Mac App Store and Intel Apps

TidBITS Talk
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@Nello’s recent thread regarding the Intel-only EasyEnvelopes app brought to mind the question of how the App Store should handle Intel-only apps, not to mention apps from defunct developers that are not very likely to see any future updates. In the case of EasyEnvelopes, both situations hold true.

At minimum, I think the App Store should have a prominent notice on Intel-only app pages indicating that they will not be supported after macOS 27 and that users should contact the developer for more information, especially if the app is a paid app. I’m sure that between Apple’s developer relations team, marketing team, and lawyers they can come up with suitable language.

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If they haven’t already I expect someone will develop an app for checking installed apps - as happened with the demise of 32 bit apps. But yes, an App Store warning about Intel-only apps would be useful.

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Agreed, but there already are multiple ways of checking whether installed apps are Intel-only or not, including Apple’s own “System Information” app. Further, macOS Golden Gate proactively alerts you if you have any Intel-only apps.

I was speaking more to the issue of spending money on new purchases of Intel-only apps today when they will not be able to run at all on next year’s macOS 28. Sure, that would seem to be a relatively minor percentage of new purchases, but I do wonder how many Intel-only apps are in the App Store with a significant price tag. I’m sure there are a few.

There also should be some sort of requirement that abandoned apps (like EasyEnvelopes) are either flagged as unsupported or removed from the App Store.

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The Go64 app can show app architecture (e.g. Intel, Universal).

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Apple developed that a very long time ago. And includes it to this day with every Mac.
System Information > Software > Applications > sort by Kind

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By the way, I notice that Go64 received a nice set of updated features a few days ago, presumably in anticipation of macOS 28. Well thought-out!

Version 1.5

  • Added a filter to show apps that only support Apple Silicon.
  • The application list now shows the minimum system required to run each app.
  • Added an Apps menu with commands and keyboard shortcuts to manage selected applications.
  • The “last used” date of an app is updated if you launch it while using Go64.
  • Updated the splash screen to highlight multiple use cases for Go64.
  • Updated the toolbar to look better in Tahoe and Golden Gate.
  • Go64 requires macOS 10.13 High Sierra or higher.

Go64 is free.

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And, unlike some similar apps of questionable heritage that I’ve come across recently, this one is from St. Clair Software, the maker of the excellent Default Folder X that I’ve used (and loved) for many years.

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