macOS 27 Golden Gate system requirements: will it run on your Apple Mac?

The latest Mac software update is coming later in the year – macOS 27. Don’t worry, there’s still a California-based moniker alongside the number: Golden Gate. Yes, the bridge of course.

After months of beta versions, the biggest free Mac update in years is now rolling out to the public. A whole bunch of older Mac desktops and MacBooks will also get the free software update, stretching back a good few years. But will your current Mac laptop or desktop get the new update? Here’s our guide to the macOS 27 system requirements.

Note that Apple’s software versions are now named after the year ahead – iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, and so on.

Will my Mac get macOS 27?

The time has come for Apple to ditch new software support for any remaining Intel Macs. Last year’s macOS 26 was the last update to support Intel. Given Apple started switching to its own silicon chips in late 2020, this is still half a decade of software updates, though it’s fair to say that some early 2020 Intel Macs are losing support a little earlier than they otherwise would. And it’s no surprise therefore that the macOS 27 update is compatible with every Apple Silicon Mac ever launched. Expect M1 compatibility to be dropped over the next couple of years.

Here’s a full list of the Macs compatible with macOS 27 Golden Gate:

• MacBook Neo
• MacBook Air with Apple Silicon (2020 M1 or later)
• MacBook Pro with Apple Silicon (2020 M1 or later)
• Mac mini with Apple Silicon (2020 M1 or later)
• iMac with Apple Silicon (2021 M1 or later)
• Mac Studio (2022 and later)
• Mac Pro with Apple Silicon (2023 or later)

Related: Got an Intel-based Mac? Here’s why you’ll want to replace it over the next couple of years

Dan Grabham Editor-in-Chief

About

Dan is Editor-in-chief of Stuff, working across the magazine and the Stuff.tv website.  Our Editor-in-Chief is a regular at tech shows such as CES in Las Vegas, IFA in Berlin and Mobile World Congress in Barcelona as well as at other launches and events. He has been a CES Innovation Awards judge. Dan is completely platform agnostic and very at home using and writing about Windows, macOS, Android and iOS/iPadOS plus lots and lots of gadgets including audio and smart home gear, laptops and smartphones. He's also been interviewed and quoted in a wide variety of places including The Sun, BBC World Service, BBC News Online, BBC Radio 5Live, BBC Radio 4, Sky News Radio and BBC Local Radio.

Areas of expertise

Computing, mobile, audio, smart home