Google Earth app for Intel but working under M1?

[iphonefreak450]

I’m quite confused as I was about to download the install file for Google Earth, I noticed it had the Intel from the DMG file name just like the format seen below.

"GoogleEarthProMac-Intel.dmg"

So I figured, I might as well test this to see if I get any error messages that it’s not working or not compatible with M1 based MacOS.

Guess what, it installed and opens up without a glitch.

So how come the DMG file indicates that it’s for Intel but in the meantime GE seems to run fine even though I’m on M1?

Install & uninstall Google Earth Pro - Google Earth Help

Important: To use Google Earth Pro and its features, you must have the following versions of the app: Version 7.1.8 or newer is required to use Google Earth Pro Version 7.3.3 or newer is re

support.google.com

 

[chrfr]

So how come the DMG file indicates that it’s for Intel but in the meantime GE seems to run fine even though I’m on M1?

It’s an Intel app that runs using Rosetta on Apple Silicon Macs. There are many apps that work the same way.

 

[iphonefreak450]

So I should not have any issues running it on my MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2021)?

 

[chrfr]

So I should not have any issues running it on my MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2021)?

No.

 

[iphonefreak450]

If that’s the case, then the DMG file name is misleading if it also runs on M1 MacBooks. Google should change that.

 

[vanc]

Google should change that.

They perhaps shouldn't. The programs inside the DMG file are compiled for Intel based Mac. Apple added a translation layer (Rosetta 2) in macOS on Apple Silcon Mac to run these programs. As an end user, you benefit from the compatibility layer that all (most) your existing apps compiled for Intel Mac still run. But these apps are still Intel based, not ARM based.

 

[iphonefreak450]

As from the explanation, I’m still a bit confused and too technical to me, but as long as it works, then all is good.

Thank you.

 

[Big Bad D]

The DMG file is not misleading, Google has developed it for Intel processor Mac. There is no optimized Apple Silicon or Universal (Intel and Apple Silicon) specific version. But that's not saying that the Intel app will not run on Apple Silicon Macs. Rosetta will, in most cases, make the conversion to allow the app to run. There are likely to be many apps on your M1 mac that are Intel versions running this way.