If macOS no longer supports 32-bit programs, you can try the following methods: 1. Use a virtual machine (such as Parallels Desktop or VMware Fusion to install the old version of macOS to run 32-bit programs. You need to prepare a Mac, virtual machine software and legacy system image with good performance; 2. Find a 64-bit updated version of the software or use alternative software, such as using GIMP or Affinity Photo to replace the old version of Photoshop; 3. Install Windows through Boot Camp on Intel Mac to run 32-bit applications, but the operation is complicated and the driver may be incompatible; 4. If the software is no longer maintained, you can only keep the old Mac running. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, and appropriate solutions should be selected based on technical capabilities, equipment type and usage needs.
Apple's macOS has gradually moved to a 64-bit architecture in recent years. Since a certain version, the system no longer supports 32-bit applications natively. If you still have some old software, old tools or classic games that can only run in 32-bit environments, you will find that they cannot be opened on the latest macOS at all. What should I do? In fact, there are still several ways to try.
1. Run legacy macOS using a virtual machine
This is one of the most commonly used and reliable methods at present. Through a virtual machine (such as Parallels Desktop or VMware Fusion), you can install an older version of macOS (such as High Sierra or earlier) in the current macOS system, and then run a 32-bit program in this "virtual computer".
- You need to prepare :
- A Mac with good performance (more than 8GB memory)
- Virtual machine software (Parallels is more suitable for beginners)
- A compatible old macOS image file
- Operation suggestions :
- Remember to select "Customer" as macOS during installation and allocate enough hard disk space and memory
- After the installation is completed, just copy the old program you want to run in.
Note: Although this method is effective, it requires a certain operating basis and occupies a lot of system resources.
2. Find alternative software or newer versions
The reason why some old programs are still using 32 bits is because they have not been updated. You can first go to the official website or developer page to see if there is a 64-bit version launched. If it has not been updated, you can also find out if there are any modern alternatives with similar functions.
For example:
In the past, some people used the 32-bit old version of Adobe Photoshop CS5, but now they have basically been upgraded to the 64-bit version of Creative Cloud. If you don't have a budget to buy new software, you can also try open source or low-priced alternatives such as GIMP and Affinity Photo.
3. Install Windows using Boot Camp (Intel Mac only)
If your Mac is an Intel chip instead of Apple Silicon (M1/M2 series), you can also consider installing Windows with Boot Camp and then running these 32-bit applications under Windows. However, this method has several limitations:
- Only available for Intel Mac
- Requires additional partition to install Windows, which is a bit complicated
- Some drivers may be imperfect, especially new Macs
So if you don’t have a special need, this method is generally not recommended.
4. Wait for the developer to update or give up use
Sometimes reality is so cruel: some niche software developers have stopped maintaining it, and no one has taken over it. In this case, there is really no good way to continue to keep an old Mac to run these programs.
Basically these are the methods. Each has its pros and cons, and which one is chosen depends on your technical capabilities, device type and dependence on old programs. If you don't care about the hassle, virtual machines are the most flexible choice; if you only use them once a while, it may be easier to find an alternative software.
The above is the detailed content of How to run older 32-bit apps on modern macOS?. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!

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