macOS Tahoe 26.4 Displays Warnings for Apps That Won't Work After Rosetta 2 Support Ends

Source: MacRumors

by Juli Clover

macOS Tahoe 26.4 ends Rosetta 2 support for Intel‑based Macs

macOS Tahoe will be the last version of macOS that supports Intel‑based Macs, with Apple planning to phase out Intel Macs entirely following its transition to Apple silicon.

Apple today reminded developers and users that future versions of macOS will not support Intel machines, and Rosetta 2 support for apps will end after macOS 27. Starting with macOS Tahoe 26.4, when users launch an app that uses Rosetta 2, a popup will inform them that the app will no longer work when Rosetta 2 support ends.

Apple says it will continue to support older, unmaintained gaming titles with Rosetta, along with software running Intel binaries in Linux VMs, beyond macOS 27. There could also be future security fixes.

Key points

• Last Intel‑compatible macOS: macOS Tahoe is the final macOS version that runs on Intel Macs.
• Rosetta 2 warning: macOS 26.4 introduces a popup warning for apps that rely on Rosetta 2, indicating they will stop working after Rosetta 2 support ends.
• Extended support for legacy software: Apple will keep older gaming titles and Intel binaries running in Linux virtual machines supported via Rosetta beyond macOS 27, potentially with security updates.
• Announcement timeline: Apple first announced plans to stop supporting Intel Macs with new macOS releases in June 2025, when macOS Tahoe debuted at WWDC.
• Silicon transition history: The shift to Apple silicon began with the 2020 launch of the M1 Macs and was completed three years later with the Apple‑silicon Mac Pro.
• macOS 27 release: macOS 27 is slated for September 2026, marking the final end of Intel‑based Mac support.

Timeline

Transition to Apple silicon

• 2020: Launch of the M1 Mac machines.
• 2023: Release of the Apple‑silicon Mac Pro, completing the transition.

Intel support phase‑out

• June 2025: Apple announced the end of Intel support with macOS Tahoe at WWDC.
• macOS 26.4: Introduces Rosetta 2 warning popup for Intel‑dependent apps.
• September 2026: macOS 27 launch; Rosetta 2 support ends.

References

• Apple’s original announcement: Intel Macs no more updates (June 2025)
• macOS Tahoe overview: macOS Tahoe roundup
• M1 guide: M1 Macs
• Apple‑silicon Mac Pro: Mac Pro roundup