When Apple released its first Macs with the M1 processor (the first generation of Apple’s chip), it also introduced a new architecture for running applications on the Mac. Thus, to take full advantage of the new chip speeds, the Software for Intel, it must be rewritten specifically for the M1 processor.
However, developers need time to rewrite applications with “native” code, which is why Apple has created a translation tool called Rosetta 2, which enables the Software for Intel designed for Macs with Intel to run on the Apple chip.
If you have a Mac with M1, you are probably already using Rosetta and not knowing it. The first time you open an app that needs it, an alert will appear telling you that Rosetta is needed and asking for your permission to install it.
After installation, Rosetta will become available for any application that needs it. The same goes for M1 applications. If a native app is available, your Mac will run that version automatically.
However, you may have a universal app (an app designed to work on both Macs with Intel and with the Apple chip) and want to run the version for Intel instead of the version for Mac.
This can happen when an M1 application does not have a feature that you need, or if you are using an application with external plugins or extensions that are only compatible with the Intel version.
On these occasions, it is possible to force a universal app to run the Rosetta version instead. And you can start using the native app again when you need to. Here’s how to do it.
1. Find the application in your “Applications” folder.
2. Select the application, then press “Command” + “I” (or right click and use the “File” menu and select “Get Info”). This will open an information window with details about the application.
3. In that window, look for a box called “Open using Rosetta”. Check the box.
4. Close the window.
5. If you had the app open, close and reopen it.
Now when you open this app, your Mac will be running the Intel version of the Software and will use the translated layer. If you want to stop using Rosetta, you will have to repeat the instructions and uncheck the box.
Original article published in igamesnews US.
