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How to Check If Your Mac Is Apple Silicon or Intel

Check whether your Mac uses Apple Silicon or Intel, inspect an installed app's architecture, and choose the right Mac download.

Quick answer

Open Apple menu > About This Mac. If the hardware line says Chip, your Mac is Apple Silicon. If it says Processor and includes Intel, your Mac is Intel. To inspect an installed app, use Finder > Get Info and read Kind: Application (Intel), Application (Universal), or Application (Apple silicon).

Last updated 2026-09-03

Step-by-step: check your Mac chip

  1. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner.
  2. Select About This Mac.
  3. Look under the macOS version for Chip or Processor.
  4. Write down the exact model and chip if you are checking an operating-system upgrade or a demanding app.

Check an installed app's architecture

To inspect an app you already have, select it in Finder, choose File > Get Info, and read the value after Kind:

  • Application (Intel): the app is built for Intel Macs. On an Apple silicon Mac it relies on Rosetta while that compatibility layer is available.
  • Application (Universal): the app contains both Intel and Apple silicon support and does not need Rosetta for normal use.
  • Application (Apple silicon): the app is built only for Apple silicon and will not run on an Intel Mac.

Check important plug-ins, extensions, and add-ons separately. A Universal app can still depend on an Intel-only component.

What changes with macOS 26.4, 27, and 28

Apple's current transition guidance says macOS 26.4 or later may notify users when launching apps that rely on Rosetta. Apple says macOS 27 is the final release to support Rosetta for general Intel-only apps, so those apps will not run on Apple silicon after the macOS 27 update. Starting with macOS 28, Rosetta functionality remains only for certain older, unmaintained games that rely on Intel-based frameworks.

This transition applies to Intel-only apps running on Apple silicon. It does not make an Apple silicon-only build work on an Intel Mac, and it does not replace the publisher's minimum macOS or plug-in requirements.

Use What-Version to confirm the download

The What-Version homepage can detect your Mac architecture from browser system data when available. Browser detection is useful for a quick route, but About This Mac is the safer check before installing drivers, developer tools, or large apps. Use the installed app's Kind value when you are deciding whether an existing app will survive an operating-system upgrade.

Common download labels

For Apple Silicon, look for Apple Silicon, ARM64, arm64, aarch64, or Mac M-series. For Intel, look for Intel, x86_64, x64, or 64-bit Intel. A Universal or universal2 build is intended to support both Mac processor families.

Before upgrading to macOS 27

  1. Check the Mac model against Apple's current macOS compatibility list.
  2. Use Finder's Get Info on apps, plug-ins, and extensions that matter to your work.
  3. Look for a current Apple silicon or Universal build from the publisher.
  4. Confirm the publisher's minimum macOS and licensing requirements.
  5. Keep an Intel-only app only when you have a supported replacement or a documented transition plan.

Official sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Apple Silicon the same as M1, M2, M3, and M4?

Yes. Apple Silicon is Apple's ARM-based Mac processor family, including M1, M2, M3, M4, and later Apple chip generations.

Should I download Apple Silicon or Intel for my Mac?

Choose Apple Silicon if About This Mac shows an Apple M-series chip. Choose Intel if it shows an Intel processor. If a Universal Mac download is available, it works on both, subject to the publisher's macOS requirements.

How do I identify an installed app's architecture?

In Finder, select the app, choose File > Get Info, and read Kind. Application (Intel) uses the Rosetta path on Apple silicon, Application (Universal) supports both architectures, and Application (Apple silicon) is native to M-series Macs.

Will Intel-only apps continue to run on Apple silicon?

Apple says macOS 27 is the final release to support Rosetta for general Intel-only apps. macOS 26.4 or later may show a warning, and starting with macOS 28 only certain older, unmaintained games retain Rosetta functionality.

Does macOS 27 run on Intel Macs?

No. Apple's current macOS 27 compatibility list contains Apple silicon Macs only. An Intel Mac needs an earlier compatible macOS release and cannot use an Apple silicon-only app build.

Evidence & limits

Sources and scope

This guide answers

Is my Mac or app Apple silicon, Intel, or Universal, and which download should I choose?

What this cannot prove

This identifies the Mac or app architecture. It cannot prove a specific release's minimum macOS, plug-in support, licensing, or whether a publisher still offers an Intel build. Check the publisher's current requirements before installing or upgrading.

Apple's Mac architecture and Rosetta guidance checked 2026-09-03. About This Mac identifies the Mac chip, while Finder's Get Info identifies an installed app as Intel, Universal, or Apple silicon. App support and minimum macOS remain publisher-specific.

Editorial review by What-Version Editorial · reviewed · official sources checked

Official and methodology sources

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