Apple Notification: Intel App Support Being Removed in Future Versions of macOS

Questions

  • What is the Apple notification about Intel apps no longer being supported?
  • I received a pop-up saying some of my apps won't work after the next macOS update — what does that mean?
  • What is Rosetta 2 and why is it going away?
  • Which apps will stop working when macOS Tahoe is released?
  • How do I find out which apps on my Mac are Intel-only?
  • What should I do if one of my work apps is listed as incompatible with the next macOS?
  • Will upgrading to macOS Tahoe break my apps?
  • How do I check whether an app is native Apple silicon or still running on Intel?
  • As a Bowdoin faculty or staff member, who do I contact if a critical app will stop working?

Environment

This article applies to all Bowdoin College students, faculty, and staff who use a Bowdoin-issued or personal Apple Mac. It is most relevant to people currently running macOS Sequoia (15.x) or Tahoe (26.x).

  • Affected devices: Any Mac with Apple silicon (M1 or later) that currently runs Intel apps through Rosetta 2
  • Operating systems in scope: macOS Sequoia (15.x) - preparing for macOS 28 (Fall 2027)
  • Not in scope: Older Intel-based Macs cannot run macOS Tahoe at all and are not addressed in this article

Resolution

Understanding the Notification

Starting with macOS Tahoe (26.x), Apple displays a system notification warning you that one or more apps installed on your Mac are Intel-only and will not be compatible with the major macOS release, macOS 28 (2027).

Here is what is happening in plain terms:

  • When Apple moved from Intel processors to its own Apple silicon chips (M1, M2, M3, M4) starting in 2020, many older apps were still written only for Intel processors.
  • Apple built a compatibility layer called Rosetta 2 that translated Intel app instructions so they could run on Apple silicon Macs. This allowed older Intel-only apps to keep working during the transition.
  • macOS 28 removes Rosetta 2. Any app that has not been updated to run natively on Apple silicon will stop launching entirely after you upgrade in the fall of 2027.
  • The notification you are seeing is Apple giving you advance warning so you can take action before you upgrade.
Important: This notification is genuine and comes directly from Apple - it is not a scam or a phishing attempt. If you see it, you should take action before upgrading to macOS Tahoe.

How to See Which Apps Are Affected

You can view the full list of Intel-only apps on your Mac at any time through System Information.

  1. On your Mac, hold the Option key and click the Apple menu () in the top-left corner of your screen.
  2. Select System Information from the menu.
  3. In the left sidebar of the System Information window, scroll down to the Software section and click Applications.
  4. Wait a moment while System Information scans your installed apps. A list will appear.
  5. Click the Kind column header to sort by app type.
  6. Look for any apps listed as Intel in the "Kind" column. Apps listed as Apple or Universal are already compatible with Apple silicon and will continue to work.
Note: "Universal" means the app contains both an Intel version and an Apple silicon version in the same package. These apps will continue to work after upgrading to macOS Tahoe because they run natively on Apple silicon.

What to Do If You Have Intel-Only Apps

Once you have identified which apps are Intel-only, work through the following steps for each affected app.

  1. Check for an updated version. Visit the developer's website or the Mac App Store to see if an Apple silicon-compatible (Universal or Apple) version of the app is available. If one exists, download and install it to replace the Intel-only version.
  2. Check whether the app is available through Bowdoin IT. For Bowdoin-managed Macs, open Jamf Pro Self Service (found in your Applications folder or Dock) and search for the app. An updated version may already be available for you to install at no cost.
  3. Contact IT if the app is critical to your work. If the app is essential to your teaching, research, or job responsibilities and no compatible update exists, contact the Bowdoin College Service Desk before upgrading to macOS Tahoe. IT can help evaluate alternatives or request a software update from the vendor.
  4. Discontinue apps you no longer need. If the Intel-only app is something you rarely or never use, this is a good time to uninstall it. Drag it to the Trash and empty the Trash to remove it.

How to Check an Individual App's Compatibility

If you want to quickly check a single app rather than scanning your entire app library, follow these steps.

  1. Open the Finder and navigate to your Applications folder.
  2. Right-click (or Control-click) the app icon and choose Get Info.
  3. In the info window that opens, look at the Kind field near the top. It will say one of the following:
    • Application (Universal) — compatible with Apple silicon; will work after upgrading
    • Application (Apple silicon) — natively built for Apple silicon; will work after upgrading
    • Application (Intel) — Intel-only; will not work after upgrading to macOS Tahoe

Additional Help

If you need further assistance, you have several options:

  • Bowdoin Bot: Chat with Bowdoin Bot directly from any KB page for instant answers.
  • Phone: Call the Bowdoin College Service Desk at (207) 725-3030.
  • In person: Visit the Tech Hub in Smith Union during business hours.
  • Submit a ticket: Request assistance through the Service Catalog.

Additional Resources

 

AI-assisted content: This article was created with AI. It was verified and edited by a human.
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