Beyond 2028, Intel-based Macs will cease to receive any system updates from Apple. Starting from that point, Apple plans only to provide security patches for these machines. The rollout of new features and major updates will have already ended by 2026. This phased approach signifies a clear transition away from Intel processors in favor of Apple’s own silicon, with support windows gradually closing for older hardware.
This timeline primarily concerns the most recent Intel-based Mac models, specifically:
– MacBook Pro 16-inch (2019)
– Mac Pro (2019)
– MacBook Pro 13-inch (2020)
– iMac 27-inch (2020)
These devices will be the last to be compatible with macOS 26, codenamed Tahoe, which is expected to launch around September 2025. However, some of these models might continue to be sold until 2023, even though their compatibility with the latest OS version ends earlier.
Additionally, the Rosetta 2 translation layer, which allows Intel x86_64 applications to run on Apple’s ARM-based Macs, will remain fully functional until macOS 27. After that, Apple plans to maintain only a limited subset of Rosetta, primarily targeting legacy applications that depend on specific libraries or older games.
The Transition from PowerPC to Intel Was Slightly More Abrupt
The shift from PowerPC architecture to Intel chips was somewhat more sudden than the current transition. Apple officially announced this change at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in 2005, and by the following year, all Macs had transitioned to Intel processors. The last version of Mac OS X supporting PowerPC was Leopard, released in October 2007. Interestingly, Apple did not make an official statement about dropping PowerPC support; developers discovered the change vividly in the first beta versions. The initial version of Rosetta, the emulation software for PowerPC applications, remained functional until Mac OS X Snow Leopard, which debuted in August 2009.
When moving to Intel, Macs became incompatible with the classic Mac OS (version 9 and earlier). However, they gained the ability to run Windows, giving users more flexibility. This compatibility was one factor that influenced Apple’s decision to diverge from IBM, especially as IBM struggled to process smaller manufacturing nodes below 90 nanometers.
*Note: The first beta of macOS Tahoe shows some issues on Intel Macs. These include performance problems in safe mode and recovery, as well as graphical glitches—affecting system elements like menus, alerts, the control center, and some applications, notably during scrolling.
