Six years after Apple began transitioning the Mac to Apple silicon, the vast majority of popular apps have been updated to run natively. But a significant tail of Intel-only software remains, ranging from printer drivers that manufacturers have quietly abandoned to niche utilities that may never see an update. This post draws on real data from the Rosetta Check community database to highlight the most commonly reported Intel holdouts in 2026.
Where the data comes from
The Rosetta Check database aggregates anonymous app architecture reports from Mac users who have run the Rosetta Check app and opted in to community sharing. With over 420 Macs contributing data, the database reflects real-world Mac fleets rather than theoretical app lists. Apps are ranked by the number of distinct Macs on which they have been reported.
Printer and scanner drivers: the biggest problem category
Peripheral drivers represent by far the most stubborn category of Intel holdouts. Unlike general-purpose software, printer and scanner drivers are tightly coupled to specific hardware models, and manufacturers frequently stop updating drivers for older hardware long before users are ready to replace it.
Epson appears extensively in the database. Epson Scanner (com.epson.scanner.ica), seen on over 90 Macs in the database, remains Intel-only. Several Epson FAX Utility components, the EPSON Software Updater, and Epson Scanner Monitor are all Intel. Epson's newer hardware ships with Universal drivers, but models more than a few years old are unlikely to receive native updates.
Canon scanner components including multiple versions of Canon IJScanner (IJScanner2, IJScanner4, IJScanner6) remain Intel-only. These ICA scanner extensions are used by macOS's Image Capture for scanning workflows and will stop working entirely on macOS 28.
HP has a cluster of Intel-only components including HP Utility, HP Scanner and Scanner 3, HP Fax Archive, HP Alerts, and various print filter components. HP's newer hardware generally ships with native drivers through AirPrint, but older models remain dependent on Intel software.
Brother scanner and monitoring utilities including Brother Scanner, Brother Status Monitor, and several server components remain Intel-only for older hardware.
For peripheral drivers, the practical advice is to check whether your hardware supports macOS's built-in driverless printing (AirPrint) and driverless scanning capabilities, which are native and do not use Rosetta. If the manufacturer has released a native driver for your specific model, install it. If neither option exists, the hardware itself may need replacing before macOS 28.
Adobe legacy components
The main Adobe Creative Cloud applications — Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, After Effects — have been available as native Apple silicon apps for several years. However, a cluster of Adobe background components and legacy installers persists in Intel form on many Macs.
Adobe Setup (com.adobe.Installers.Setup), Adobe Uninstall Product, the Adobe IPC Broker, adobe_licensing_helper, and various uninstaller components appear in the database with significant device counts. These are typically background processes and installers rather than apps users open directly, but they are still Intel binaries that will fail on macOS 28.
If you have a full current Creative Cloud subscription and have run the Creative Cloud desktop app recently, many of these will have been replaced. But older installations that have been updated in place rather than cleanly reinstalled may still carry Intel legacy components.
Navigation and device sync software
Garmin Express (com.garmin.renu.client) remains Intel-only and has been seen on over 35 Macs in the database. Garmin has been slow to update desktop software for Apple silicon. If you use Garmin devices and rely on Express for map updates, this is one to watch closely.
Garmin BaseCamp similarly remains Intel and has no confirmed Apple silicon version.
TomTom MyDrive Connect (com.tomtom.mytomtomsa) remains Intel-only. TomTom's consumer GPS hardware has largely been superseded by smartphone navigation, which may reduce pressure on the company to update desktop software.
Android File Transfer (com.google.android.mtpviewer) remains Intel-only. Google has not released a native version. Alternatives include OpenMTP, which is actively maintained and available as a Universal binary.
Older versions of mainstream software
One pattern the database reveals is mainstream software appearing as Intel-only because users are running old versions rather than because the current version lacks a native build.
Microsoft Office apps including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Outlook appear in the Intel column on a significant number of Macs. Current versions of all these apps are Universal and run natively on Apple silicon. If you are seeing Microsoft apps flagged as Intel, you are almost certainly running a version from before 2021. Updating to the current release through the Mac App Store or the Microsoft AutoUpdate mechanism resolves this.
VLC appears as Intel on some Macs. Current VLC releases are Universal. Again, an older installation is the likely cause.
Zoom appears as Intel on some Macs in the database. The current Zoom client is Universal. Users on older installations should update.
For mainstream commercial software appearing in your own Intel list, the first step is always to check whether updating resolves it before assuming no native version exists.
Long-tail and niche software
AusweisApp (com.governikus.ausweisapp2), the German government's electronic ID card software, appears as Intel-only and has been seen on a significant number of Macs, reflecting its use in German enterprise environments.
OpenOffice (org.openoffice.script) remains Intel-only. OpenOffice development has slowed significantly in recent years. LibreOffice, the actively maintained fork, released a native Apple silicon version and is the recommended migration path for OpenOffice users.
Amazon Kindle Classic (com.amazon.Kindle) remains Intel-only on Mac. Amazon has not released a native Apple silicon version. The Mac App Store version of Kindle is a different app (an iPad app running via Mac Catalyst) that runs natively, and it is the recommended replacement.
Sonos (com.sonos.macController2) remains Intel-only. The newer Sonos app has had a troubled release history, and the older Intel controller app remains in active use on many Macs.
WD Discovery, WD Drive Utilities, and WD Security from Western Digital all remain Intel-only according to the database. Western Digital has native versions of some utilities but older installations persist.
Logitech Unifying Software (com.logitech.unifying.assistant) remains Intel-only. Logitech's newer Logi Options+ software is Universal, but users of older Unifying receivers may still be running the legacy Intel app.
ClipGrab (de.clipgrab.ClipGrab) remains Intel-only as of 2026.
Gaming
Steam (com.valvesoftware.steam) and Steam Link appear in the database as Intel on a number of Macs. Valve has been actively updating the Steam client and the native Apple silicon version is available — users seeing Steam flagged as Intel likely have an older installation. Individual games within Steam are a separate matter: many older titles will never receive Apple silicon updates and will stop working on macOS 28 regardless of the client.
What to do if you have affected apps
Browse the Rosetta Check community database to search for any app by name or bundle ID. Each entry shows the device count, native version sightings spotted by the community, and replacement suggestions. Download the Rosetta Check app to scan your own Mac and see a personalised list with AI-generated migration recommendations.
For a wider perspective on what's coming, see what happens to your Intel apps in macOS 28 and why macOS 26.4 is showing Rosetta warnings. Apple's official guidance is in the support article Using Intel-based apps on a Mac with Apple silicon.