Technology
Apple allows Mac App Store developers to drop Intel support
Developers targeting macOS 13 or later may now restrict universal apps to Apple silicon architectures.
The short version
- Apple informed developers that universal Mac App Store applications requiring macOS 13 or newer are no longer required to support Intel-based hardware.
- Developers can switch build configurations exclusively to arm64 to reduce package sizes and streamline maintenance.
- Users on Intel Macs will retain access to the latest compatible release of modified applications.
- The policy change accompanies the phaseout of Intel hardware support in macOS 27 Golden Gate and the eventual retirement of Rosetta 2.
Key facts
- Apple notified developers that universal Mac App Store applications requiring macOS 13 or later can drop support for Intel-based processors.[9to5Mac]
- Developers can remove Intel compatibility by setting build configurations strictly to arm64 before rebuilding and resubmitting to the Mac App Store.[9to5Mac]
- Intel Mac users will still be able to download and run the last version of an app compatible with their system.[9to5Mac]
- The transition coincides with macOS 27 Golden Gate ending operating system support for Intel-powered Macs entirely.[9to5Mac]
- Apple previously stated that Rosetta 2 will be discontinued after macOS 27, excluding exceptions for select games.[9to5Mac]