Intel-based Macs: Forcing a Universal application to run with Rosetta
Summary
Mac OS X applications that can run natively on both Intel processor- and PowerPC processor-based Macs are called Universal applications. Even if you don't have a Universal version of an application, you can still use it on an Intel processor-based Mac by means of Rosetta, which comes with every Intel-based Mac. Rosetta works behind the scenes to translate an existing, native, non-Universal application (one that was designed to run natively a PowerPC-based Mac, not a Classic application) so that it can run on an Intel-based Mac—all you have to do is double-click the application!
Sometimes, you might have a Universal version of a graphics or Internet application on your Intel processor-based Mac that you want to run via Rosetta instead of running natively. Because some Universal applications may continue to rely on existing plug-ins, you may sometimes need to force a Universal application to run in Rosetta to accommodate the plug-in. Check with your plug-in manufacturer(s) to see if Universal versions are available, too.
Products Affected
Mac Pro, Mac mini (Mid 2007), Mac mini (Late 2006), Mac mini (Early 2006), iMac (20-inch, Mid 2007), iMac (24-inch Mid 2007), iMac (Mid 2006 17-inch), iMac (Early 2006 20-inch), iMac (Early 2006 17-inch), iMac (24-inch, Late 2006), MacBook Pro, MacBook, iMac (20-inch Late 2006), iMac (17-inch, Late 2006 CD), iMac (17-inch, Late 2006), MacBook Air, Mac Pro (Early 2008), Xserve (Early 2008)
Here's how you can force a Universal application to open using Rosetta:
- Click the application's icon in the Finder, such as Safari's icon.
- From the Finder File menu, choose Get Info (or press Command-I).
- Select the checkbox named "Open using Rosetta."
- Close the Get Info window.
Now, when you double-click the application, it will open with Rosetta, and any non-Universal plug-ins should work.