Beyond Rosetta 2 for Intel apps, 'Apple Silicon' Macs will run iPhone, iPad apps natively

Credit: Apple

Apple isn't just allowing for Intel apps to run after a modification at install, but additionally, Apple's shift to its own proprietary silicon will allow Macs to run iOS and iPadOS apps natively.

Because the first of Apple's ARM Mac devices will run Apple Silicon chips, apps that were developed for iPhone or iPad chips will run natively on them — without the need for developers to recompile code.

During Apple's WWDC 2020 keynote, Apple VP Andreas Wendker showed off iOS apps like Monument Valley, Fender Play and Calm running smoothly on a development Mac running macOS Big Sur. Those apps will be available straight from the Mac App Store.

The native iPhone and iPad apps on Mac are just part of the wide ecosystem of software that ARM Macs will be able to run, Apple said.

Through Rosetta 2, ARM Macs will be able to run programs written for Intel-based Macs. New virtualization software will allow those Macs to run other operating systems like Linux.

The Cupertino tech giant will release the first Mac with custom chips by the end of 2020, while it expects the overall transition to ARM will complete in about two years.

Follow AppleInsider on Google News

11 Comments

macky the macky

said about 3 years ago

What does Apple mean when they say, “ expects the overall transition to ARM will complete in about two years.”

Are they meaning that all apps will be native, or that they will have it figured out in two years?

hattig

said about 3 years ago

Under two years for all Mac hardware to be based on ARM.

Two years includes breathing space in case of issues. Apple likes to beat their deadlines.

Expect most of the hardware line on "Apple Silicon" by the end of next year. Maybe a Mac Pro or something will remain on Intel for a few more months.

grayfox691

said about 3 years ago

What I find most exciting is a two year transition road map means architectures are pretty much sorted for all the Macs in the line up. Given we can't get any solid ideas on what the processors will look like Im genuinely excited to see what kind of monsters apple will be building for their high end iMacs and Mac Pros. I can only assume Apple will want to come out swinging so I'll be quite excited to see what a tare down of these chips will look like.

SpamSandwich

said about 3 years ago

If I could run all of my iPhone and iPad apps on a new iMac or MacBook Pro, I think I might be convinced to finally get a new computer.

mjtomlin

said about 3 years ago

Because the first of Apple's ARM Mac devices will run A-series chips

We don’t know that. What we know is that “Apple Silicon“ will be compatible with A-Series SoCs. Apple even mentioned that they developed a “Mac”-series of SoCs.