Important Notice for BookHound Users: Apple's Upcoming Changes to Intel-Based Applications

Note: BookHound 8 will continue working on your Intel Mac on your current version of OSx as long as you do not upgrade to a non Rosetta supporting version. The deadline is not until 2027.

Summary

Apple has announced that support for Intel-based Mac applications is coming to an end. This change will affect older software that relies on Apple's Rosetta 2 translation technology to run on modern Apple Silicon Macs (M1, M2, M3, and newer). Apple has stated that Rosetta 2 support will be phased out after macOS 27, with most Intel-only applications expected to stop working on future versions of macOS beginning in 2027.

This announcement is particularly relevant to users of the standalone BookHound runtime application.

Why This Affects BookHound

The standalone version of BookHound was built using FileMaker 16 Runtime technology.

FileMaker Runtime functionality was discontinued by Claris (formerly FileMaker) after FileMaker 18, and FileMaker 16 was the last version we used to create standalone BookHound applications. As a result:

The BookHound runtime application is Intel-only software.
It cannot be rebuilt as a native Apple Silicon application.
It relies on Apple's compatibility technologies to run on modern Macs.
Future versions of macOS are expected to remove the ability to run Intel-only applications.

What Happens and When?

Today
BookHound Runtime continues to work on supported versions of macOS.

Many customers are already running BookHound on Apple Silicon Macs using Rosetta 2 without issue.

Through macOS 27

Apple has indicated that Rosetta 2 will remain available through macOS 27. Intel-based applications such as BookHound Runtime should continue to function during this period.

Beginning in 2027

Apple has announced plans to significantly reduce or remove Rosetta 2 support in future macOS releases expected in 2027 and beyond. At that point, Intel-only applications may no longer launch on Apple Silicon Macs.

While Apple controls the exact timeline, customers should assume that BookHound Runtime will eventually stop working on future macOS versions.

What Are My Options?

Option 1: Continue Using Your Current System

If BookHound Runtime meets your needs today, you may continue using:

Your existing Intel Mac.
Your current macOS version.
An Apple Silicon Mac running a supported macOS version with Rosetta 2 installed.

Your existing Intel Mac Your current macOS version An Apple Silicon Mac running a supported macOS version with Rosetta 2 installed.

Option 2: Avoid Upgrading macOS

When future macOS versions are released, customers may choose not to upgrade their operating system if they need to continue running BookHound Runtime. This is a common strategy for maintaining compatibility with legacy business software

Option 3: Migrate to a Supported FileMaker Solution

Customers who require long-term compatibility with future versions of macOS should consider migrating to a modern FileMaker-based solution.
Current versions of Claris FileMaker support Apple Silicon natively and are actively maintained by Claris.

Note: A migration would require moving your BookHound data into a supported FileMaker environment and would involve additional licensing costs from Claris.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will BookHound stop working immediately?
No.

BookHound Runtime continues to work today and is expected to continue working through Apple's current Rosetta support period. The concern is future macOS releases beginning in 2027 and beyond.

Can the standalone runtime be updated?

Unfortunately not.

The standalone runtime technology used by BookHound was discontinued by Claris years ago and is no longer supported. There is no supported path to rebuild the existing runtime as a native Apple Silicon application.

Will my data be lost?
No.

Your BookHound data files remain yours and can be backed up as normal. This announcement concerns application compatibility, not your data.

What should I do right now?

For most customers, no immediate action is required.

We recommend:

Continuing to use BookHound normally.
Maintaining regular backups.
Avoiding major macOS upgrades without verifying compatibility.
Contacting support if you are planning to purchase a new Mac or upgrade your operating system.

Questions?: If you have questions about your specific BookHound installation, planned Mac upgrades, or migration options, please contact BookHound Support for guidance.