Understanding the Rosetta 2 Prompt When Installing SilverFast 9 on Apple Silicon Macs

Understanding the Rosetta 2 Prompt When Installing SilverFast 9 on Apple Silicon Macs

SilverFast 9 is fully compatible with Apple's newer ARM-based Mac computers (M1, M2, M3, M4 chips). This article explains how to handle the Rosetta 2 installation prompt that may appear during setup and what it means for your scanning workflow.

What is Rosetta 2?

Rosetta 2 is Apple's translation technology that allows apps built for Intel processors to run on Apple Silicon Macs. While SilverFast 9 itself is a Universal App that includes native ARM code, certain components—particularly scanner drivers—may still require Rosetta 2 to function properly.

When You Might See a Rosetta 2 Prompt

You may encounter a Rosetta 2 installation prompt in two scenarios:
  1. During SilverFast 9 installation: Our installer may require Rosetta 2 to complete the setup process.
  2. When launching SilverFast 9: If your scanner only has Intel-based drivers available, SilverFast will need to run in Intel mode via Rosetta 2.

How to Install Rosetta 2

Option 1: Via the Prompt

When you see the Rosetta 2 installation prompt, simply click "Install" to proceed. macOS will automatically download and install Rosetta 2.

Option 2: Via Terminal

If you prefer to install Rosetta 2 manually:
  1. Open Terminal (located in Applications > Utilities or use Spotlight Search)
  2. Copy and paste the following command: softwareupdate --install-rosetta
  3. Press Enter and follow any on-screen instructions

Understanding SilverFast 9's ARM Compatibility

SilverFast 9 is delivered as a Universal App, containing both Intel and ARM code. How it runs depends on your scanner's driver availability:
  1. Native ARM Mode: SilverFast 9 will run natively on Apple Silicon if ARM-compatible drivers are available for your scanner
  2. Intel Mode via Rosetta: SilverFast 9 will use Rosetta 2 if only Intel drivers are available for your scanner

Scanner-Specific Information

Epson Scanners

Many Epson scanners (like the Perfection V600 Photo) can work with SilverFast 9 in native ARM mode after installing the latest "ICA Scanner Driver for ImageCapture" from Epson's support website.

Other Scanner Models

For other scanner models, SilverFast 9 may need to run in Intel mode via Rosetta 2 until ARM-compatible drivers become available from the scanner manufacturer.


Notes

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues with SilverFast 9 on your Apple Silicon Mac, check these resources:
  1. Error 107: If SilverFast suddenly shows "Error 107" after working properly, this might be caused by cleaning software that removed essential components. See our detailed guide: Error 107 - why it might happen and how to get rid of it
  2. Startup Issues: If SilverFast fails to launch after installation, ensure Rosetta 2 is properly installed using the Terminal command mentioned above.

Frequently Asked Questions.

Do I need to purchase a new version of SilverFast for my Apple Silicon Mac?

No. SilverFast 9 is a Universal App that supports both Intel and ARM architectures. Your existing SilverFast 9 license will work on your new Mac.

Will SilverFast run slower on Apple Silicon Macs when using Rosetta 2?

While Rosetta 2 adds a translation layer, Apple's implementation is highly optimized. Most users report excellent performance even when running in Intel mode.

Can I use SilverFast without installing Rosetta 2?

Only if your scanner has native ARM drivers available. Otherwise, Rosetta 2 is required for scanner communication.

Will all scanners eventually get native ARM support?

This depends on scanner manufacturers developing and releasing ARM-compatible drivers. SilverFast will automatically use native ARM mode when such drivers are available.

Need Further Assistance?

If you encounter any issues installing or running SilverFast 9 on your Apple Silicon Mac, please contact our support team with details about your Mac model, macOS version, and scanner model.

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