Universal binary checker
Paste what lipo or file prints for your app. It is read right here on this page, and nothing is sent anywhere.
Try an example:
What it does
A Mac app's code can hold one or more architectures: arm64 for Apple silicon and x86_64 for Intel. A file with both is a universal binary. This tool reads the text that lipo or file prints, finds the architecture names in it, and tells you which Macs each part runs on. If you paste several parts of one app, it also says whether the app as a whole is universal, because one helper or framework built for a single architecture is enough to break that.
Commands to run
lipo -archs YourApp.app/Contents/MacOS/YourApp file YourApp.app/Contents/MacOS/YourApp
To check every executable part of the bundle at once, including frameworks and helpers:
find YourApp.app/Contents -type f -perm +111 -exec file {} +Run these on the exact build you ship, not a debug build, which may only hold the architecture of the Mac you built it on.
What each result means
| Result | What it means |
|---|---|
| Universal | Has arm64 and x86_64. Runs natively on Apple silicon and Intel Macs. |
| Apple silicon only | Has arm64 only. It will not open on an Intel Mac, so say so on your site. |
| Intel only | Has x86_64 only. On Apple silicon it needs Rosetta 2, and Apple has said general Rosetta 2 support for apps ends after macOS 27. |
| Will not run | Only i386 or PowerPC code. macOS has not run 32-bit apps since Catalina. |
Sources: Apple Developer, Building a universal macOS binary, and MacRumors on the end of Rosetta 2 support, both read November 3, 2026.
How it works
It is a few plain text rules running on this page. It knows the outputs of lipo -archs, lipo -info, lipo -detailed_info and file, and the names arm64, arm64e, x86_64, x86_64h, i386 and PowerPC. If it finds none of those, it says it does not recognize the text instead of guessing. It reads text only, so it cannot tell whether the code inside really works.
Questions
How do I know if a Mac app is universal?
Run lipo -archs on the binary inside the app, in Contents/MacOS. If it lists both arm64 and x86_64, it is universal. You can also select the app in Finder, choose Get Info and read Kind.
My main binary is universal. Is my app?
Not always. Every framework, helper and plug-in inside the bundle needs the same architectures. Paste the file output for all of them to check.
Will Intel-only apps keep working on Apple silicon?
For now, through Rosetta 2. Apple has said general Rosetta 2 support for apps ends after macOS 27, with a narrow exception for some older games.
Is what I paste sent anywhere?
No. The text is read on this page and nothing is sent.