Ok, so there’s a small handful old 32 bit Mac apps that I use rarely; but I do use them and would like them. Is there in any way a way to run 32 bit Mac apps on M1? I don’t care if they don’t run fast, just that they actually work. Any way at all.
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32 bit Mac apps in any way possible on M1 Mac
- Thread starter Mac Fly (film)
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Not right now.
And almost certainly not in an easy "run it by double clicking it in Finder" way like running 64-bit Intel apps.
Eventually, when there is virtualization software that can run Intel operating systems, it should be possible to load an older version of macOS (that can still run 32-bit apps) in that VM software, and run the apps in there. For example, I run Parallels on my Big Sur Intel Mac, and run Mojave inside Parallels - it's a window that is running a separate complete copy of the macOS - just one that is old enough to run 32-bit apps. I also have another VM running Snow Leopard, since that's the last OS that can run PowerPC apps.
And almost certainly not in an easy "run it by double clicking it in Finder" way like running 64-bit Intel apps.
Eventually, when there is virtualization software that can run Intel operating systems, it should be possible to load an older version of macOS (that can still run 32-bit apps) in that VM software, and run the apps in there. For example, I run Parallels on my Big Sur Intel Mac, and run Mojave inside Parallels - it's a window that is running a separate complete copy of the macOS - just one that is old enough to run 32-bit apps. I also have another VM running Snow Leopard, since that's the last OS that can run PowerPC apps.
If you already have a mac that runs the software just keep that around for that purpose. That will be your cheapest and only guaranteed way of running that software. Otherwise you are better off looking for alternatives to those apps and moving on.
I don’t think companies like vmware or parallels will offer solutions. They do virtualization and what you’d need is an x86 emulator like the old VirtualPC and then be able to run macos on it. Maybe an opensource project might come along but that could be years if ever.
When it comes to vmware, I have to pay $80 to upgrade from version 11->12 as 11 doesn’t work in Big Sur even though I’m still on an Intel mac. For comparisons sake, you can probably get an old mac on ebay for that price if necessary.
I don’t think companies like vmware or parallels will offer solutions. They do virtualization and what you’d need is an x86 emulator like the old VirtualPC and then be able to run macos on it. Maybe an opensource project might come along but that could be years if ever.
When it comes to vmware, I have to pay $80 to upgrade from version 11->12 as 11 doesn’t work in Big Sur even though I’m still on an Intel mac. For comparisons sake, you can probably get an old mac on ebay for that price if necessary.
True. Also, I was hoping Apple or someone would allow/ provide for the ability to run the old 32 bit iOS Apps which got busted at some point in the iOS transition from 10-11-12. Especially since we cant run them on new phones anymore, esp to get and maybe port old functionality.
Kinda how you run 32 bit in a VM and same for 32 16 bit / DOS/ Commandline under Windows using various mechanisms.