CrossOver 27 Dropped Intel Mac Support. Here's What to Use Instead.

CrossOver 27 no longer supports Intel-based Macs.

If you're using a 2019 or 2020 MacBook Pro, an Intel-based Mac mini, iMac, or another Intel Mac, upgrading to CrossOver 27 is no longer an option. You'll either need to stay on an older release or start looking for another way to run Windows applications.

Intel Macs haven't disappeared just because Apple introduced Apple silicon. Many businesses, schools, and individual users still rely on them every day, and those systems continue to have years of usable life left.

Parallels Desktop 26 continues to support both Intel-based Macs and Apple silicon Macs, giving users a way to run Windows 11 alongside macOS without replacing their hardware.

What Changed in CrossOver 27?

With version 27, CodeWeavers ended support for Intel-based Macs and shifted future development to Apple silicon.

CrossOver uses Wine to translate Windows API calls into macOS APIs instead of running Windows itself. Supporting both Intel and Apple silicon architectures adds complexity, so CodeWeavers chose to focus on Apple's newer hardware.

Which Intel Macs are affected?

If you're running CrossOver on an Intel Mac, version 27 is no longer an upgrade option. This change affects all Intel-based Mac models, including:

• MacBook Air (2020 and earlier)
• MacBook Pro (2020 and earlier)
• Mac mini (2020 and earlier)
• iMac (2019 and earlier)
• iMac Pro
• Mac Pro (2019)

These Macs can continue using earlier versions of CrossOver, but they won't receive new features, compatibility improvements, or future product updates.

If you're still using one of these Intel Macs, it's a good time to evaluate the options for running Windows applications going forward.

CrossOver vs. Parallels Desktop: Two Different Approaches

CrossOver and Parallels Desktop take different approaches to running Windows applications on a Mac.

CrossOver uses Wine to translate Windows application calls into macOS APIs, so there's no need to install Windows or create a virtual machine.

Many applications run well this way, but compatibility depends on how each application interacts with Wine. Some work reliably, while others have missing functionality or don't run at all. CodeWeavers maintains a compatibility database so users can check application support before installing.

Parallels Desktop runs a full Windows virtual machine alongside macOS. Instead of translating Windows applications, it runs Windows itself, allowing users to install and use Windows software in a standard Windows environment.

Because applications run inside Windows rather than through a compatibility layer, support is generally broader—especially for business software, development tools, engineering applications, and software that depends on Windows-specific frameworks or drivers.

Why Microsoft's Authorization Matters

Parallels Desktop is authorized by Microsoft to run Windows 11 on Apple silicon Macs, making it the only virtualization solution with that authorization for Windows 11 on Apple silicon.

That distinction matters for organizations that standardize on Windows 11 or have software licensing and compliance requirements. It provides a supported way to run Windows 11 on Apple silicon while continuing to work in macOS.

Windows licensing and activation still follow Microsoft's licensing terms.

CrossOver takes a different approach. Because it runs compatible Windows applications through Wine instead of installing Windows itself, Microsoft authorization isn't part of its architecture.

CrossOver 27 vs. Parallels Desktop

CrossOver can be a good fit if you only need a handful of supported Windows applications and prefer not to install Windows. Because it translates Windows APIs into macOS rather than running Windows itself, compatibility depends on how each application interacts with Wine.

Applications that rely heavily on Windows-specific components are generally more likely to have compatibility limitations. Examples include:

• Applications that require administrator-level Windows services. Some installers, system utilities, and security tools depend on Windows services that aren't fully replicated by Wine. Running Windows in Parallels Desktop provides the native services those applications expect.
• Software protected by Windows-specific DRM or licensing technologies. Some commercial applications verify the Windows environment before launching. Because Parallels Desktop runs a licensed copy of Windows, those checks work as intended.
• Graphics-intensive applications and games. Both CrossOver and Parallels Desktop have application-specific graphics limitations. Parallels Desktop supports DirectX 11 in Windows virtual machines, but applications or games that specifically require DirectX 12 may not be supported. Users should confirm compatibility for the software they need.
• Enterprise applications with operating system compliance checks. Some business software verifies that it's running in a supported Windows environment before allowing access. Running Windows itself helps satisfy those requirements.
• Applications that depend on Windows system services or kernel-level components. Software that installs drivers, background services, or low-level integrations often requires a complete Windows operating system rather than a compatibility layer.

Parallels Desktop is generally a better fit for users who need a complete Windows environment, broad application compatibility, support for Windows 11, and the flexibility to run on both Intel-based Macs and Apple silicon Macs.

For a closer look at the latest improvements, read the Parallels Desktop 26 announcement on the Parallels blog.

Who Should Consider an Alternative?

CrossOver 27 won't affect every Mac user. If you're already using Apple silicon and the Windows applications you rely on are fully supported, your current setup may continue to meet your needs.

The change matters most for Intel Mac users. If your hardware is still serving you well, replacing your computer may not be at the top of your priority list simply to keep using the latest version of a Windows compatibility tool.

Many Intel Mac users are also running recent versions of macOS, including Sonoma and Sequoia. While those Macs continue to receive macOS updates, CrossOver 27 is no longer an option. Staying on an older CrossOver release may also mean relying on an older version of Wine, which can limit compatibility improvements for newer applications over time. By comparison, Parallels Desktop 26 continues to support Intel-based Macs running both macOS Sonoma and macOS Sequoia, giving users a current way to run Windows 11 alongside the latest versions of macOS.

It's also worth considering an alternative if you've run into application compatibility limits. Some Windows software depends on Windows components, drivers, or graphics technologies that a compatibility layer can't fully reproduce. If you've spent time checking compatibility lists, trying different Wine versions, or troubleshooting application behavior, running Windows itself may be the simpler approach.

Parallels Desktop continues to support both Intel-based Macs and Apple silicon Macs, giving users a consistent way to run Windows 11 alongside macOS across both platforms.

You may want to evaluate Parallels Desktop if you:

• Still use an Intel-based Mac and want to continue receiving product updates.
• Run macOS Sonoma or Sequoia on an Intel Mac and need an actively supported way to use Windows applications.
• Need Windows applications that aren't fully compatible with CrossOver.
• Use professional software that depends on Windows-specific technologies or graphics support.
• Want to run multiple Windows applications without checking compatibility ratings first.
• Need a supported Windows environment for work, school, or business.

For organizations, running Windows in a virtual machine can also simplify software deployment, user support, and application management by giving employees a consistent Windows environment regardless of whether they're using an Intel-based Mac or an Apple silicon Mac.

Try Parallels Desktop on Your Intel or Apple Silicon Mac

If CrossOver 27 has you reconsidering how you run Windows applications, the easiest way to compare approaches is with your own software.

Install the applications you use every day. Open the files you normally work with. Test the workflows that matter to you.

Parallels Desktop 26 continues to support Intel-based Macs while also providing a fully supported Windows 11 experience on Apple silicon Macs.

Start a fully functional 14-day free trial and see how your Windows applications perform on your Mac.

Parallels Desktop 26 is available at parallels.com/products/desktop. Intel Mac users can download and run Parallels Desktop 26 today.