Introduction
On July 21, 2025, Apple officially confirmed that its upcoming macOS 15 operating system, expected to be released this fall, will no longer support Intel-based Macs. This announcement marks the final stage of Apple’s years-long transition to its own Apple Silicon chips, completing what it began back in 2020.
Background
In June 2020, Apple announced its bold plan to move away from Intel processors, which had powered Macs for over 15 years. The company revealed its own ARM-based M1 chip, offering improved performance, energy efficiency, and better integration with iOS and iPadOS apps. Initially, Apple said the full transition would take about two years. While the M1, M2, and M3 generations have since been widely adopted, Apple continued to support Intel Macs through macOS Sonoma (version 14) and even provided security updates for older Intel devices.
However, the performance gap and compatibility issues between Intel and Apple Silicon machines have grown increasingly stark. Apple developers have also been calling for a clean break so they can fully optimize their apps for the new architecture.
What Happened?
During a developer Q&A session at Apple Park, Senior Vice President of Software Engineering Craig Federighi made the announcement: “macOS 15 is designed from the ground up to fully leverage the power and efficiency of Apple Silicon. Supporting Intel architecture at this point would limit our ability to innovate and deliver the best possible user experience.”
Apple clarified that macOS 15 will not install on Intel-based Macs, even though security updates for macOS 14 will continue for at least another year. macOS 15 is expected to introduce major updates to AI-powered productivity features, enhanced integration with iPhone and iPad, and a redesigned System Settings app.
Industry Reactions
The announcement received mixed reactions. Developers largely welcomed the move, citing improved optimization and streamlined development workflows. Many noted that maintaining backward compatibility with Intel was holding the platform back. However, some users with older Intel Macs expressed frustration, especially those who purchased high-end Intel Mac Pros only a few years ago.
John Gruber of Daring Fireball wrote: “This was inevitable, and frankly overdue. Apple Silicon Macs are so superior, the Intel holdouts have become an unnecessary burden.”
On social media, hashtags like #macOS15 and #RIPIntelMacs trended for hours after the announcement.
Potential Impact
Approximately 15% of active Macs worldwide still use Intel processors, according to IDC. Apple is expected to offer trade-in incentives and financing options to encourage upgrades. For enterprise customers who still rely on Intel Macs, the transition may take longer, and they’ll need to adjust their infrastructure accordingly.
Future Outlook
Apple has promised to continue providing security updates for Intel Macs on macOS 14 and earlier versions through at least 2026. Meanwhile, the company will likely expand its Apple Silicon lineup even further, possibly introducing new entry-level and professional-grade machines later this year.
Consumers and developers can expect an even tighter integration between macOS and Apple’s broader ecosystem, powered exclusively by Apple Silicon.
