Apple Pushing 32 Bit App Warning Live For Macos 10 13 4 As 64 Bit Transition Continues

After previously testing in beta, Apple is pushing a new 32-bit app warning live for users on macOS 10.13.4 starting at midnight local time. The alert will appear once per app when a user launches 32-bit software for the first when running the current macOS version.

The dialogue box can be dismissed with the ‘OK’ button or users can click ‘Learn More…’ to access a newly published explainer document on 32-bit app compatibility with macOS High Sierra.

Apple warned developers back in June that a future update to macOS after the current High Sierra update would not run 32-bit apps ‘without compromise’, and 64-bit has been required for both app submissions and app updates to the Mac App Store since January 1.

With the new alert dialogue in macOS 10.13.4 going live, Apple is now informing customers about the upcoming requirement for 64-bit apps sometime in the future as well.

macOS High Sierra doesn’t actually change anything about the way 32-bit apps run on the Mac, but Apple is encouraging users of 32-bit apps to seek out 64-bit versions or contact developers before the transition is completed.

Apple explains the benefit of running 64-bit apps in its new support document:

In addition to receiving the alert once when a 32-bit app is launched, Apple also lets users check for 64-bit compatibility through the system report feature.

While Apple continues the transition from 32-bit to 64-bit only on the Mac, Apple has already completed the transition on iOS. Apple included a similar alert dialogue on 32-bit iOS apps with iOS 10.3 before requiring 64-bit support to launch on iOS 11 last year.

Apple hasn’t been quite that aggressive with the Mac yet, but the warning that the next major macOS version (presumably macOS 10.14) will not run 32-bit apps ‘without compromise’ (like some sort of compatibility mode with limitations) still stands.

Like with iOS, the goal is likely to ultimately not support older 32-bit apps on macOS at all. Upgrading to new versions of affected apps or looking for alternative solutions sooner than later is recommended.