CrossOver 27, the Windows-to-Mac gaming tool, will require Apple Silicon and 64-bit gaming bottles. The update will only run on macOS Sonoma or newer, and users relying on Intel Macs or 32-bit bottles are being pushed to upgrade or risk games no longer working
If you’re still clinging to an Intel Mac—or running older 32-bit gaming bottles—CrossOver 27 is where the line gets drawn.
With the release of CrossOver 27. the app will stop supporting Intel-based Macs and will require both 64-bit bottles and Apple Silicon. The developer is also limiting the app’s reach on the macOS side: CrossOver 27 will only work on macOS Sonoma or newer. That means anyone on an older macOS version won’t get the new build at all.
The shift is even sharper for users of 32-bit gaming bottles. CrossOver 27 includes a final warning for those still using 32-bit bottles: users are urged to move their 32-bit games to 64-bit bottles, because the old ones will no longer function.
The developer says the impact should land on a relatively small slice of users. Around 97% of CrossOver users are reportedly running macOS Sonoma or newer. so the macOS cutoff is unlikely to hit most of the install base. In the same breath. the move away from legacy support is being framed as a way to simplify development—so the team can focus on UI and optimization for one set of computers instead of maintaining Intel-compatible systems.
Part of that simplification comes with a promise of change later. Removing legacy support will allow a new user interface to debut at some point in a future release.
For anyone not ready to switch, CrossOver 26 is offered as a steady fallback. If you’re on an Intel machine or using an older version of macOS. the developer says CrossOver 26 won’t suddenly stop working. The guidance is straightforward: don’t pay for CrossOver 27 or attempt to upgrade, and things will work as-is—“hopefully.”.
But the warning still hangs there. Keeping CrossOver 26 may lead to compatibility issues if your games are updated. and newer operating systems can also cause problems with older software. So while CrossOver 26 may buy time. it doesn’t guarantee the road won’t eventually force a move to Apple Silicon.
By the time CrossOver 27 arrives, the decision won’t be theoretical. It will be technical—whether your Mac is Apple Silicon, whether your bottles are 64-bit, and whether you’re already on macOS Sonoma or newer.
CrossOver 27 CrossOver Windows games on Mac Apple Silicon macOS Sonoma 64-bit bottles 32-bit gaming bottles gaming on Mac
So they’re just killing Intel Macs now? Cool cool.
I don’t even know what a “bottle” is but this sounds like one more app forcing upgrades. My macOS is old but my games run fine… so why fix what isn’t broken.
Wait, 97% are on Sonoma or newer… so they’re basically admitting the other 3% is screwed and call it “small impact.” Also if it stops supporting Intel, does that mean the whole Mac becomes unusable or just the app? People keep saying “Apple Silicon” like it’s magic.
CrossOver 26 “won’t suddenly stop working” lol sure. Next update my games will probably break anyway because of macOS updates, like they said. Honestly I’m still on Intel because my wallet said no, and now I guess I gotta go buy a new computer just to play old stuff… love that for me.