macOS Golden Gate: What It Means For Your Mac
Today at WWDC, Apple previewed the next major version of macOS, called macOS Golden Gate, and confirmed an important change: from this release forward, you’ll need an Apple silicon Mac to run the latest Mac software. That means Intel‑based Macs that made it to last year’s macOS Tahoe will not be moving on to Golden Gate.
Here are the Mac models that will support macOS Golden Gate:
- MacBook Neo (2026)
- MacBook Air with Apple silicon (2020 and later)
- MacBook Pro with Apple silicon (2020 and later)
- iMac with Apple silicon (2021 and later)
- Mac mini with Apple silicon (2020 and later)
- Mac Studio with Apple silicon (2022 and later)
- Mac Pro with Apple silicon (2023 and later)
Four Intel models that ran macOS Tahoe are being left behind this year:
- MacBook Pro (16‑inch, 2019)
- MacBook Pro (13‑inch, 2020, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
- iMac (2020)
- Mac Pro (2019)
If your Mac is on that list, the good news is that macOS Tahoe will still receive security updates for quite some time, and MacMedics will continue to support and service these systems. You just won’t see the newest macOS features unless you move to an Apple silicon Mac.
Not sure where your Mac lands, or what you should do next? Bring it by our Severna Park store or give us a call. We’ll help you check your model, talk through your options, and plan a smart upgrade path that fits your budget and workflow.
P.S. if you’re running one of Apple’s tower style Time Capsules, those will no longer work after Tahoe 26
