In a historic but expected move, Apple has announced that macOS Tahoe will be the final operating system to support Intel-based Macs. Starting with macOS 27, only Apple Silicon-powered Macs will receive major macOS updates, marking the definitive end of Intel’s era in Apple’s desktop and laptop ecosystem.
The announcement came during Apple’s Platforms State of the Union presentation at WWDC 2025 and confirms a shift years in the making.
“Apple Silicon enables us all to achieve things that were previously unimaginable, and it’s time to put all of our focus and innovation there,” Apple declared in a clear message signaling a full commitment to its in-house chips.
macOS Tahoe (officially branded as macOS 26 under Apple’s new naming system aligned with the calendar year) will be the last macOS version compatible with Intel hardware. Any future updates starting with macOS 27 in 2026 will exclusively target Macs running M1, M2, M3, or newer Apple Silicon processors.
Only Four Intel Macs Still Supported
Even with macOS Tahoe, support is extremely limited for Intel Macs. Only the following four models are compatible:
- 2019 16-inch MacBook Pro
- 2020 Intel 13-inch MacBook Pro
- 2020 27-inch iMac
- 2019 Mac Pro
These were the last of their kind, and although they’ll receive macOS 26 this fall, they will not get macOS 27 or any future macOS versions.
Users of older Intel Macs, such as the 2017 iMacs or 2018 MacBook Air, have already stopped receiving major feature updates over the past couple of years. With macOS 26, Apple effectively places a capstone on its Intel legacy.
What Happens Next?
If you’re using one of the supported Intel Macs, there’s no need to panic yet. As Apple has done historically, the company will continue issuing security patches and maintenance updates for macOS 26 on supported Intel models for at least three more years, likely until fall 2028.
However, you won’t get access to new features, app enhancements, or system redesigns included in macOS 27 and beyond. If you’re a developer, power user, or simply want to stay current with macOS innovations, it’s time to begin planning a transition to Apple Silicon.
Why Is Apple Ending Intel Support Now?
Apple began its shift to Apple Silicon with the M1 chip in 2020, a move that promised and delivered better performance, efficiency, and integration across its hardware and software ecosystem. By 2023, every Mac product had a Silicon-powered counterpart, and Apple officially ceased sales of Intel Macs, including the final holdouts like the 2019 Mac Pro and 2018 Mac mini.
Ending Intel support isn’t just a strategic decision it’s a technical one. The performance gap between Intel and Apple Silicon machines is vast. Apple can now focus on optimizing macOS for unified memory architecture, Neural Engine-powered intelligence features, and deep GPU/CPU integration that Intel-based machines cannot replicate.
This move also simplifies development: Apple no longer needs to split resources to maintain compatibility layers for two fundamentally different processor architectures.
Intel Mac Buyers in 2022–2023 Hit the Hardest
Interestingly, Apple continued selling Intel Macs into 2023, particularly the 2019 Mac Pro and 2018 Mac mini. Buyers who invested in these expensive machines relatively recently will only get one or two years of full macOS updates.
These late adopters may understandably feel frustrated, but Apple argues that their machines will remain usable with security support for a few more years and full access to professional apps and tools that do not require macOS 27.
Still, for many, this marks the end of the road for professional workflows tied to Intel-based Macs, particularly in creative fields that rely on macOS-specific tools.
As the last version of macOS for Intel Macs, macOS Tahoe arrives with more than just a name change. Apple unveiled new features at WWDC 2025 that all compatible Macs Intel and Silicon can enjoy:
- A Liquid Glass interface redesign, bringing translucent elements and frosted UI touches across the system.
- An all-new Games app that centralizes Mac gaming, game controller settings, and access to Apple Arcade.
- Spotlight enhancements that include deeper AI integrations and improved app and file discovery.
However, some features especially those tied to Apple Intelligence will remain exclusive to Apple Silicon Macs, including voice-driven productivity tools, real-time content summarization, and new generative AI capabilities in productivity apps like Pages and Mail.
If you’re still using an Intel Mac and want access to future macOS features, the message is clear: Upgrade to Apple Silicon. The entry-level MacBook Air M2 or the more powerful Mac Studio with M3 Ultra offer substantial performance gains even over high-end Intel Macs.
And with Apple Intelligence becoming a central part of Apple’s software ecosystem available only on Apple Silicon staying with Intel means gradually falling behind in day-to-day capabilities.
macOS Tahoe closes the book on nearly two decades of Intel-powered Macs. Apple’s decision, while expected, marks a significant milestone in its history: a complete hardware and software ecosystem built entirely in-house.
For users and developers alike, this means better performance, faster updates, and a tighter integration of hardware and software. For Intel Mac owners, it’s a call to prepare for the future a future built on Apple Silicon.
