With macOS Golden Gate, Apple has phased out several legacy features and services, eliminating support for older devices and accessories. More cuts are coming in macOS 28 as Apple continues to eliminate lingering Intel features.
Here’s everything that was dropped.
- Support for Intel Macs – macOS Golden Gate is the first version of macOS that works only on Apple Silicon Macs. Intel Macs can’t run it and are limited to macOS Tahoe. Apple still plans to offer security updates until fall 2028.
- Training camp assistant – Since macOS Golden Gate does not work on Intel Macs, it does not support Boot Camp. Apple Silicon Macs require virtualization software like Parallels or VMware Fusion to run Windows.
- Rosette 2 (temporarily) – Updating to macOS Golden Gate removes Rosetta, but if you installed an app that requires it, you can reinstall it. macOS Golden Gate is the latest version of macOS that will have full Rosetta support.
- Apple storage protocol – Apple deprecated AFP in macOS Sequoia 15.5 and there is no AFP client in macOS Golden Gate.
- Time capsule backups – Without AFP support, 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 Utilities – AirPort Utility is no longer included when you install macOS Golden Gate. If you had the app before the update, you can still use it, but Apple doesn’t guarantee that it still works. AirPort Utility allows users to manage AirPort base stations such as AirPort Extreme and AirPort Express.
macOS 28, due in fall 2027, will largely discontinue support for Rosetta 2. Most apps that rely on Rosetta won’t open on Macs running macOS 28, although Apple is making an exception for some legacy games that aren’t maintained.
In macOS Golden Gate, you will see a warning when using any app that relies on Rosetta, so you are aware that the app will not 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 Details.
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