Apple’s forthcoming macOS 27 doesn’t run on Intel Macs at all, and that’s just the beginning of a timeline that will complete a years-long transition to Apple Silicon. Here’s what to expect, and when.

When Apple unveiled macOS 27 during its WWDC 2026 opening keynote, it put into motion its previously announced plan for the end of Intel Macs. Not only will the update not support any Intel Macs, but it also removes the Rosetta 2 translation layer that allows Intel apps to run on other Macs, too.

Apple announced the transition away from Intel chips in 2020, choosing to use its own in-house silicon instead. Now, six years later, it’s getting ready to complete that transition, and app developers are on notice.

Apple has long warned that support for apps designed for Intel would need to be updated. With macOS 26.4, it also started to warn Mac users when they launched an Intel app.

Now, time is almost up. Here’s how Mac support for Intel will finally end.

Fall 2026: macOS 27 releases, uninstalling Rosetta 2

Apple’s macOS 27 is in developer beta testing right now, but it will be released to the public this fall. It will only be available for Macs running Apple’s M1 chip or newer, removing support for Intel Macs entirely.

During the installation process, macOS 27 will also remove Rosetta 2 if it was previously installed. This will prevent any app designed for Intel chips from launching.

The removal of Rosetta 2 will also affect apps that use any Intel-only frameworks. This will most likely affect older games and specialist apps or plugins.

If required, macOS 27 will allow Rosetta 2 to be reinstalled. But users and developers alike should take this as a last warning for what will come next.

Fall 2027: macOS 28 releases, ending Intel support

Fall 2027 will see the release of macOS 28, Apple’s next big Mac software update. Apple warned developers as far back as June 2025 that macOS 28 would not support Rosetta 2 for most apps.

Apple Silicon will soon see the end of Intel support

With macOS 28 installed, apps built for Intel Macs will no longer function. Users will need to update the software to a new, Apple Silicon version, if one is available. Otherwise, they’ll have to find an alternative app or some kind of bottle like Crossover or Parallels to use instead.

There will be some concessions made, however. Apple has confirmed that Rosetta 2 functionality will remain available, but only for specific older and unmaintained games. These games rely on Intel-based frameworks and cannot be updated to support Apple Silicon.

Fall 2029: Apple no longer offers security updates for Intel

Prior to the release of macOS 26 Tahoe in the fall of 2025, Apple confirmed that Intel apps would not be supported by macOS 28. But it did say that Intel Macs running macOS 26 Tahoe would receive security updates for three years.

The macOS 26 Tahoe update was released in September 2025. With that in mind, we can expect Apple to cease security updates for Intel Macs in or around September 2029.

We’re in the Apple Silicon endgame

Six years after Apple began to move away from Intel Macs, the transition is almost complete. Seven years after release, it will be done. Apple has made it very clear that it’s ready to move on.

For now, Intel Macs and Intel apps will continue to work. Even after Apple stops offering security updates for Intel Macs, they’ll continue to function just fine, albeit with increasingly degraded security.

The bigger issue may be the lack of Intel app support starting in late 2027, though. If you rely on an app that still hasn’t been updated for Apple Silicon, it’s time to bug its developer. If it hasn’t been updated by now, there’s a good chance it never will be.

With all of this being said, Apple’s message is now loud and clear. If you still own an Intel Mac and haven’t updated to a newer model running Apple Silicon, now is the time to do so.