Before you click Update, it is worth thirty seconds to check whether your Mac can run macOS 27 Golden Gate at all. Apple published the compatibility list on September 14, 2026, and the short version is this: every Mac on the list has Apple silicon (M1 or newer, or the new MacBook Neo with an A18 Pro chip). No Intel Mac appears on it.
How to check which Mac you have
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and choose About This Mac. The window shows the model name, the year and the chip. Match those against the lists below. If you are unsure which model is which, Apple has “identify your Mac” pages linked from its compatibility article.
Macs that can run macOS 27 Golden Gate
This is Apple’s list, grouped by product line.
MacBook Pro
- MacBook Pro (16-inch, M5 Pro or M5 Max)
- MacBook Pro (14-inch, M5 Pro or M5 Max)
- MacBook Pro (14-inch, M5)
- MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2024)
- MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2024)
- MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2023)
- MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2023)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, M2, 2022)
- MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2021)
- MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2021)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, M1, 2020)
MacBook Air
- MacBook Air (15-inch, M5)
- MacBook Air (13-inch, M5)
- MacBook Air (15-inch, M4, 2025)
- MacBook Air (13-inch, M4, 2025)
- MacBook Air (15-inch, M3, 2024)
- MacBook Air (13-inch, M3, 2024)
- MacBook Air (15-inch, M2, 2023)
- MacBook Air (M2, 2022)
- MacBook Air (M1, 2020)
MacBook Neo
- MacBook Neo (13-inch, A18 Pro)
iMac
- iMac (24-inch, 2024, Four ports)
- iMac (24-inch, 2024, Two ports)
- iMac (24-inch, 2023, Four ports)
- iMac (24-inch, 2023, Two ports)
- iMac (24-inch, M1, 2021)
Mac mini
- Mac mini (M6 or M5 Pro)
- Mac mini (2024)
- Mac mini (2023)
- Mac mini (M1, 2020)
Mac Studio
- Mac Studio (M5 Max or M5 Ultra)
- Mac Studio (2025)
- Mac Studio (2023)
- Mac Studio (2022)
Mac Pro
- Mac Pro (2023)
My Mac is not on the list. Now what?
Apple says that if your Mac is not compatible, you might be able to install an earlier version of macOS instead. In practice that means staying on the macOS version you already have, as long as Apple keeps releasing updates for it. It is not an emergency: your Mac does not stop working because a newer macOS exists.
If you are on the list and the update will not show up or fails, see our guide on what to do when you cannot update to macOS 27.
Before you upgrade
- Back up first. Apple recommends a backup before any macOS upgrade. Our guide to backing up your Mac with Time Machine takes about ten minutes to set up.
- Find the update. Open System Settings, click General, then Software Update. Apple says Software Update only offers updates that are compatible with your Mac.
- Leave some free space and plug in power if you are on a laptop. This is common sense rather than an Apple rule, but a laptop dying mid-install is a bad afternoon.
Frequently asked questions
Does macOS 27 run on Intel Macs?
Not according to Apple’s list. Every model on it uses Apple silicon.
Is the MacBook Neo supported?
Yes. Apple lists the MacBook Neo (13-inch, A18 Pro).
Will my old MacBook Air still get updates?
The oldest MacBook Air on Apple’s macOS 27 list is the M1 model from 2020. For anything older, check Apple’s page for the latest macOS version it supports.
Sources
- macOS 27 Golden Gate is compatible with these computers (Apple Support)
- How to upgrade to macOS 27 Golden Gate (Apple Support)
Last checked November 3, 2026. Apple changes its instructions between updates, so if a menu looks different on your Mac, check the linked Apple page.
