Running 32 bit apps in later macOS versions

[bayswater]

In OS X Daily there is an article about an app called Retroactive. It can install old versions of Aperture, iTunes and other apps that anything post Mojave won't run. I tried it because I used Aperture and never found anything as good for asset management. I now have Aperture running well in Monterey.

The app is dead simple to use. In the case of Aperture it gives you options on how to install the app, then modifies it so it runs in anything up to Sonoma. It contains a link that explains how it does this. It appears, as I suspected, that in many cases, all that happens is the OS is checking a file inside the app package and rejecting it on the basis of what it sees when it would actually run if you just change the thing that says it can't to something that says it can. (some might rant about planned obsolescence, but not me).

If comes with options to install a few other apps and looks like it will offer up even more. There is a mention that it can install Logic 9 and Final Cut Pro 7, for example. I'm hoping this effort will expand to cover other apps that people might want to run. Maybe even plugins?

The article and link to Github

https://osxdaily.com/2024/05/31/install ... troactive/

Deep Dive

https://medium.com/@cormiertyshawn895/d ... fe0e5ea49e

[James Steele]

That’s VERY interesting. I’d LOVE to be able to run FileMaker Bento in a modern OS. High Sierra was the last version it worked on and even then it had some issues, but they could be worked around. So bummed when FileMaker killed it off. I still run a Mac in my office in High Sierra so I can run Bento.

[bayswater]

For me, it makes update to macOS more acceptable. I managed to get an old version of iTunes, before it became as dog's breakfast, working too.

[mikehalloran]

If it can run Encore 5.0.7, that will be wicked cool.

[bayswater]

I've been thinking about a few other apps. I wanted iMovie, and it says it can do that, but you have to install a pre-Mojave version on a Mojave partition, and then it will modify that and put it on whatever OS volume you use. The problem is that Apple doesn't provide a version before macOS 13.6 and no one seems to be able to find a download source. OneShot seems to be a reasonable free substitute. Looks, sounds and smells just like iMovie.

I did manage to install an old version of iTunes from before it became a complete mess. I've moved all that stuff to Anytune, but that is old version of iTunes comes in handy because it will still update my version 1 iPod Touch. Otherwise, newer versions of iTunes tell me to update my iPod to iOS 15. I'm starting to wonder if there are any humans left at Apple or whether the entire operation is AI.

If you follow the links for Retroactive, there appears to be a forum of people trying to get old stuff to install. I've not followed it because it looks like you have to get into the bowels of the app contents and console messages to figure out what macOS is checking when it decides not to install an old app, and know how to modify that information. I have to assume that even then, you won't necessarily get something to run properly.

[mikehalloran]

I don't see that this allows 32 bit apps to run over Catalina and later. What it does is allow many older Apple apps to run over later versions of the macOS than Apple intended. Apple was supporting the 64 bit kernel for years (10.8?) and this removes the flag preventing many of these apps from running.

I should (or used to) have all of these old apps archived. It is possible that I might know where and that those CD-Rs may still work. If so, I can upload them to a Dropbox folder and make it available to anyone with the download link. It's also possible that my wife recycled them years ago.

[bayswater]

I don't see that this allows 32 bit apps to run over Catalina and later.

I’m pretty sure I saw that mentioned in one of the cases cited in the various threads and links. I’ll post it if I see it again.

[mikehalloran]

I don't see that this allows 32 bit apps to run over Catalina and later.

I’m pretty sure I saw that mentioned in one of the cases cited in the various threads and links. I’ll post it if I see it again.

Mentioned or not, I'm pretty sure I am right. Apple apps have been 64 bit for a very long time. I remember a dozen years ago when there were many debates about supporting the 64 bit kernel around here and exactly what that meant.