Apple released macOS 27, called Golden Gate, on September 14, and the first update, 27.0.1, followed on September 28 with bug fixes. If your Mac is offering you the upgrade, it is a good time to pause and plan, because this release changes more than the look of your desktop.
Two things that make this release different
It only runs on Apple silicon. Golden Gate is the first macOS that does not support Intel-based Macs. If your Mac has an M-series chip, you can upgrade. If it has an Intel processor, it will stay on macOS Tahoe 26 or earlier. Not sure which you have? Choose Apple menu > About This Mac and look at the line labeled Chip or Processor.
It is the last version with full support for older Intel apps. Apple silicon Macs use a translation layer called Rosetta to run apps that were written for Intel Macs. Apple has said that Rosetta is available through macOS 27, and that starting with macOS 28 it will work only for certain older games. Any Intel-only app you depend on will need an update or a replacement before next year's macOS.
Find out if you rely on Intel-only apps
This takes a few minutes and is worth doing now, whether or not you upgrade this month.
- On macOS Golden Gate: open System Settings > General > About, then click Details next to Intel-based Apps for a list of recently used ones.
- On any version: select an app in your Applications folder, press Command-I, and look at Kind. "Application (Intel)" means it is Intel-only. "Universal" or "Apple silicon" means you are fine.
For anything flagged as Intel-only, check with the developer about an Apple silicon version. Pay special attention to accounting, practice management and industry-specific software, plus printer, scanner and label-maker drivers, which are often the last to be updated.
Should you upgrade now?
For most people, upgrading over the next few weeks is reasonable, now that the first round of fixes is out. A little preparation avoids most problems:
- Back up first. Make sure Time Machine, or whatever backup you use, has completed a recent backup, and that you can actually see your files in it.
- Check your must-have apps. Look on each developer's website for Golden Gate compatibility, especially for anything you use to run your business or get paid.
- Pick a good time. A major upgrade can take an hour or more. Start it at the end of the day, not before a deadline.
For offices: do not upgrade every Mac at once. Upgrade one Mac that is used for everyday work, live with it for a week, and then roll the upgrade out to everyone else.
If you have an Intel Mac
There is no need to panic. Apple is still releasing security updates for macOS Tahoe 26 and Sequoia 15. Both received fixes on September 28. Keep installing those updates, and your Mac remains a safe place to work for now.
It is, however, a good moment to start planning. Intel Macs will not receive new features, and security support for older versions does not last forever. If an Intel Mac is central to your work, budgeting for its replacement over the next year or two is a sensible move, and it makes the eventual switch a planned project instead of an emergency.
The bottom line
Golden Gate is a solid upgrade for Apple silicon Macs. Back up, check your key apps, and upgrade when it suits you. Use this release as a prompt to find any Intel-only software and Intel Macs you still depend on, so next year's changes do not catch you off guard.