Catalina won't support 32-bit apps

macos users, catalina won't support 32-bit apps anymore, and in general might break your workflows don't install unless you really understand what it means for you

Posted on Oct 8, 2019 6:25 AM

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Posted on Oct 8, 2019 6:28 AM

All Macs have been 64-bit for the past decade. All default Mac apps are already 64-bit. Only Catalina requires 64-bit apps. If you don’t upgrade to Catalina you don’t need to worry about it, your apps will continue to work as expected. To upgrade 32-bit apps to 64-bit, check with the developer for upgrades.

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Oct 8, 2019 6:28 AM in response to Jimmb53

All Macs have been 64-bit for the past decade. All default Mac apps are already 64-bit. Only Catalina requires 64-bit apps. If you don’t upgrade to Catalina you don’t need to worry about it, your apps will continue to work as expected. To upgrade 32-bit apps to 64-bit, check with the developer for upgrades.

Oct 8, 2019 7:21 AM in response to Jimmb53

Open the System Preferences and click on Software Update. Click the Advanced button. I have mine like this:



For your purposes, also turn the top check box off so the OS stops begging you to install Catalina. Be aware you will get no notices at all. Not even for things like the larger security updates that require a user to download to install.


Either that, or simply ignore the notices.

Oct 8, 2019 7:16 AM in response to macjack

That is very true and I do not disagree with your comment. So please tell me how I can turn OFF the update notification that BY DEFAULT installs the MacOS that will make the 32 bit apps I rely on for my job no longer function! By that I mean not turning OFF all automatic updates.


There is no doubt that in time the world will migrate to 64-bit. But, the majority of embedded targets are still 32-bit ONLY, and there are tools created by those manufacturers that will only run in 32 bit... So, by NECESSITY I must use those tools for my job.... Catalina has put a "crimp" in our development tools and productivity...


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Catalina won't support 32-bit apps

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