The new macOS 27 Golden Gate operating system will become gradually available for supported, centrally managed University Mac computers during September and October 2026 starting on 16 September.
You will receive an update notification on your University Mac when it’s available for installation. Not all University Mac computers support macOS 27 Golden Gate, and these devices will not receive the update.
- Please note: If you actively use a University Mac computer for work, and the device does not support the macOS 27 Golden Gate update, see the instructions later in this bulletin on decommissioning the old device and submitting a device procurement request for a new Mac.
- Install the update when you receive an update notification on your computer. The update takes approximately 30–90 minutes – please keep your computer connected to mains power and the Internet throughout the update!
- The built-in Apple Intelligence AI features in macOS 27 Golden Gate have been disabled on centrally managed Mac computers, as they do not currently meet the requirements of the University of Helsinki IT security policy
If you have an old Mac computer that does not support the macOS 27 Golden Gate operating system
You will receive a notification with instructions about decommissioning the device on your Mac computer display during September 2026. Please note that old Mac computers with Intel processors will be decommissioned at the University on 31 January 2027 – see the instructions and further details in our earlier bulletin. Support for Mac devices (the time period they can be used at the University) continues for 24 months after the warranty period has ended.
1. If macOS 27 Golden Gate cannot be installed on the device, you can send your old Mac computer to be decommissioned to IT recycling via the University’s internal mail, or ask the IT Centre’s local support to collect the old device if necessary.
See how to return your device in the IT recycling instructions. The hard drives of all computers delivered to the recycling service are securely erased.
2. If you use the Mac computer actively for work and need a replacement, see the computer procurement instructions
Thank you for updating!
For support, please contact IT Helpdesk
- Chat (weekdays 9 AM to 3 PM, chatbot 24/7): helsinki.fi/helpdesk
- Call: 029 41 55555 (weekdays 9 AM to 3 PM, local network charge / mobile call charge)
- E-mail: helpdesk@helsinki.fi