Apple’s latest macOS 27 Golden Gate marks the final major release to keep Intel‑based apps alive on Apple silicon. The update strips away Rosetta 2, the translation layer that has allowed legacy binaries to run unchanged since the M1’s launch. Developers now face a hard deadline: after September, Intel‑only software will stop functioning on new Macs today.

Since 2020, Apple has encouraged developers to rewrite their applications for the M‑series architecture, offering Rosetta 2 as a bridge. Apple’s WWDC 2025 statement committed the company to keep the translator available for two releases—through macOS 27—before narrowing it to legacy game titles. The beta release now forces users to replace or rebuild apps for their future work on devices.

Users already installed Rosetta 2 on macOS 26 Tahoe will find it removed automatically in Golden Gate, forcing a manual reinstall if required. Apple has issued alerts in versions 26.4 and 26.5 warning that Intel‑only apps will cease support in the next major macOS update. The final release pushes developers to deliver native silicon binaries or discontinue legacy software for every user today.