macOS 27 Ends a Major Software Era
▼ Summary
– Apple announced that macOS 26 Tahoe is the last major macOS version that will support Intel-based Macs.
– The next release, macOS 27, will require an Apple silicon Mac, such as one with an M-series or A18 Pro chip.
– macOS 27 is expected to enter beta in June and receive a full public release around September.
– macOS Tahoe supports a range of Macs, including specific Intel models from 2019-2020 and all Apple silicon models from 2020 onward.
– Several Intel Macs compatible with Tahoe, like the 2019 Mac Pro, will not be able to upgrade to macOS 27.
The transition to Apple silicon has reached a definitive milestone. At WWDC 2025, Apple announced that macOS 26 Tahoe will serve as the final major operating system update for Intel-based Macs. This marks the end of a significant software era, concluding the company’s multi-year architectural shift. The next version, macOS 27, will be exclusive to Macs powered by Apple’s own silicon, requiring an M-series chip or the A18 Pro chip found in the MacBook Neo.
Users can expect the first beta of macOS 27 to arrive in June, with a full public release likely following in September. To install this update, your hardware must meet the new requirement. This means the software will not be available for any Intel Mac, regardless of its capability to run the current macOS Tahoe.
The list of machines compatible with macOS 26 Tahoe is comprehensive, serving as the last hurrah for a wide range of models. It includes the MacBook Neo (2026), all MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini, and Mac Studio models from 2020 or later with Apple silicon, plus several key Intel-based systems. Specifically, the compatible Intel Macs are the 16-inch MacBook Pro (2019), the 27-inch iMac (2020), the 13-inch MacBook Pro (2020, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports), and the Mac Pro (2019). These are the models that will hit a software wall with the release of macOS 27.
While Apple has not yet published the official compatibility list for macOS 27, the expectation is clear. The update will presumably support all Macs with an M1 chip or newer, encompassing the entire lineup from the original M1 models to the latest M-series and the A18 Pro. This move solidifies Apple’s complete reliance on its custom silicon for future software innovation, leaving Intel architecture behind for good.
(Source: MacRumors)
