Apple tells Mac App Store developers they can now drop Intel support

According to a report from 9to5Mac, Apple has begun notifying developers that they are now permitted to drop support for Intel-based Macs for applications distributed through the Mac App Store. This change applies specifically to universal macOS applications that require macOS 13 or later to function.

This update marks another milestone in Apple's multi-year transition from Intel processors to its own custom-designed silicon. Since the introduction of the M1 chip in 2020, Apple has been steadily encouraging developers to optimize their software for the ARM-based architecture. By allowing developers to sunset support for older Intel-based machines, Apple is signaling a shift toward a future where macOS software is primarily built for Apple Silicon.

For users, this move may eventually lead to smaller app sizes and better performance on modern Macs, as developers will no longer need to include legacy code to maintain compatibility with older hardware. However, it also suggests that the window for official support for Intel-based Macs is narrowing. Developers are not required to drop Intel support immediately, but the new policy gives them the option to focus their resources exclusively on modern hardware configurations.