Which software is compatible with Lion (OS 10.7)?

With Lion, Apple dropped support for Rosetta, which is the technology that allowed you to run older software on newer Macs. Use the process below to check which applications you currently have are likely to work under Lion and which older applications will not. You can also check the RoaringApps website for an extensive list of software tested with Lion.

How do I check which applications won't work after I upgrade to Lion?

1. Open the System Profiler by going to the Apple in the upper left corner of your screen, select About This Mac and then choose the More Info button.
2. Navigate to Software > Applications in the left sidebar, then wait a few minutes for your Mac to think.
3. Open up the window a little wider until you see a column labeled "Kind". You can click the column header "Kind" to sort the applications by type.
4. Intel and Universal applications will likely work after you upgrade (although you'll want to double-check with the software manufacturer to see if a free or paid upgrade is necessary for Lion). 
5. PowerPC and Classic applications will definitely NOT work after you upgrade to Lion. You'll need to install new versions of these applications to get them working again. Some applications, like AppleWorks, are no longer made and you're going to have to transition your data to a new equivalent (see the next question for details).

What are some popular PowerPC applications that will no longer work after I upgrade to Lion?

RoaringApps has an extensive list of software tested with Lion that you can check for any applications not mentioned below.

• AppleWorks (all versions) - iWork can import documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. Database files can be exported as a text file and imported into Bento (instructions). Painting files must be re-saved one by one into JPEG, PNG, or TIFF formats. Drawing files can be opened using EazyDraw.
• Adobe Creative Suite 2 and earlier - Upgrade to Adobe CS5
• Microsoft Office (2004 and earlier) - Upgrade to Microsoft Office 2011
• Quicken 2007 or earlier - Upgrade to Quicken Essentials
• Front Row - If you use your Mac as a media center with an Apple remote, you'll have to start using a third-party application because Apple has removed the Front Row application. Check-out Boxee or Plex.
• AppleScript applications may show up as "PowerPC" even if you created them recently. To convert them, Control-click on the icon and choose "Show Package Contents" from the menu. Double-click the script file to open it in AppleScript Editor. Then choose File > Save As, and choose Application from the File Format pop-up menu.

Will my Universal and Intel software work with Lion? What about plug-ins?

RoaringApps has an extensive list of software tested with Lion. You'll need to visit the manufacturer's website of any other vital application to check if they are Lion compatible. Some manufacturers will release free updates over the coming months and others will require you to pay for an upgrade. Don't forget to check your plug-ins and other add-ons while you're at it.

Will my printer, scanner, and other hardware work with Lion?

If you didn't need to install any drivers the first time you used your printer or scanner with Snow Leopard, it's likely your device will continue working with Lion. If you needed to install drivers to get the device running, you'll need to check the manufacturer's website for updated drivers. 

What did Rosetta do? (Some background if you're curious)

In 2006, Apple stopped making computers that used PowerPC processors (called “G3,” “G4,” or “G5”) and started making computers that used Intel processors (called “Core Duo,” “Core 2 Duo,” or “Xeon”). All the software that was written for PowerPC-based Macs needed to be rewritten as a Universal application to be compatible with the new Intel computers. So that users didn’t have to wait, Apple included a technology called Rosetta with the Intel computers that could translate PowerPC applications. Usually you can’t tell the difference between a PowerPC application running through Rosetta and a Universal application. However, once you upgrade to Lion, PowerPC applications will no longer work.

Published July 5, 2011 3:35 PM
Last modified on July 20, 2011 10:05 AM