Apple starting to alert users that it will end 32-bit app support on the Mac

[Randy B. Singer]

Apple starting to alert users that it will end 32-bit app support on the Mac

"Tomorrow at midnight PT, Apple will begin issuing an alert box when you open a 32-bit app in MacOS 10.13.4. It’s a one-time (per app) alert, designed to help MacOS make the full transition to 64-bit. At some unspecified time in the future, the operating system will end its support for 32-bit technology... meaning those apps that haven't been updated just won't work."

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/apple-starting-alert-users-end-000025623.html

Now would be the time to start taking stock of which programs that you have that are 32-bit and to start looking for updates/replacements. (Quicken 2007 is an obvious 32-bit app that many users still have that will need to be replaced.)

To find which applications you have are 32-bit and which are 64-bit:

Click the Apple menu.

Choose About This Mac...

Click the System Report... button.

Look down the left hand column to Software.

Under Software click Applications.

Wait a bit for the info to be gathered.

The entire right hand window pane will fill with a list of apps.

You can raise or lower the "window shade" to make the pane larger or
smaller by using the dot at bottom center of the pane. Below the
application list is another pane that will show specifics about the app
you click.

At far right in the pane is a column named 64-Bit (Intel). You may
have to expand the window to see this column.

 

[Randy B. Singer]

As you start to get notices that various software and drivers aren't 64-bit, you may want to start bugging the developers of this software to update it.

For instance, the ScanSnap scanners from Fujitsu are wildly popular with my Mac user group. We've started bugging Fujitsu about upgrading their drivers for those scanners, and it looks like we've spurred them into action.

If you do nothing, come the release of MacOS 10.14, any hardware peripherals that you have for which the drivers haven't been updated will become bricks. It might be worth writing an e-mail now to bug the developer(s) rather than have to purchase new software and hardware later.

 

[chscag]

I sent an email some time ago to the developer of "CrossOver" (which is actually a sophisticated implementation of WINE) and they wrote back that they were aware of the problem. I'm afraid there will be developers who will maintain that attitude and not do anything about releasing a 64 bit version of their software.

I find it interesting that Apple doesn't really say that 32 bit apps will suddenly die when the next version of macOS is released. Instead they use the phrase "there will be compromises", whatever that is supposed to mean?

Also, a good reminder to everyone (including myself) who is still using Mac Office 2011, that it is a 32 bit app. Office 2016 is 64 bit.

 

[toMACsh]

I guess I'll have to figure out how to convert my Word and Excel files to Pages and Numbers. I have an extensive archive, and some of those files were converted from Claris Works or AppleWorks.

 

[chscag]

Well, unless Apple is choosing which 32 bit apps it's issuing warnings for, some of my 32 bit apps are not receiving a warning. As a matter of fact, only one has received a warning and it's a very old app: "Starry Night Pro".

Microsoft Office 2011 is still chugging along without any warnings. And Apple's own DVD Player and other older apps which are 32 bit, likewise = no warning. ???

 

[chscag]

I guess I'll have to figure out how to convert my Word and Excel files to Pages and Numbers. I have an extensive archive, and some of those files were converted from Claris Works or AppleWorks.

They should convert OK, however, some formatting may be lost or different from the original. I can only speak for Word and Powerpoint though since I do not use Excel. I've been doing most of my documents lately using Pages. The new version has many improvements including a very nice zoom feature allowing side by side pages of the same document - very similiar to what MS Word does. You need to try Pages, I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

 

[Randy B. Singer]

...Mac Office 2011, that it is a 32 bit app. Office 2016 is 64 bit.

Now might be a good time for many folks to consider making the switch from MS Office to Libre Office:

Libre Office (free)
https://www.libreoffice.org/

Also, those of you who are long-time Macintosh users and have a lot invested in Filemaker Pro are going to be in for a shock when you see how much it will cost to upgrade.

 

[toMACsh]

They should convert OK, however, some formatting may be lost or different from the original. I can only speak for Word and Powerpoint though since I do not use Excel. I've been doing most of my documents lately using Pages. The new version has many improvements including a very nice zoom feature allowing side by side pages of the same document - very similiar to what MS Word does. You need to try Pages, I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

Well, I didn't try a Word file, but Numbers would not open an Excel file. So I opened one in Excel and looked for a SaveAs to an appropriate format. The only one I tried was .csv, and it didn't just lose some formatting in Numbers, there was NO formatting. Lots of experimenting to do...

 

[chscag]

Like I said above, I'm not an Excel user and have no experience with the conversion to Numbers. However, my Powerpoint slides convert very well; the Word files could use some re-formatting, but overall for me it's OK. I no longer exchange files with anyone else anyway.

I notice Randy recommends Libre Office. Several other web sites that I have visited which compare Office Suites give Libre Office high marks. I personally don't like it but that's just me.

 

[chscag]

Now might be a good time for many folks to consider making the switch from MS Office to Libre Office:

Libre Office (free)
https://www.libreoffice.org/

Also, those of you who are long-time Macintosh users and have a lot invested in Filemaker Pro are going to be in for a shock when you see how much it will cost to upgrade.

Randy: If you have time, would you kindly take a look at this new Office Suite and let us know what you think about it. I'm not sure if you mentioned it before or not. It looks like it might be a nice substitute for MS Office and it's supposed to be 64 Bit.

SoftMaker Office for Mac 2018

Thanks.