Apple is planning to end support for Intel-based Macs with the upcoming macOS 27 release. This move indicates that Apple has completed its transition to its own custom silicon processors and marks the end of an era for Intel-supported Macs. macOS 26 "Tahoe" will be the last version to support Intel hardware.

Key Points

  • macOS 27 will only support Apple Silicon (M-series) Macs.
  • macOS 26 "Tahoe" will be the last version providing support for Intel-based Macs.
  • This transition shows that Apple has completed its process of moving away from Intel processors.

End of Intel Support

Reports indicate that macOS 27, expected to be announced at WWDC in 2026, will not be compatible with any Macs using Intel CPUs. This decision effectively closes the long-standing relationship between Apple and Intel in the Mac series. macOS 26 "Tahoe" will be the final operating system version for Intel-based Macs, including models such as the 2019 16-inch MacBook Pro, 2020 13-inch MacBook Pro, 2020 27-inch iMac, and 2019 Mac Pro.

Full Transition to Apple Silicon

The transition to Apple Silicon began with the introduction of the M1 chip in late 2020. Since then, Apple has gradually introduced its M-series processors across the entire Mac lineup and has reached this final break in Intel compatibility for new operating system releases. Intel Macs will continue to receive security updates for a while, but they will not receive new features or major operating system updates beyond macOS 26.

Implications for Users and the Hackintosh Community

This change means that users with Intel-based Macs should consider transitioning to an Apple Silicon model to continue receiving the latest macOS features and updates. The end of Intel support also has implications for the Hackintosh community, which historically allowed macOS to run on non-Apple hardware. This transition is seen as a testament to Apple's successful strategy in developing its own powerful and efficient processors, which are now regarded as among the best consumer-grade CPUs available.