Apple’s new macOS 26 will be the last version to support Intel Macs according to latest announcement

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Apple’s next OS update has been revealed, and it is breaking the usual naming convention. As rumored a couple of weeks ago before its big conference, all of Apple’s operating systems will follow the same numbering scheme, based on the year following their release.
That’s why it’s starting with macOS 26, which is coming later this year. During the announcement of the new operating system, it was also stated that this is the final release for Intel Macs. That comes from Matt Firlik, the Senior Director of Developer Relations, suggesting that now is the best time to migrate users to the Apple Silicon version of apps.
Apple first transitioned from Intel to its ARM-based chips over five years ago and has since completely moved over to Apple Silicon. Therefore, it’s no surprise that Intel CPU-based devices will no longer be supported from this update forward.
Three years of security updates
It’s not all doom and gloom for these devices just yet, though, as Lauren Klug, an Apple spokesperson, clarified that Intel-based Macs compatible with macOS Tahoe will receive three years of security updates. That will just about keep it going, but Apple expects everyone to transition by that point.
Considering all the benefits of Apple Silicon with its Arm M chips, it’s no surprise that those are now the primary focus. As they provide some impressive performance in efficiency, they are capable of doing much more than the Intel processors. Matt lists some of those as integrating Apple Intelligence, Game Mode, Presenter Overlay, and more.
macOS 26 also introduces an overhauled look, similar to the one introduced by the Apple Vision Pro in its operating system. Unifying the look and features of that to a broader range of devices, at least the Intel products will have a clean-looking OS at the end of it.
macOS 26 “Tahgoe” compatible devices
- MacBook Air with Apple silicon (2020 and later)
- MacBook Pro with Apple silicon (2020 and later)
- MacBook Pro (16‑inch, 2019)
- MacBook Pro (13‑inch, 2020, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
- iMac (2020 and later)
- Mac mini (2020 and later)
- Mac Studio (2022 and later)
- Mac Pro (2019 and later)