Starting today, April 12, macOS users will receive notifications carrying info that 32-bit apps will not be supported in the operating system’s future version. The notification will be seen in the first instance of opening an app that’s only compatible with 32-bit in macOS High Sierra 10.13.4.
Only a day or two ago, similar notifications were seen by watchOS users, and it seems Apple is on a roll calling developers to improve the compatibility of apps. Apple’s macOS 10.13.4 beta release notes in January read that these notifications will be reaching the users, and the same has happened finally, after about 4 months of the release.
Now, the tech brand hasn’t yet disclosed a deadline for ending the support. This means that 32-bit apps will normally run for the time being. However, High Sierra is indeed the last update to support 32-bit.
The next update of macOS seems to come up in September or October. In June, we’ll get more details at Apple’s WWDC (Worldwide Developers Conference).
Apple’s intended transition from 32-bit to 64-bit is natural as 64-bit apps are more efficient in most cases. Like, the 64-bit architecture enables taking advantage of more memory than its 32-bit counterpart. At the same time, it’ll be easier for Apple to maintain the apps.
The tech giant pulled off a similar transition for iOS last year. It informed developers and then users in that case as well. Furthermore, it stopped accepting 32-bit apps to the App Store. In the case of macOS, the company has already stopped accepting similar apps in Mac App Store.
In the WWDC from last year, Apple talked about the transition to prepare developers. This was the statement it released for the purpose: “The last macOS release to support 32-bit apps without compromise is macOS High Sierra. Make sure future releases of your app are 64-bit compatible by using new diagnostic tools in Xcode 9.3 beta and testing on macOS 10.13.4 beta. This version of Xcode also builds 64-bit apps by default.”
Keep following us to get the next update from Apple on this matter.
