A new website could become the go-to guide to which applications are compatible with Macs running on Apple Silicon chips.
IsAppleSiliconReady.com lists apps that have been ported to run on Apple’s new M1 processor. It also tells if apps are compatible with Rosetta 2, the macOS Big Sur feature that allows the M1 Macs to run software compiled for Intel chips.
Mac apps have to be recompiled for Apple Silicon
Apple Silicon brings a huge change to Mac software. Previously, macOS software was written and compiled for Intel chips. But it must be recompiled for the Apple M1 used in the new MacBook Air, MacBook Pro and Mac mini.
In the meantime, Apple developed Rosetta 2 for macOS Big Sure. Early indications are that this tool works very well. And that’s another data point indicted on the website of M1-compatible macOS apps.
How to find out if a macOS application runs on an M1 Mac
IsAppleSiliconReady.com shows that the process of recompiling third-party software to Apple Silicon is happening fairly quickly. And it also lists how well applications support Rosetta 2.
The site offers a search engine for finding specific software titles. And the applications are broken up by categories. Someone can, for example, see what web browsers are available for M1 Macs.
The developer says the goal is “to help people decide the best time to buy new MacBook with M1 chip when their app set is supported.”
It’s a pretty useful and cool site — there’s even a Dark Mode switch.
Another M1 app-compatibility tool: iMazing’s new Silicon
Meanwhile, developer iMazing released a free app called Silicon. It scans your Mac to see which of your apps are compatible with the new M1 Macs.
“Scan your macOS apps and display their supported CPU architecture,” says iMazing’s description of the app. “Especially made to detect apps which offer (or don’t!) native Apple Silicon support.”
You can download the Silicon app from iMazing directly.
