Skip to main content
This guide applies to Mac computers
Apple silicon processors are built on the arm64 Apple silicon CPU architecture, which differs greatly from the x86_64 Intel architecture. Software applications must be recompiled to run on the new architecture and can then be distributed as universal binary packages that include both the new Apple silicon version and the Intel version. Some software titles have not been updated to include an Apple silicon version in a universal binary package and include only the Intel version of the application. Mac computers with Apple silicon are still capable of running software built for Intel processors using the Rosetta 2 translation environment. This translation technology is not pre-installed on computers with Apple silicon but can be installed by the user or with the softwareupdate command-line tool.

​
Automatic Rosetta 2 installation for Auto Apps

When an Auto App requires Rosetta 2 to run on a Mac computer with Apple silicon, you will see the warning below on the Library Item. In this event, the Iru Agent will automatically check for and install Rosetta 2 as needed. Please note that these banners may be removed without notice as developers shift to universal binaries.
Installing Rosetta 2 on Mac computers with Apple silicon configuration

​
Intel-based Custom Apps require Rosetta 2

As of November 2020, when Apple first introduced computers with Apple silicon, many of the Auto Apps from Iru Endpoint were available only as Intel-based software applications. When a computer with Apple silicon detects an installer package for Intel-based software, it will send that package to the Rosetta 2 translation environment for processing. If Rosetta 2 is not already installed, then one of two things will happen. To prevent a failed installation or an end-user prompt when deploying a Custom App that requires Rosetta 2, install the Rosetta 2 translation environment on the Mac through Iru Endpoint. The following script installs Rosetta 2 on a computer with Apple silicon if it is not already present.

​
Install Rosetta 2 with Iru Endpoint

To install Intel-based Custom Apps on a computer with Apple silicon, configure its Iru Endpoint Blueprint to install Rosetta 2 first. Add a custom script to the Blueprint and name it 00 Install Rosetta 2 for Apple silicon so it runs before other items. To add this Library Item to your Iru Endpoint Library, follow the steps outlined in the Library Overview article.
1

Name the Script

Set the script’s name to 00 Install Rosetta 2 for Apple silicon.
2

Assign to Blueprints

Assign the item to the Blueprints as necessary.
3

Set Execution Frequency

Set the execution frequency to Once per device.
4

Add Script Content

In the script details, paste in the script block that appears below.
5

Save Configuration

Select Save to complete the Custom Script setup.

​
Rosetta 2 Installation Script

The Install Rosetta 2 script is maintained in the Iru Endpoint Support GitHub repo.