---
title: "Apple silicon and Intel Macs"
url: https://storagestudio.us/wiki/apple-silicon-and-intel
category: "Licensing & payments"
tags: ["apple silicon", "intel", "updates", "licence"]
summary: "Storage Studio 4.18 and later need a Mac with Apple silicon. Intel Macs stay on version 4.17.1, which keeps working, and are never offered an update they can't open. Your licence works the same on either."
updated: 2026-10-01T05:36:28.000Z
---

# Apple silicon and Intel Macs

Storage Studio 4.18 and later need a Mac with Apple silicon. Intel Macs stay on version 4.17.1, which keeps working, and are never offered an update they can't open. Your licence works the same on either.

Storage Studio 4.18 and later need a Mac with Apple silicon (M1 or later). Intel Macs stay on version 4.17.1, the last version built for Intel. If you have an Intel Mac, Storage Studio 4.17.1 keeps working, and your trial or licence works on it exactly as before.

## Which Mac do I have?

Choose **Apple menu → About This Mac**. If the window lists a **Chip** such as Apple M1, M2, M3 or M4, your Mac has [Apple silicon](https://storagestudio.us/wiki/glossary-apple-silicon). If it lists a **Processor** made by Intel, it's an Intel Mac.

## How updates behave on an Intel Mac

Storage Studio checks for updates with our servers. When an Intel Mac asks, it is told that 4.17.1 is the latest version it can use:

- An Intel Mac already on 4.17.1 sees **You're on the latest version**.
- An Intel Mac on an older version is offered 4.17.1 — the newest build it can open — and nothing newer.
- An Intel Mac is never told it *must* update to a version it can't run.

This matters because a newer build would download and install without complaint and then refuse to open. Holding Intel Macs at 4.17.1 means that can't happen.

```mermaid
%% caption: What an update check offers, by kind of Mac
flowchart TD
  A[Storage Studio checks for an update] --> B{What kind of Mac?}
  B -->|Apple silicon| C[Offered the latest version]
  B -->|Intel| D{Already on 4.17.1?}
  D -->|Yes| E[You're on the latest version]
  D -->|No| F[Offered 4.17.1, never anything newer]
```

*Flowchart — What an update check offers, by kind of Mac. Outline:*

- Storage Studio checks for an update
  - leads to What kind of Mac?
- What kind of Mac?
  - Apple silicon: leads to Offered the latest version
  - Intel: leads to Already on 4.17.1?
- Already on 4.17.1?
  - Yes: leads to You're on the latest version
  - No: leads to Offered 4.17.1, never anything newer

## Your licence on either kind of Mac

Licences aren't tied to a type of processor. The same plans, trial and licence keys work on 4.17.1 and on later versions. If you move from an Intel Mac to one with Apple silicon, install the current version on the new Mac and activate your licence there — see [Using your licence on a new Mac](https://storagestudio.us/wiki/moving-to-a-new-mac).

## Downloading for an Intel Mac

If you reinstall on an Intel Mac, use version 4.17.1. Installing a later version on an Intel Mac won't work — macOS will refuse to open it.

See also: [Keeping Storage Studio up to date](https://storagestudio.us/wiki/keeping-storage-studio-up-to-date), [Installing Storage Studio](https://storagestudio.us/wiki/installing-storage-studio), [Apple silicon](https://storagestudio.us/wiki/glossary-apple-silicon).

## What links here

- [Apple silicon](https://storagestudio.us/wiki/glossary-apple-silicon)
- [Installing Storage Studio](https://storagestudio.us/wiki/installing-storage-studio)
- [Is Storage Studio safe to install?](https://storagestudio.us/wiki/is-storage-studio-safe-to-install)
- [Keeping Storage Studio up to date](https://storagestudio.us/wiki/keeping-storage-studio-up-to-date)
- [Moves or transfers say a component is missing](https://storagestudio.us/wiki/engine-missing)
- [Tuhi on a Mac without Apple Intelligence](https://storagestudio.us/wiki/tuhi-without-apple-intelligence)
- [Using your licence on a new Mac](https://storagestudio.us/wiki/moving-to-a-new-mac)
- [macOS says the app can't be opened](https://storagestudio.us/wiki/macos-says-the-app-cant-be-opened)