When macOS Mojave was announced, Apple warned that it would be the last version of macOS that would support older 32-bit apps. Apple has been phasing out 32-bit apps for the last 10 years and is now ready to take the final step, even if Mac users may not be ready to lose access to older apps.

• Mac Os App Store
• Apps Not Optimized For Mac Os 1

With the release of macOS Catalina, 32-bit app support is no longer available, which means many of your older apps will no longer work if they haven't been updated to 64-bit.

32-bit vs. 64-bit

32-bit apps date back to a time when there were 32-bit processors and 32-bit operating systems, but are now outdated. Apple has long since transitioned to 64-bit processors and macOS has been 64-bit since the launch of Snow Leopard in 2009.

Nov 15, 2019 When you attempt to open a 32-bit app, you will see an alert that the app needs to be updated to work with this version of macOS, or that the app is not optimized for your Mac and needs to be updated. MacOS Catalina. MacOS Mojave and macOS High Sierra. Sep 22, 2018 Unless the app is not optimized, then it is true. The prob is the time it takes the dev to update the app is unknown. Some apps weren't even updated for the X yet or as with google authenticator just updated after the XS was already announced.

Compared to 32-bit apps, 64-bit apps can take advantage of more memory and offer faster system performance. Apple technologies like Metal only work with 64-bit apps, and for Apple to ensure that Mac apps include all of the latest advancements and optimizations, support for 32-bit needs to end. In the simplest terms, 32-bit apps are inefficient.

32-bit apps can run on a 64-bit system as they've been doing for years, but Apple wants to get rid of outdated apps to make sure everything that runs on the Mac is properly optimized and isn't an unnecessary drain on system resources.

Previous Warnings

Apple started warning Mac users about plans to end support for 32-bit apps back with macOS High Sierra. In High Sierra, users started getting warnings about a 32-bit app's future incompatibility with macOS.

A similar message was available in macOS Mojave, and if you opened up a 32-bit app while running Mojave, you saw an alert letting you know a specific app wouldn't work with future versions of macOS unless it was updated.

Alerts re-appeared every 30 days when launching an app, with Apple aiming to make sure customers would not be caught unaware when a 32-bit app stopped working in the future, so you should already know if one of your frequently used apps hasn't been upgraded to 64-bit.

Upon updating to ‌macOS Catalina‌, you'll be shown a list of 32-bit apps that no longer work on your system.

How to Check if an App is 32-Bit or 64-Bit in macOS Mojave

To determine whether an app is 64-bit or 32-bit and to see if there are 32-bit apps installed on your machine before upgrading to ‌macOS Catalina‌, follow these steps:

1. Click the Apple symbol () in the menu bar on your Mac's desktop.
2. Click on About This Mac.
3. Choose 'System Report' at the bottom of the window.
4. Scroll down to the Software list on the sidebar.
5. Select Legacy Software.'

Anything in the list of Legacy Software applications is a 32-bit app and will not work when upgrading to ‌macOS Catalina‌.

If Legacy Software isn't an option in the sidebar, select the Applications option and then check the list of apps at the right. The column that's labeled 64-bit will show a 'No' listing for apps that are 32-bit.

How to Prepare to Update to ‌macOS Catalina‌

The first step is to make sure there aren't already available updates for apps that you have on your system, which you can generally do by updating through the Mac App Store for ‌Mac App Store‌ apps.

Apps outside of the ‌Mac App Store‌ use other update methods that can vary by app, but for many, you can click on the app's name in the menu bar and choose the 'Check for Updates' option. Some other apps have more hidden update methods, so if you do have a 32-bit app, make sure to Google how to update it to be sure there's not already new software available.

After ensuring you've updated everything you're able to update, you can contact developers and ask them to update their apps, but if that doesn't pan out, the only other solution is to start the search for an alternative app if you're committed to upgrading to ‌macOS Catalina‌ or have already done so.

32-Bit App Warnings When Installing Catalina

When upgrading to ‌macOS Catalina‌, the installer will show a list of recently used apps that are 32-bit so you know what to expect before installing.

After viewing this list, you can choose to either cancel or continue with the installation.

‌macOS Catalina‌ also shows a stop symbol over the icon of 32-bit apps in the Finder, so you know that the app isn't going to open.

Aperture

With the release of ‌macOS Catalina‌, Aperture is going to stop working. Apple warned Aperture users in April 2019 that the software won't run in future versions of macOS, starting with ‌macOS Catalina‌.

Mac Os App Store

If you're an Aperture user, you'll have to transition to alternate photo editing and management software, such as Adobe's Lightroom. Aperture is not 32-bit, but Apple is phasing it out all the same.

Affected Media Formats

Certain media files that use older formats and codecs are also not compatible with macOS after macOS Mojave due to the 64-bit transition, and you will need to convert some iMovie and Final Cut Pro X libraries. Incompatible media files were created using codecs that rely on QuickTime 7, and while macOS Mojave has QuickTime 7 frameworks, future versions of macOS will not.

Apple has a full list of media formats that are going to be affected by the transition available in a support document.

Continuing to Use 32-Bit Apps

In macOS Mojave and earlier versions of macOS like High Sierra, you can continue to use your 32-bit apps. If you have a 32-bit app that you absolutely depend on, you're going to want to think twice before upgrading to ‌macOS Catalina‌.

Guide Feedback

Have questions about the end of support for 32-bit apps or want to offer feedback on this guide? Send us an email here.

Tomorrow at midnight PT, Apple will begin sending an alert message when you open a 32-bit app in MacOS 10.13.4, saying 'App Is Not Optimized for Your Mac': This app needs to be updated by developer to improve compatibility. It's a one-time (per app) alert, designed to help MacOS make the full transition to 64-bit. On Apple's Developer site has posted an official reminder that starting January 1st, 2018 32-bit Mac apps will no longer be accepted.

Why Transition to 64-bit Technology Matters and How it Affects 32-bit Apps

While developers optimize their apps for 64-bit compatibility, Apple is notifying customers when they are using an app based on 32-bit technology. This is done via a one-time 'App is not optimized for your Mac' alert that appears when you launch a 32-bit app. Below you will find more information about the alert and what the 64-bit transition means for you.

• Q: Why am I seeing this 'App is not optimized for your Mac' alert? A: Starting with macOS High Sierra 10.13.4, apps that have not been updated to use 64-bit processes produce a one-time alert when opened. This gives users advance notice that they are running 32-bit software, which will not be compatible with macOS in the future.
• Q: Can I keep using my 32-bit apps? A: Yes, you may continue to use 32-bit apps with your Mac today. Using 32-bit software has no adverse effects on your data or your computer.
• Q: How do I check if an app is 32-bit or 64-bit? A: On Apple menu > Choose About This Mac > Click the System Report button > Software > Applications. When you select an individual application, you will see a field titled '64-bit (Intel)'.

'App is not optimized for your Mac' Alert

Ars Technica. From the original on November 28, 2016. Retrieved January 2, 2017. Cunningham, Andrew; Hutchinson, Lee (September 29, 2015). Retrieved January 7, 2017.

Read Also: The Best Way To Transfer Music from iPhone to Mac >

What To Do With 'App is not optimized for your Mac' Alert

By purging outdated 32-bit apps from macOS, Apple hopes that this alert will help users and developers to raise a concern about the modern design of Mac apps. According to Apple: 'To ensure that the apps you purchase are as advanced as the Mac you run them on, all future Mac software will eventually be required to be 64-bit.'

It's similar to the transition on the cleanup 32-bit apps with iOS 11. Of course, making the shift is a bit messier on the desktop. For one thing, macOS has been around a lot longer than iOS. For another, while Apple does have a MacOS App Store, plenty of desktop apps are still downloaded from other channels.

You can skip this 'App is not optimized for your Mac' alert by clicking the System Report button. For those 32-bit apps that haven't updated yet, Apple recommends bugging the developers directly.

More macOS/Apple Related Tips

Apps Not Optimized For Mac Os 1

Tags: iPhone NewsiTunes AlternativeiPhone Data RecoveryiPhone Photo Recovery