How to Check Intel or Apple Silicon in macOS 13

Apple Macs run on either Intel processors or Apple Silicon (such as M1, M2, or newer chips), and knowing which architecture your device uses is essential for downloading compatible software. In macOS 13 (Ventura), Apple redesigned several system menus, but verifying your processor type remains quick and straightforward. This guide covers the simplest methods to identify your Mac's processor architecture using the graphical interface or the command line.

Method 1: Check via "About This Mac"

The fastest way to determine your Mac’s processor type is through the Apple menu:

  1. Click the Apple menu () in the top-left corner of your screen.
  2. Select About This Mac.
  3. In the window that appears, look for the hardware specification line:
    • Apple Silicon: You will see a label named Chip, followed by the chip name (e.g., Apple M1, Apple M2).
    • Intel: You will see a label named Processor, followed by an Intel chip description (e.g., 2.3 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7).

Method 2: Check via System Information

For a more comprehensive look at your system hardware:

  1. Press and hold the Option key on your keyboard.
  2. Click the Apple menu () and select System Information (this replaces "About This Mac" while holding Option).
  3. In the sidebar, select Hardware.
  4. Review the Hardware Overview pane:
    • Apple Silicon displays Chip (e.g., Apple M1 Pro).
    • Intel-based systems display Processor Name and Processor Speed.

Method 3: Check Using the Terminal

If you prefer using the command line or need to check the architecture programmatically:

  1. Open the Terminal app (found in /Applications/Utilities/ or via Spotlight).

  2. Type the following command and press Enter:

    uname -m

  3. Read the output:

    • arm64: Indicates an Apple Silicon processor.
    • x86_64: Indicates an Intel 64-bit processor.

Alternatively, you can run sysctl -n machdep.cpu.brand_string to see the exact brand and model name of the processor.