Here are the macOS Sequoia features that Intel-powered Macs don’t support

When Apple released macOS Monterey in 2021, some key features required a Mac with Apple silicon. The same scenario happened with macOS Ventura in 2022, and then again the following year with macOS Sonoma. And now with macOS Sequoia, there are new features once again that aren’t available to Intel-powered Mac owners.

Apple says macOS Sequoia is compatible with the same Macs running macOS Sonoma except for the 2018 and 2019 MacBook Air, but Apple’s fine print reveals that some of the new features won’t work on Intel-based macOS Sequoia-compatible machines. If you’re still using an Intel Mac, here’s what you won’t be able to access.

Apple’s intelligence

Apple Intelligence, a suite of integrated AI features built specifically for Apple devices that uses advanced generative AI to improve the user experience, will not be available on Intel-powered Macs. Apple says the advanced features require an M1 chip or later, so if your Mac was released before November 2020, you’re out of luck. Apple is expected to start adding Apple Intelligence features to macOS Sequoia in the macOS 15.1 update, which is expected to arrive sometime in October.

Direct audio transcription

Live transcription lets you record audio sessions within notes in the Apple Notes app, creating live transcriptions that can be searched or integrated into documents, checklists, or other documents. According to Apple, live transcription support in the Notes app is limited to devices with Apple silicon.

What’s next?

Surprisingly, there’s nothing! Apple isn’t holding back any other new features in macOS Sequoia, which means that users with Intel-powered Macs will be able to enjoy things like the ability to schedule messages to send later, Reminder integration with calendars, a new standalone password app, window tiling, and more. Even Apple’s latest Continuity feature, iPhone Mirroring, works on Intel-powered Macs that have the T2 security chip. For all the details, be sure to check out our macOS 15 summary .