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In this article, we’ll show you how to run 32-bit apps on macOS because they don’t work with macOS Catalina. macOS Mojave will be the last official version of Apple’s Mac OS that can run 32-bit apps. But what if you have to use a 32-bit app in the future? You can always use a virtualization program to make a virtual machine that runs Mojave.
This isn’t the easiest solution, but it’s always an option. Catalina, the latest version of Apple’s operating system macOS, looks a lot like earlier versions but is very different on the inside. The biggest change is that Apple took out all the code that allowed older 32-bit apps to run on Apple’s 64-bit operating system in earlier versions.
Apple told us years ago that this change was coming, and it’s clear that an OS like Catalina that only runs 64-bit code is more efficient than one that runs both 32-bit and 64-bit code. Still, Catalina blocks apps that many people have used for years and depend on. You can also go to the official Apple support site to know more information.
Ways to run 32-bit apps on macOS
Take advantage of Virtual Machines
Virtual machines make it possible to do a lot of things that didn’t seem possible before. Many people use them to run Windows apps on Mac or Mac apps on Windows. The same is true for 32-bit programs that don’t work with Catalina anymore.
At the moment, Parallels Desktop and VMware Fusion are two of the best programs that can help you do this. For long-term use, you’ll need to buy the full version, but users can try out both apps for free during the trial period (14-30 days).
Using Parallels Desktop
Setting up a virtual machine takes a little bit of time. The plan is to install Mojave or an older version that supports the 32-bit format. With Parallels Desktop, you can do this. Get it, and then follow the steps below.
Note that these steps are for people whose main operating system is Catalina, Big Sur, or Monterrey. If you want to prepare the soil before moving from Mojave to Catalina, Big Sur, or Monterey, you can skip these steps and go to the next set of instructions.
- First, you have to download the file of Mojave from the official App Store.
- Do not execute the downloaded file, instead, open Parallels Desktop, navigate to File > New, and choose Installation Assistant.
- In the appeared window, click Install Windows or other OS from a DVD or image file.
- If Parallels did not detect Mojave installers by itself on the next screen, you should drag the installation file into the window yourself.
- Follow the on-screen prompts until you end up on the disk selection. Choose your hard disk (Macintosh HD) and install the OS.
- Once Parallels finished the installation of Mojave, set up the system as you normally do (language, etc.).
- Then, on the actual Catalina screen (not within a virtual machine), choose Actions in the top menu line and Install Parallels Tools.
- Complete the on-screen instructions and restart the virtual machine.
- Lastly, 32-bit apps from Catalina, Big Sur, or Monterrey can be moved to Mojave in the virtual machine by selecting them and dragging them there. Most of the time, you will see the same message that says 32-bit isn’t compatible anymore. Just don’t care about it and use the apps you want.
As was already said, the process of running your OS in a virtual machine on Mojave is almost the same. You will have to change some of the steps above.
- Open Parallels Desktop, navigate to File > New, and choose Installation Assistant, as we did before.
- Then, under Free Systems, move to the right and choose Install macOS 10.14.6 Using the Recovery Partition. It does not matter whether your version number is different. Just choose the one you want.
- In the next window appeared, click install and choose the language you want (if asked).
- Then, in the macOS Utilities tab, choose Reinstall macOS and agree with the license prompts.
- After this is done, you should repeat the 5-9 steps listed above in the previous method.
- Once finished, you can update to Catalina and use Parallels to run 32-bit apps.