Apple's next big macOS update is mere weeks away, and according to recent information, a few older Intel-based Macs will not get it. Apple is planning a major shakeup when it comes to the naming scheme of its operating systems, aligning them with a year-based solution instead of the order of release. This means that the company will not release macOS 16 next month and instead jump straight to macOS 26. Well, some Macs would not support or be compatible with macOS 26.
Apple will end support for four older Macs this year, as they will not be compatible with macOS 26
According to people familiar with the matter cited by AppleInsider, Apple will end support for macOS 26 on four models of Macs, all of them with an Intel chip. You have to note that only the older models of Macs are being removed from the compatibility list.
The following Macs will not be compatible with macOS 26:
- 2018 MacBook Pro
- 2017 iMac Pro
- 2018 Mac mini
- 2020 MacBook Air (Intel-based)
The Macs mentioned above are the oldest models to support Apple's current macOS Sequoia update, but unfortunately, they will not be compatible with the upcoming update. The Macs were also omitted from the developmental builds, which indicates that the final version of the update will not support the hardware.
This is the second time the company has let go of some Macs as it moves closer to supporting models with Apple Silicon. Currently, there are only a few Macs left in the company's lineup that are Intel-based but will still be compatible with macOS 26. You can check out the list below for more details.
- 2019 and newer MacBook Pro models
- 2020 and newer iMac models
- 2019 and newer Mac Pro models
- M1 and newer Mac mini models
- All Mac Studio models
- M1 and newer MacBook Air models
Apple will announce macOS 26 at its WWDC event next month alongside iOS 26, watchOS 26, and many other updates. The company will potentially unify the names as well as the design language of the updates, which means that each update will take certain elements from visionOS, specifically the transparent glass-like effects and menus. Moreover, the company will also bring major design changes to iOS 26 with circular app icons and much more. The company could also surprise us with support for older Macs, so be sure to take the news with a grain of salt. We will share more details on iOS 26 compatibility soon, so stick around.
About the author: Ali Salman is a technology reporter for Wccftech mobile section with a specialized focus on Apple and the intellectual property that drives mobile innovation. He has cultivated a unique expertise in analyzing and deconstructing complex technology patents, translating dense legal and technical documents into clear, insightful reports on future products.
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