If you've recently updated to macOS 26.4 and started seeing a popup warning every time you open certain apps, you're not alone. Apple has begun alerting Mac users when they launch apps that require Rosetta 2 to run. Here's what the warning means, why Apple added it, and what you should do about it.
What does the warning say?
The notification appears when you open an Intel-based app on a Mac with Apple silicon. The message tells you that the app uses Rosetta, Apple's translation layer that allows software built for Intel processors to run on M-series Macs. Apple added this warning in macOS 26.4 to give users advance notice that Rosetta support is winding down.
You'll see this warning for any app on your Mac that hasn't been updated to run natively on Apple silicon.
Why is Apple showing this now?
Apple announced at WWDC 2025 that macOS 26 Tahoe would be the last version of macOS to support Intel-based Macs. More importantly for Apple silicon users, Apple has confirmed that Rosetta support for general apps will end after macOS 27. The official Apple support article Using Intel-based apps on a Mac with Apple silicon sets out the current Rosetta timeline in full.
Starting with macOS 28, expected in autumn 2027, Rosetta functionality will only be available for a narrow subset of older, unmaintained games that rely on specific Intel frameworks. If you rely on Intel-based apps for everyday work, those apps will stop working entirely on macOS 28 unless they are updated by their developers.
The macOS 26.4 warning is Apple's way of giving you roughly a year to prepare.
Should you be worried?
Not immediately, but it's worth paying attention. The warnings are informational for now. Your Intel-based apps will continue to work normally through macOS 26 and macOS 27. The hard cutoff comes with macOS 28 in 2027.
That said, some apps are more at risk than others. Actively maintained software from major developers — Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Cloud, and most App Store apps — already have native Apple silicon versions available. The apps more likely to remain stuck on Intel are older utilities, printer and scanner drivers, and niche software from smaller developers who may not prioritise a native update.
Can you turn the warnings off?
Yes. If the notifications are disruptive, you can suppress them via an MDM configuration profile using the allowRosettaUsageAwareness key in the com.apple.applicationaccess payload. This is primarily aimed at IT administrators managing Mac fleets who want to handle the transition centrally rather than showing end users repeated popups. Consumer users can also suppress the warnings, though keeping them on is useful as a reminder to plan ahead.
How do you know which apps are affected?
This is the more important question. Seeing a warning for one app is easy to dismiss. But if you have dozens of Intel-based apps across your Mac, you need a clear picture of the full scope before you can plan your migration.
The quickest way to see all your Intel-based apps in one place is to use Rosetta Check, a Mac app that scans your system and produces a complete list of every app that requires Rosetta. For each affected app, it shows you the architecture, disk size, impact score, and — where available — native Apple silicon alternatives recommended by AI.
The Rosetta Check database also tracks over 2,300 Intel-only apps reported from real Mac fleets, so you can search for specific apps and see whether a native version has been spotted in the wild yet.
What should you do now?
A sensible approach for most users:
- Audit your apps. Run a scan with Rosetta Check to see exactly which apps on your Mac still require Rosetta. Some will surprise you — printer drivers, older creative tools, and background utilities are common culprits.
- Check for updates. For each Intel app, check whether the developer has released a native Apple silicon version. Many already have and simply haven't pushed an auto-update yet. The App Store and the developer's website are the best places to check.
- Plan replacements for abandoned software. Some apps, particularly older or discontinued ones, will never receive a native update. For those, you need to find alternatives before macOS 28 arrives. The Rosetta Check app provides AI-generated replacement suggestions for each Intel-based app it finds.
- Don't panic about macOS 27. You have a full macOS release cycle before the hard cutoff. macOS 27 is expected at WWDC 2026 and ships publicly in autumn 2026 — and it still includes full Rosetta support. The deadline is macOS 28, not macOS 27.
A note for IT administrators
If you manage a Mac fleet, the macOS 26.4 warnings are a signal to start your migration planning now. The Rosetta Check app can be deployed silently via MDM — Intune, Jamf, Kandji, Mosyle, and any MDM that supports custom configuration profiles are all supported. It exports scan results as CSV or JSON, making it straightforward to build an inventory of Intel-dependent software across your fleet before macOS 27 ships.
See the MDM deployment guide for configuration profiles, managed preferences, and collection scripts. For a deeper walkthrough, read how to audit your Mac fleet for Rosetta dependency.