macOS Monterey Beta 4 Brings Live Text to Intel-Based Macs - MacRumors
Skip to Content

macOS Monterey Beta 4 Brings Live Text to Intel-Based Macs

The latest beta update of macOS Monterey, released to developers today, has brought Live Text functionality to Intel-based Mac computers, removing the requirement for users to use an M1 Apple silicon Mac to utilize the feature, according to Rene Ritchie.

live text macos monterey feature
Live Text, included in the forthcoming macOS Monterey, iOS 15, and iPadOS 15 updates, allows users to interact with text within images, such as phone numbers, addresses, and more. With Live Text, text inside images also becomes selectable, allowing users to cut and copy the text into apps.

Apple at first stated that an ‌M1‌ Apple silicon Mac is a requirement for Live Text on macOS Monterey, but with the latest beta, it's been expanded to Intel-based Mac computers.


macOS Monterey, alongside iOS 15, iPadOS 15, tvOS 15, and watchOS 8, will be released to all users this coming fall. Learn more about macOS Monterey and all of it's new features using our guide.

Related Forum: macOS Monterey

Popular Stories

iOS 26

iOS 26.4 Adds Two New Features to CarPlay

Tuesday March 24, 2026 1:55 pm PDT by
iOS 26.4 was released today, and it includes a couple of new features for CarPlay: an Ambient Music widget and support for voice-based chatbot apps. To update your iPhone 11 or newer to iOS 26.4, open the Settings app and tap on General → Software Update. CarPlay will automatically offer the new features so long as the iPhone connected to your vehicle is running iOS 26.4 or later....
Apple Business hero

Apple Unveils 'Apple Business' All-in-One Platform

Tuesday March 24, 2026 8:53 am PDT by
Apple today announced Apple Business, a new all-in-one platform that unifies device management, productivity tools, and customer outreach features. The service is designed to be a consolidated replacement for several of Apple's existing business-focused offerings, including Apple Business Essentials, Apple Business Manager, and Apple Business Connect. It provides organizations with a single...
AirPods Pro Firmware Feature

Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4

Tuesday March 24, 2026 12:31 pm PDT by
Apple today released new firmware for the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and the AirPods 4. The firmware has a version number of 8B39, up from 8B34 on the AirPods Pro 3, 8B28 on the AirPods Pro 2, and 8B21 on the AirPods 4. There is no word on what's included in the firmware, but Apple has a support document with limited notes. Most updates are limited to bug fixes and performance...

Top Rated Comments

zorinlynx Avatar
61 months ago
I'm so glad, because it was absolutely ridiculous that a feature that doesn't have to be real-time was dependent on having a certain CPU. Not only that, but many Intel Macs have beefy GPUs that can do this processing!
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
61 months ago

Just a proof that Apple loves to apply senseless limitations solely because of business benefits by planned obsolescence.
The proof of Apple's planned obsolescence is supporting intel Macs with a new feature?

...makes sense.

You realize that Apple itself is in charge of MacOS betas, right? :)
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cmChimera Avatar
61 months ago

The proof of Apple's planned obsolescence is supporting intel Macs with a new feature?

...makes sense.

You realize that Apple itself is in charge of MacOS betas, right? :)
Yeah this has been bizarre to me. This feature was explicitly said to NOT be coming to intel Macs, and Apple added it anyway and people are mad about it. I don't get it.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Wildkraut Avatar
61 months ago

So planned obsolescence... There's no reason why a 2017 or 2019 MBP can't support it. I wonder how many other features Apple has intentionally kept from their machines just to make new machines a more compelling upgrade.

My 2012 (NINE YEARS OLD) Mac Pro runs macOS Big Slur w/o issues. Just had to upgrade the graphics card. I'm not expecting Apple to support 9+ year old computers, but when the hardware is perfectly capable, there's no reason to drop support.
You had to upgrade the graphic card, probably because there was no driver for it. But i bet even your old graphic card would be technically capable of running it without issues.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mr. Dee Avatar
61 months ago
I wonder what’s John Grubers excuse now. I remember him saying, Live Text was only possible because the M1 chip. When it was obvious Apple was just being stubborn about adding support. It would be ridiculous a feature like this would really require the M1 chip. Worse, they are still selling Intel MacBook Pros for the foreseeable future.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
61 months ago
Good! 👍
Now they should do the same for the new M1-only Maps features and those fancy Touch ID keyboards (if Intel laptops can have Touch ID, so can Intel iMacs).
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)