With macOS Golden Gate, Apple phased out several legacy features and services, cutting support for older devices and accessories. More cuts are coming in macOS 28 as Apple continues to root out lingering Intel features.
Here’s everything that’s been dropped.
- Support for Intel Macs – macOS Golden Gate is the first version of macOS that runs only on Apple silicon Macs. Intel Macs can’t run it and are limited to macOS Tahoe. Apple still plans to offer security updates through fall 2028.
- Boot Camp Assistant – Since macOS Golden Gate doesn’t run on Intel Macs, it doesn’t support Boot Camp. Apple silicon Macs require virtualization software like Parallels or VMware Fusion to run Windows.
- Rosetta 2 (Temporarily) – Upgrading to macOS Golden Gate removes Rosetta, but if you have an app installed that requires it, you can reinstall it. macOS Golden Gate is the last version of macOS that will have full Rosetta support.
- Apple Filing Protocol – Apple deprecated AFP back in macOS Sequoia 15.5, and there is no AFP client at all in macOS Golden Gate.
- Time Capsule Backups – With no support for AFP, Time Capsule no longer works with Macs running macOS Golden Gate. Time Capsule requires AFP or SMBv1, but Time Machine backups now use the SMBv2 or SMBv3 protocol.
- AirPort Utility – AirPort Utility is no longer included when you install macOS Golden Gate. If you had the app before updating, you can still use it, but Apple makes no guarantee that it still works. AirPort Utility lets users manage AirPort base stations like the AirPort Extreme and AirPort Express.
macOS 28, which is expected in fall 2027, will largely drop support for Rosetta 2. Most apps that rely on Rosetta will not open on Macs running macOS 28, though Apple is making an exception for some legacy games that are unmaintained.
In macOS Golden Gate, you’ll see a warning when using any app that relies on Rosetta, so you’re aware that the app won’t continue to work in the future without a developer update. You can also see which apps are affected by going to Settings > General > About > Intel-Based Apps and then clicking on Details.
This article, "What's Gone in macOS Golden Gate and What's Next in macOS 28" first appeared on MacRumors.com
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