Guides
Plain-language guides to the end of Rosetta: what changes, how to check your Mac, and what you can do. Every guide says when its facts were last checked.
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macOS 27 Golden Gate: the last macOS for Intel apps
macOS 27 Golden Gate came out on 14 September 2026. It runs only on Apple silicon and is the last macOS that runs Intel-only apps through Rosetta.
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macOS 28 and Rosetta: what stops working
Apple ends Rosetta for apps after macOS 27. What stops working on Apple silicon Macs with macOS 28, what keeps working and what to do now — with sources.
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How to find Intel-only apps on your Mac
Four ways to see which of your Mac apps are Intel-only and will stop working in macOS 28 — Finder, System Information, Activity Monitor and Terminal.
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How to run Intel apps on Apple silicon after macOS 28
Your options once Rosetta is gone: a native version, an alternative, staying on macOS 27, or a VM — UTM, VirtualBuddy, Parallels and Keep86 compared.
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macOS virtual machine on a Mac: UTM, VirtualBuddy, Parallels
How to run macOS in a virtual machine on an Apple silicon Mac — UTM, VirtualBuddy and Parallels Desktop compared, Apple’s licence limits, and Keep86.
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What is Rosetta 2 on a Mac, and how long will it last?
Rosetta 2 lets Apple silicon Macs run apps built for Intel. How it works, how to tell which apps use it, how to install it, and when Apple ends it.
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How to install Rosetta 2 on a Mac (and check it’s there)
Rosetta 2 has no separate download. Install it from the prompt or with one Terminal command, check that it is installed, and know when you need it.
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Does your Mac have Apple silicon or Intel? How to check
Two ways to see which processor your Mac has, and what the end of Rosetta means for Apple silicon Macs, for Intel Macs and for your next Mac.
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macOS virtual machines and Apple’s licence explained
Apple’s licence allows up to two macOS virtual machines per Mac, for development, testing, macOS Server or personal, non-commercial use. What it means.
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Intel-only Mac apps by the numbers (Homebrew data)
How many Mac apps still need Rosetta? Homebrew’s public package data in October 2026: 765 of 7,780 apps, the most-installed ones and what it means.
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Before macOS 28: a checklist for your Intel-only apps
Eight steps while your Intel-only apps still run: find them, update what you can, keep installers and licence keys, export data and plan the upgrade.
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Run Windows apps on a Mac: your options on Apple silicon
CrossOver, Parallels with Windows 11 on Arm, and why Whisky stopped — plus how running Windows apps differs from keeping Intel Mac apps after macOS 28.