. Apple began using Intel processors in 2006 with the release of a MacBook Pro sporting an Intel Core Duo chip. With the arrival of WWDC 2020, Apple announced the beginning of the end of its Intel partnership – it would start using its own Arm-based silicon. But Intel-based machines like the 2019 Intel Mac Pro and the 2018 Intel Mac Mini were still being sold until 2023. Apple generally makes security updates for macOS available for three years after release. So Intel hardware under macOS 26 TahOE should linger at least until late 2028.
At its Worldwide Developer Conference 2025, the iBiz confirmed that its forthcoming macOS 26 Tahoe release this fall will be the last to support Intel chips.
“Apple Silicon enables us all to achieve things that were previously unimaginable,” said Matthew Firlik, senior director of developer relations, during the Platforms State of the Union keynote. “And it’s time to put all of our focus and innovation there. And so, macOS Tahoe will be the final release for Intel Macs.”
Apple began using Intel processors in 2006 with the release of a MacBook Pro sporting an Intel Core Duo chip. At the Macworld Conference in January of that year, then-Intel CEO Paul Otellini appeared on stage with then-Apple CEO and co-founder Steve Jobs.
“One of the biggest reasons that we decided to switch to using Intel processors is because what drives us is wanting to make the best personal computers in the world and it became very clear that the way to do that was to use some of your newest technology that you’d be rolling out this year,” Jobs said to Otellini at the time.
But the computing requirements for mobile devices were already changing the way the tech industry thought about processor design and energy efficiency. Performance per watt had become an issue around the turn of the millennium in datacenters and in high-performance computing. And it became a broader concern with the arrival of the iPhone in 2007 and the Android devices that followed. Around that time, major datacenter operators like Google made the case [PDF] for an even greater focus on performance per watt.
Hardware based on Arm’s architecture has tended to have better performance per watt than Intel x86 hardware, at least in [PDF] some [PDF] studies [PDF]. And Apple took note. With the arrival of WWDC 2020, Apple announced the beginning of the end of its Intel partnership – it would start using its own Arm-based silicon.
By 2021, Arm declared, “Performance Per Watt is the New Moore’s Law.”
Intel never quite managed to answer Arm-based silicon in the mobile market nor to respond to Nvidia in the GPU market. Its strategic blunders over the past two decades led to the ouster of former CEO Pat Gelsinger in December 2024.
In hindsight, Apple’s decision to part ways with Intel looks prophetic. But it has also been slower than the Mac maker suggested.
When Apple announced its initial crop of products running Apple Silicon, it said the transition would take two years. But Intel-based machines like the 2019 Intel Mac Pro and the 2018 Intel Mac Mini were still being sold until 2023.
What’s more, Apple generally makes security updates for macOS available for three years after release. So Intel hardware under macOS 26 Tahoe should linger at least until late 2028. ®
macOS Tahoe 26 Will Be The Final Intel-Compatible Update As Apple Phases Out Rosetta 2 With macOS 28, Ending Support For x86 Apps
Apple is ending support for Intel-based Macs starting next year, but security updates will continue for another three years. Apple will only release software support for Macs that run on its custom silicon. The company also confirmed the new naming scheme of the updates, which now reflects a year-based solution rather than an order-based approach. Apple has supported Macs with an Intel chip for a while, and the older hardware is not as capable as the company’s custom line of M-series chips to withstand the test of time.Currently, macOS Tahoe 26 is compatible with a wide range of Intel Macs, which include the 2019 16-inch MacBook Pro.
Apple is ending support for Intel-based Macs starting next year, but security updates will continue for another three years
If you are not familiar, Rosetta 2 allows Macs with Apple Silicon with an Arm architecture to run apps for Intel-based Macs, which feature an x86 architecture. Rosetta 2 is basically a code-translating medium between the two that allows for easier app porting between Apple Silicon and Intel-based chips. Apple states that starting with macOS 28, only a limited version of Rosetta 2 will remain available for older games that make use of 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.
Apple’s developer document also highlights that macOS Tahoe 26 will be the last update compatible with Intel-based Macs. What this means is that all Intel-based Macs will end support for macOS 27 next year, and Apple will only release software support for Macs that run on its custom silicon. While feature-based updates will be restricted, the company will carry on with the security updates for an additional three years. To be fair, Apple has supported Macs with an Intel chip for a while, and the older hardware is not as capable as the company’s custom line of M-series chips to withstand the test of time.
Currently, macOS Tahoe 26 is compatible with a wide range of Intel Macs, which include 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 using an iMac with an Intel chip? Share your experience with us in the comments.
Apple’s macOS Tahoe: The Last Hurrah for Intel Macs in a Transition to New Horizons
macOS Tahoe will run on select Intel Macs, including the 2019 Mac Pro and specific high-end MacBook Pro models, before the OS shifts entirely to Apple Silicon. As of mid-2025, Intel-based Macs are no longer available for purchase directly from Apple’s retail channels. Intel Mac users will still receive minor updates like security patches for two years, but can expect no new features, marking an official phase-out of support for Intel machines. Apple Silicon processors will be available in 2020, and future software updates will cater exclusively to Apple silicon. The transition marks a significant milestone in Apple’s phased shift away from Intel chips, a journey that commenced in 2020.
The transition marks a significant milestone in Apple’s phased shift away from Intel chips, a journey that commenced in 2020 with the introduction of its proprietary Apple Silicon processors. While macOS Tahoe will still function on certain Intel Macs—most notably the 2019 Mac Pro and select high-end MacBook Pro models—future macOS updates will cater exclusively to Apple Silicon.
Despite the end of major OS support, Apple assures users of compatible Intel Macs that minor software updates, including security patches and bug fixes, will continue for at least the next two years. However, these updates won’t introduce any new features. For users clinging to Intel machines, this signifies their computers are now entering their twilight phase of support.
Apple’s strategy clearly illustrates a desire for a more unified design across its product ecosystem. The company’s recent emphasis on artificial intelligence, machine learning, and battery optimization has predominantly revolved around its own silicon, leaving Intel models increasingly sidelined from the latest advancements.
As of mid-2025, Intel-based Macs are no longer available for purchase directly from Apple’s retail channels. The final survivor in Apple’s Intel lineup, the premium 2019 Mac Pro, was discontinued earlier this year following the launch of its Apple Silicon counterpart. Previously, the Intel versions of the 13-inch MacBook Pro and the Intel Mac mini enjoyed a brief existence, but they too have vanished in favor of the M-series chips. Any remaining Intel Macs are now accessible solely through third-party resellers or the refurbished market.
On the plus side, this pivot enables Apple to thoroughly optimize its software for Apple Silicon, greatly benefiting users with newer devices. Yet, it also raises questions about the longevity and relevance of high-end Intel machines.
Ultimately, the decision was unavoidable. With the arrival of macOS Tahoe, Intel Mac users are entering a new era where the future of macOS is firmly anchored in Apple Silicon.
Questions & Answers
What does the end of support for Intel Macs mean for users?
Intel Mac users will still receive minor updates like security patches for two years, but can expect no new features, marking an official phase-out.
Which Macs will support macOS Tahoe?
macOS Tahoe will run on select Intel Macs, including the 2019 Mac Pro and specific high-end MacBook Pro models, before the OS shifts entirely to Apple Silicon.
What impact does this announcement have on Apple’s product strategy?
This move allows Apple to enhance its software specifically for its own silicon, while signaling a clear focus on its future developments away from Intel technology.
Source: https://www.theregister.com/2025/06/10/apple_macos_26_last_intel_support/