Apple confirmed that the upcoming macOS 27 Golden Gate will run exclusively on Apple Silicon hardware. The release drops support for every Intel‑based Mac, ending a transition that began with the 2020 M1 launch in the MacBook Air, Pro and Mac mini. It also dovetails with Apple’s hardware‑software unification.

Intel Macs that remain on macOS 26 Tahoe will continue receiving security and Safari updates for roughly two years after Golden Gate ships, while devices on macOS 15 Sequoia get one more year of support. Apple Silicon machines retain Rosetta 2, allowing legacy Intel apps to run, though future releases will narrow that compatibility to older games. This timeline gives enterprises a clear migration window.

The shift forces owners of 2019‑2020 Intel Macs to either upgrade hardware or rely on third‑party tools like OpenCore Legacy Patcher to extend the life of unsupported machines. By closing the Intel window, Apple accelerates its silicon‑only ecosystem, simplifying development but leaving a segment of the user base with limited upgrade paths. Customers will weigh cost versus performance gains.