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macOS26 Tahoe Marks End of Major Updates for Intel-Based Macs

Intel Macs will get security patches until 2028 under Apple’s plan to reserve new macOS releases for its own silicon.

MacBook Air 2020
This 2019 MacBook Pro with an Intel chip won’t get macOS 27.
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Overview

  • Apple confirmed at WWDC25 that macOS26 Tahoe will be the final major release compatible with Intel-based Macs.
  • macOS27, due next year, will require an Apple Silicon Mac for all new features and major updates.
  • Only four Intel Mac models—the 16-inch MacBook Pro (2019), 13-inch MacBook Pro (2020), 27-inch iMac (2020) and Mac Pro (2019)—will support Tahoe.
  • These Intel Macs will continue to receive security updates through fall 2028, ensuring ongoing patching despite the end of feature releases.
  • macOS26 Tahoe adopts Apple’s new Liquid Glass design language, and while Rosetta2 support will extend into macOS27, AI features such as Apple Intelligence will run only on Apple Silicon Macs.