topic Re: Using Archicad on Macs with different chips in Installation & update

Using Archicad on Macs with different chips

Bob Moore — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 18:42:42 GMT

I am currently using Archicad on iMacs at work and at home, which have Intel chips. When I downloaded AC 29 my home computer gave me a message that AC 29 couldn't be used since it has an older OS (can't be updated).

My question is, if I purchase a new iMac with an Apple Silicon chip (to replace the older iMac), will I be able to use my same license on both computers?

Thanks

Operating system used: Mac Intel-based

Re: Using Archicad on Macs with different chips

Barry Kelly — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 00:52:39 GMT

Your Archicad license is for the version of Archicad (28 or 29) and not the operating system.

As long as your machine can run 29, your license should work just fine.

Barry.

Re: Using Archicad on Macs with different chips

Bob Moore — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 02:13:44 GMT

Thanks Barry.

AC 28 and 29 work on my newer mac with macOS 15 Sequoia. AC 29 doesn't work on my older mac with macOS 12 Monterey. Both have Intel processor chips. If I buy a new Mac with Apple Silicon chip will it work with the license I have? When I download an update it alway asks what type chip I have on my computer. So I assume by your answer I can download one on my work computer and the other version on my home computer.

Re: Using Archicad on Macs with different chips

Barry Kelly — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 02:32:46 GMT

Yes, you need the correct software to work with your operating system.

Each version of Archicad is only tested on a particular range of OS builds, so it is no surprise that 29 will not work with an older OS.

The license itself will work on any system, either of the MAC chip sets or Windows.

Barry.

Re: Using Archicad on Macs with different chips

Andreas81ch — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 00:25:28 GMT

Graphisoft Download Page;

Re: Using Archicad on Macs with different chips

mthd — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 05:51:02 GMT

Hi @Bob Moore, I take it that you downloaded Archicad 29 for Mac (intel based) version and not the (apple silicon) version for Mac and it didn’t work ?

Edit: Please see @Andreas81ch, post for the web page info.

Re: Using Archicad on Macs with different chips

Bob Moore — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 11:01:30 GMT

No. it works on the newer mac with macOS 15 Sequoia but not withe older mac with Monterey. I am thinking about buying a new mach with the Apple Silicon chip(to replace the older mac) and wanted to know if if my license would support both the new mac and the one with macOS 15 Sequoia and the Intel chip.

Re: Using Archicad on Macs with different chips

Pavel_N — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 13:42:41 GMT

Yes, AC will work on both the new silicon Mac and the old Intel Mac, and you don't have to worry about lost license on older Intel Mac.

You can have ArchiCAD installed on as many computers as you want, even on different systems (win, intel mac, silicon mac). However, you can only work on the computer on which you have downloaded the license via the GS License Manager Tool (or possibly on the computer with the USB hardware key), but you certainly understand that I think.

Here is the compatibility table https://support.graphisoft.com/hc/en-us/articles/38519356625937-Archicad-Compatibility-MacOs

In your case:

Intel Mac with MacOs12 - supported AC 24-26

Intel Mac with MacOs15 - AC 27-29

Silicon Mac with MacOs15 - AC 27-29

I'm not sure if the next version of AC30 will still be supported on Intel Macs, does anyone know?