Apple has already confirmed that macOS 27 will drop support for Intel-based Macs, marking a major shift for the platform. The announcement came during WWDC 2025, where the company said macOS 26 Tahoe will be the final major release to support Intel hardware. macOS 27 is expected to be unveiled at WWDC 2026, with a wider release later in the year.
This transition has been years in the making. Apple began moving away from Intel in 2020 with the introduction of its M-series chips, and every Mac released since then has used Apple silicon. By the time macOS 27 arrives, it will have been roughly six years since the last Intel Macs shipped, making this a natural cutoff point for software support.
For users on Intel Macs, macOS 26 Tahoe will be the last major update available. Models like the 16-inch MacBook Pro from 2019, the 27-inch iMac from 2020, and the Mac Pro from 2019 are supported by Tahoe but will not be eligible for macOS 27. These devices will continue to work, but they will no longer receive new macOS features after this cycle.
Apple is still expected to provide security updates for Intel Macs for a limited period after macOS 26. Based on Apple’s typical support timeline, that could extend for around three years, potentially through 2028. After that, users will likely need to upgrade to maintain full security and compatibility.
The gap between Intel and Apple silicon Macs is already noticeable. Features tied to on-device machine learning, including Apple Intelligence, require dedicated neural processing hardware that Intel systems lack. Even with macOS 26, some capabilities are restricted to newer Macs, and that divide will continue to grow once macOS 27 arrives.
Apple has also signaled that developers should complete their transition to Apple silicon. Rosetta, which allows Intel apps to run on Apple silicon Macs, will continue to be supported through macOS 27. However, it is expected to be phased out in a future release, likely around macOS 28, which means developers need to fully optimize their apps soon.
For users still holding onto Intel Macs, the timeline is now clear. While their devices will remain usable for a few more years, macOS 27 will mark the point where the platform fully moves on. Upgrading to an Apple silicon Mac will be necessary to stay current with future macOS updates and features.
