Apple will soon be ending support for Intel-based Macs

During Apple's WWDC keynote yesterday, the company announced the upcoming launch of macOS Tahoe 26 — the operating system update for MacBook laptops and iMac desktops. The macOS 26 update will launch in the fall, and Apple also said this will be the final software release for Intel-based Macs. That means any iMac or MacBook not equipped with an Apple silicon chip will no longer receive future software updates post-Tahoe.

Basically, if you have a laptop with an M1, M2, M3, or M4 chip, you're safe. Some Macs released in 2019 and 2020 with Intel chips can also be upgraded to Tahoe. Older Intel Macs without support will still be usable, but they'll soon be very outdated.

This is not an unexpected development, as Apple has been distancing itself from its Intel-based machines ever since the release of the first in-house Apple silicon chip back in 2020, the M1. Once the 2023 MacBook Pro M3 was released, Apple fully stopped manufacturing new Intel Macs, and this news only further solidifies the company's Intel breakup.

Intel Macs that are compatible with Tahoe will still receive security updates for the next three years, but that's it. “Apple silicon enables us all to achieve things that were previously unimaginable, and it’s time to put all of our focus and innovation there,” Apple Senior Director of Developer Relations, Matthew Firlik, said during the WWDC keynote. “If you’ve not done so already, now is a great time to help your users migrate to the Apple silicon versions of your apps.”

A breakdown of all macOS-Tahoe-compatible Macs can be found on Apple's website. The list is as follows:

• MacBook Air with Apple silicon (2020 and later)

• MacBook Pro with Apple silicon (2020 and later)

• MacBook Pro (16‑inch, 2019)

• MacBook Pro (13‑inch, 2020, four Thunderbolt 3 ports)

• iMac (2020 and later)

• Mac mini (2020 and later)

• Mac Studio (2022 and later)

• Mac Pro (2019 and later)