The transition to 64-bit is now in full swing, while 32-bit operating systems and software are still prevalent - Apple has already marked an end to 32-bit apps on iOS devices with iOS 11, and soon will extend the same changes on macOS operating system.
Starting with iOS 11, any attempting to open a 32-bit app will give a message notifying users that the app needs to be updated before it can run on the new software.
And with the next version of macOS after High Sierra, Apple will begin "aggressive" notifications about discontinuation of 32-bit apps support before eventually phasing it out from Mac App Store.
And all new apps submitted to the App Store must be 64-bit, and all apps and app updates submitted must be 64-bit by June 2018.
The obvious advantage of 64-bit includes availability of larger memory, and performance can benefit from the extra storage spaces called registers on processors, making some intense computing tasks to run faster.
Apple had earlier issued warnings that most apps that haven’t been updated since 2015 will likely be rendered inoperable by whatever future version of iOS which pulls the plug on 32-bit apps.
The first iPhone with a 64-bit processor, was iPhone 5s and since it launched in September 2013, developers have had the option to have their apps run in 64-bit mode.
Since then, both end users and developers were given several warnings, before the eventual end, and the company says it will follow the same path for the macOS operating system.
