macOS Golden Gate Ends Rosetta 2 Support for Intel Apps Next Year
Apple's upcoming macOS 27 Golden Gate will be the final version to fully support Intel-based applications via Rosetta 2. After this, the translation layer, crucial for running older software on Apple Silicon, will be phased out, impacting users with Intel-only apps. Support for older games will remain.
Key points
- macOS 27 Golden Gate, currently in beta, is the last major release with full Rosetta 2 support.
- Rosetta 2 is Apple's translation layer enabling Intel-compiled apps to run on Apple Silicon Macs.
- Apple announced at WWDC 2025 that Rosetta 2 would be available for two more macOS releases after its initial introduction.
- A subset of Rosetta functionality will continue to support unmaintained older gaming titles.
- Starting with macOS 26.4, Apple has warned users via system alerts about the upcoming end of support for Intel-only apps.
Apple's forthcoming macOS 27 Golden Gate is set to mark a significant shift by being the final major operating system release to offer comprehensive support for Intel-based applications through its Rosetta 2 translation layer. This development signals the eventual discontinuation of full Rosetta 2 functionality for all but specific legacy use cases.
Introduced with the M1 chip in 2020, Rosetta 2 was designed to ease the transition for users and developers from Intel processors to Apple's own silicon. Apple had previously indicated at WWDC 2025 that the translation tool would be generally available for two more macOS releases following its initial launch, a commitment now culminating with macOS 27.
While macOS 27 Golden Gate will be the last to allow Intel-only applications to run seamlessly, Apple plans to retain a limited version of Rosetta 2. This subset will cater to older, unmaintained gaming titles that rely on Intel-specific frameworks, ensuring some backward compatibility for a niche segment of users. Apple has begun proactively notifying users through system alerts in recent macOS versions about the impending end of broad support.
Sources
The WireByte editorial team synthesises technology news from multiple primary sources, verifies the facts, and links every source. Articles are produced with AI assistance and reviewed under our editorial policy.