One of the biggest changes arriving with macOS 27 Golden Gate is the end of the Intel Mac era. For the first time since Apple began its transition to Apple Silicon in 2020, the latest version of macOS will exclusively support Macs powered by Apple-designed chips.
That means any Mac equipped with an M-series processor, from the original M1 to the latest M5 family, will be eligible for the update when Golden Gate launches later this year. Intel-based Macs, however, will no longer receive major macOS upgrades.
Devices compatible with macOS Golden Gate
You may find all the devices that will support macOS Golden Gate, Apple’s latest OS announced at WWDC 26.
- MacBook Neo — All models supported.
- MacBook Air — Models released in 2020 or later with Apple Silicon (M1 and newer).
- MacBook Pro — Models released in 2020 or later with Apple Silicon (M1 and newer).
- Mac Mini — Models released in 2020 or later with Apple Silicon.
- iMac — Models released in 2021 or later with Apple Silicon.
- Mac Studio — All models supported.
- Mac Pro — 2023 model and newer with Apple Silicon.
The change allows Apple to focus entirely on optimizing macOS for its own chips, enabling deeper integration with Apple Intelligence features, improved performance and better power efficiency across the platform.
