What each verdict means
Runs natively, opens but parts won’t, won’t open, won’t run, a game, already can’t open, or can’t tell.
Every app and add-on gets one verdict, written in capitals above its name. Open one from any list to see its verdict, its sentence, what it’s made of and what to do.
- RUNS NATIVELY: “Runs natively. Nothing to do.” It’s made for your Mac’s chip.
- OPENS AFTER macOS 27 · TWO PARTS WON’T: the app runs natively, but parts inside it are made only for Intel processors. The app opens after macOS 27; those parts don’t. Parts inside apps
- WON’T OPEN AFTER macOS 27: “Wayfarer is made only for Macs with Intel processors. It runs today through Rosetta. In macOS 28 it won’t open.”
- WON’T RUN AFTER macOS 27: an add-on made only for Intel processors. A printer driver says WON’T PRINT AFTER macOS 27, a scanner driver WON’T SCAN AFTER macOS 27. Printers and scanners
- A GAME · INTEL ONLY: a game made only for Intel processors. Apple will keep part of Rosetta for certain older games, but hasn’t said which. Games
- ALREADY CAN’T OPEN: “Made for 32-bit Macs. It hasn’t been able to open since macOS 10.15, so nothing changes for it now.”
- CAN’T TELL: “Vernacular couldn’t read this one.” When Vernacular can’t tell
What to do
Under WHAT TO DO, one to three steps. Try the first one first. For an app, it’s usually Check for Updates in the app, the App Store, or the developer’s site. For a driver, the maker’s site. Then read again: a new version shows as running natively. If there’s no new version, it keeps working while your Mac stays on macOS 27.
When Vernacular knows where to look, a button takes you there: Open the developer’s site or Open the maker’s site, in your browser. Open Wayfarer opens the app, so you can choose Check for Updates in it. Show in Finder shows where it is.
Notes under a verdict
- Old: “Built in June 2019 against macOS 10.15. If there’s a newer version, it isn’t on this Mac.” This is a fact about the copy you have, from when it was built. It doesn’t mean the developer has stopped making it.
- Open right now: “Open right now through Rosetta.”, when the app is running through Rosetta as Vernacular reads.
- Copies: “You have two copies: 3.2 here and 3.1 in Old versions.” Copies
Every verdict, note and step, word for word: Every answer Vernacular can give.