Developers currently relying on Rosetta 2 to maintain their legacy code should start making preparations, as macOS 27 will be the final version to provide full support for this translation technology. When Apple announced the transition to Apple Silicon in 2020, it emphasized the importance of a gradual shift to ensure that users and their software were not adversely affected. During the WWDC 2025 event, Apple unveiled macOS Tahoe, indicating that not only would Intel Macs be phased out, but so would Rosetta 2.
According to information shared during the Platforms State of the Union, developers have until macOS 28 to transition their applications to run natively on Apple Silicon. Additionally, macOS 26 is marked as the last operating system version that will support Intel-based Macs. Although macOS 28 will still incorporate Rosetta 2, its functionality will be limited, primarily supporting legacy applications such as older games that will not receive further updates.
Meanwhile, full Rosetta 2 capabilities will remain available in macOS 26 and 27. Intel Mac users should seriously consider upgrading to a newer model to ensure they continue receiving comprehensive operating system updates. While Apple might maintain security patches for macOS 26 for an extended period, no further feature updates will be provided for Intel machines.
For those already utilizing Apple Silicon, it is crucial to check that they are using native applications. If any apps remain Intel-based, users should either seek alternative solutions or contact the developers to encourage transitions to native versions. There is ample time for developers and users to adapt, so there is no need to panic just yet.
It is likely that macOS 28 will not be disclosed until the WWDC in 2027.
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