With macOS 27 Golden Gate, Apple is releasing the last version to fully support Rosetta 2. The translation layer that has kept Intel apps running on Apple Silicon Macs will largely disappear next year. This affects not only older Intel-based computers but also users of current M-Macs – and an unexpected side effect is already apparent in the beta version.
Apple had already announced at WWDC 2025 that macOS 27 would be the last system version with full Rosetta 2 support. With the launch of the Golden Gate beta, this announcement has reached its final stage: the countdown is no longer theoretical, but concrete. Users of Intel-based software will therefore only have one more major version after macOS 27 before these programs become unusable.
What Rosetta 2 can do – and why it's disappearing
Rosetta 2 is the dynamic binary translator that Apple introduced in late 2020 alongside the M1 chip. This technology allows apps compiled for Intel processors to run on Apple Silicon Macs without modification. However, Rosetta 2 was always intended as a transitional solution to give developers time to port their programs.
At the Platforms State of the Union during WWDC 2025, Apple outlined the framework: Rosetta will remain available as a general tool up to and including macOS 27 to help developers complete their migration. Beyond that, Apple will retain only a subset of features specifically aimed at older, unsupported game titles with Intel-based frameworks.
Apple Silicon Macs are also affected
Golden Gate is the first macOS version to run exclusively on Apple Silicon Macs, marking the end for Intel hardware. However, the consequences extend beyond older Intel machines. Even those who own a modern M-series Mac but continue to use purely Intel apps will lose their functionality after macOS 27. This group is easily overlooked because their devices are technically up-to-date – but the software behind them is not.
Most popular applications have long since been natively adapted for Apple Silicon in the six years since the switch was announced in 2020. However, those who still depend on Intel-only software for work or personal use will have to find a native alternative before the release of macOS 28, request an updated program, or simply remain on macOS 27.
Golden Gate automatically uninstalls Rosetta 2
One noticeable change is already apparent in the beta: Golden Gate automatically removes Rosetta 2 if it was previously installed under macOS 26 Tahoe. Users who still need the component will have to reinstall it after the update. This is an additional step that users with Intel dependencies should expect.
Warning messages are already circulating
Apple has been preparing for this change for some time. Since macOS 26.4, the system displays a message whenever a purely Intel-based app is launched, indicating that support will end in a future macOS version. This actively initiated transition phase, starting with macOS 26.4, continued with macOS 26.5 and is intended to give both end users and developers enough time to switch to native alternatives.
macOS 27 schedule
macOS 27 Golden Gate is currently available as a developer beta. A public beta will follow next month, and the final version is expected in September. The full Rosetta 2 layer in its current form will then be removed with macOS 28 next year – apart from the reduced portion for older games.
The final end of the Intel era on the Mac
With Golden Gate, a circle closes that began in 2020 with the first M1 Mac. Apple is consistently completing the transition and making it clear that the future of the Mac belongs solely to native Apple Silicon apps. For the vast majority of users, nothing will change in their daily work because their programs have already been ported. However, anyone who relies on an old, no longer supported Intel application should use the remaining year to find a viable solution – ignoring it will only postpone the problem by one version. (Image: Shutterstock / sergey causelove)
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