Apple M1 - Information
In Fall 2020, Apple released a new Apple Chip called M1 (previous Apple hardware ran an Intel chip).
Finding the chip: Apple M1 chip or Intel chip?
1. At the top left, open the Apple menu.
2. Select About This Mac.
3. In the “Overview” tab, look for “Processor” or “Chip”.
4. Check if it says “Intel” or “Apple”.
- More info about M1 Chip from Apple: apple.com/mac/m1/
If you need to install Rosetta on your Mac:
Rosetta 2 enables a Mac with Apple silicon to use apps built for a Mac with an Intel processor.
If you have a Mac with Apple silicon, you might be asked to install Rosetta in order to open an app.
Text of popup will read: "Alert: To open app, you need to install Rosetta. Do you want to install it now?"
Click Install, then enter your local computer username and password to allow installation to proceed.
Rosetta will then be available for any of your apps that need it with no further action required from the user.
About Rosetta
Rosetta 2 works in the background whenever you use an app built only for Mac computers with an Intel processor. It automatically translates the app for use with Apple silicon.
In most cases, you won't notice any difference in the performance of an app that needs Rosetta. But you should contact the app developer/check their website to see if they have a version that can natively use Apple silicon.
Which of your apps need Rosetta?
You can use Get Info to identify apps that need Rosetta or can use Rosetta:
1. Select the app in the Finder.
2. From the File menu in the menu bar, choose Get Info.
3. View the information labeled Kind:
Application (Intel) means the app supports only Intel processors and needs Rosetta to work on any Mac with Apple silicon.
Application (Universal) means the app supports both Apple silicon and Intel processors, and uses Apple silicon by default.
The Info window for universal apps includes the setting “Open using Rosetta.” It enables email apps, web browsers, and other apps to use add-ons that haven't been updated to support Apple silicon. If an app doesn't recognize a plug-in, extension, or other add-on, quit the app, select this setting, and try again.
- More info about Rosetta 2: https://developer.apple.com/documentation/apple_silicon/about_the_rosett...
Known Software Incompatabiliites with M1 Chip
- Adobe: While most applications run successfully with Rosetta installed, Adobe does list a few remaining Known Issues for Apps that run using Rosetta.