One More Thing – The end of macOS on Intel Platforms

On Monday, Apple unveiled macOS Taohe with its new design language, improved Spotlight search, among other things, at its Worldwide Developers Conference.

The interesting part for owners of older Macs was in the Platform State of the Union address, which was announced after the main keynote, stating that macOS Taohe will be the last version to support Intel-based Macintoshes.

The end of the road for new operating systems for Intel-based Macs – Image, Apple – Platform State of the Union.

Is my old Mac going to stop working overnight?

Your Mac will continue to work – let’s be clear on that. It’s not going to turn into a brick overnight or turn into pixie dust. Your computer will continue to work as it does today

However, you won’t get any further security or operating system updates over time.

In this case, this is very similar to what’s happening on the PC front, with Microsoft pulling support for Windows 10 on 14th October, leaving behind older computers that do not have Trusted Platform Modules or supported processors.

Why?

Since late 2020, Apple has transitioned its product line from Intel-based CPUs and x86-64 instruction set to its own Apple Silicon M-Series processor, which is based on the ARM instruction set. Apple is choosing to focus all its development efforts on  Apple Silicon as it has long since compoleted its transition.

macOS Taohe will have three years of security patches,  and that will be the last official support we’ll see for those machines.

Reducing support

For macOS Taheo, the following Intel Macs will get updates. These are based on Intel’s 9th-generation Coffee Lake and Cascade Lake-based Xeon-W processors.

• MacBook Pro (2019)
• Mac Pro (2019 and newer)
• iMac (2020)

Older Macs beyond those above will be “stuck” at their last major macOS release (such as older MacBook Airs, MacBook Pros, iMacs, Mac Mini and Mac Pros). There are ways around this (which require creativity with OpenCore Legacy Patcher (OCLP)), but even then, there will be no major releases of macOS beyond Tahoe for these Macs.

Farewell Rosetta2 too

If you’ve made the jump to Apple Silicon (M1 Processor upwards), you might have some legacy programs you use that were written for Intel-only compatibility. If you’re still using them, you’ll need to pressure your vendor (if they still exist) to update their application to run.

Rosetta 2 was launched as part of the macOS transition to allow these Intel-based apps to work through translation. Rosetta will continue to work as a general-purpose app translation tool in both macOS 26 and macOS 27, after which a subset of the instructions will be retained.

Developers will either need to recompile their apps to target Universal or Apple Silicon platforms.

If the vendor has gone out of business or the application isn’t being updated, you’ll be stuck and either keep an old Mac around to run the software… or consider your upgrade pattern.

The transition from Intel to Apple Silicon

Between 2020 and 2024, Apple slowly transitioned its entire line of desktop hardware from Intel architecture chips to its M-Series family. For context:

Desktop Line:

• Mac Pro – Transitioned to Apple Silicon with M2 processor, 2023
• MacStudio – Native Apple Silicon device, introduced with M2 Processor, 2022
• Mac Mini – Transitioned to Apple Silicon M1 processor in 2020
• iMac – Transitioned to Apple Silicon with M1 processor in 2021

Portable Line:

• MacBook Air – Transitioned to Apple Silicon with M1 processor in 2020
• MacBook Air (redesign) – Native Apple Silicon device, introduced with M2 Processor, 2022
• MacBook Pro (Touchbar) – Transitioned to Apple Silicon with M1 processor, 2020
• MacBook Pro (redesign) – Native Apple Silicon device, introduced with M1 processor, 2021

In theory, every new Mac since 2023 has had an Apple Silicon processor in it. With Apple choosing to focus on its own hardware platform

What else can I do?

Here are some fun things you can do with your device if you’re prepared to get your fingers dirty and learn along the way.

• Switch to Linux – Want to use your device until it breaks? Pop a Linux client on it. The majority of the drivers will be baked in, and there are a few distributions that can make the transition easier.
• Switch to ChromeOS Flex – If you’re a little scared of getting your fingers dirty in Linux, Chrome OS Flex can allow your laptop to have an extended life, with the friendliness (and restrictions) of Chrome.
• Or run it whilst being very cautious and ensuring everything else is up-to-date. Whilst not a good security posture  (given the state of the world these days, with everything out to attack your computer), providing you act with care and protect yourself accordingly

What about me?

As well as the 2021 MacBook Pro I have (which is my daily driver), I still have a 15″ MacBook Pro with an Intel Chip in it from 2020 that serves as the backup target for my iPhone, as well as a large format editing computer if I get the urge.

It’s still running Ventura (like my main computer) due to a few legacy bits of software (although all things being equal, that issue is going away shortly as I’ve upgraded my storage), so yes – that will get Taohe to the end of its operational life.

The other Macs I have (including a 2015 MacBook Pro) won’t have much done, as they have served their purposes (other than as emergency devices). With most of the applications I used in the past no longer working, it’ll be a matter of time before I get a Linux ISO on it… when I get time.

The big takeaway is that you have time to plan your next steps and act.