Apple confirms macOS 27 Golden Gate requires Apple Silicon, ending Intel support
The tech giant unveiled its latest operating system at WWDC 2026, marking a definitive shift in hardware requirements while maintaining support for legacy devices for two more years.
Apple has officially confirmed that macOS 27 Golden Gate will not support Intel-based Macs, requiring users to possess Apple Silicon processors to run the new operating system. The announcement was made during the WWDC 2026 keynote held at Apple Park on 8 June 2026, where the company unveiled its "Class of ’27" software suite under a "groovy hippie" theme.
macOS 26 Tahoe stands as the final version of the operating system to offer native support for Intel-powered machines. This decision concludes a transition period that began in 2020 when Apple introduced its first Apple Silicon chip, the M1. The extended support timeline has allowed the company to maintain compatibility with older hardware for several years following the initial switch to its proprietary architecture.
While new hardware requirements are now in place, Apple confirmed it will continue to provide security updates for Intel Macs through 2028. This commitment ensures that users of legacy devices can maintain system security without being forced to upgrade their hardware immediately, despite the inability to install the latest feature set.
The new operating system introduces significant updates to Siri and Apple Intelligence, including on-screen awareness and back-and-forth conversational capabilities. Notably, Siri in macOS 27 is powered by Google’s Gemini models, reflecting a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing the assistant's responsiveness and contextual understanding.
The software launch coincides with a major leadership transition within the company. CEO Tim Cook delivered his final address as chief executive at WWDC 2026, with Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering John Ternus set to succeed him on 1 September 2026.
