I would like to use my 32 bit apps with Catalina. What is the workaround? Should I backgrade to Mohave?

You can not use 32 bit apps with Catalina.

Revert your Mac to a previous macOS version - Apple Support

But I would upgrade my old apps rather than revert to an older operating system.

lynfromglendale Said:

"I would like to use my 32 bit apps with Catalina. What is the workaround? Should I backgrade to Mohave?"

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Run this Through a Virtual Machine:

If there ends up being not solution for Catalina, consider using a Virtual Machine (VM) for this software (Windows-in-a-window). See if this item os an option for Windows. If it is, then ask the developer how to transfer the software to a Window install.

About Virtual Machine Software:

All would be accessed and would operate as desired on the VM. Virtual Machine applications include VMWare Fusion and Parallels. Learn more here: What Is a Virtual Machine? - VMware Support. Thing is, you can run 32-bit software off of it, while your macOS is running in the background.

I tested several older OS X versions on VMware Fusion. OS X 10.6 Server is great because it can run old PowerPC apps like MT NewsWatcher via its Rosetta emulation and also Photoshop CS 6 runs on it. But Lightroom 6.14 needs OS X 10.11 so I installed also it as a VM. VMs lack a graphics acceleration driver so some GUI elements have safe-boot-like artifacts and Mojave has too much bloat for this task anyway. I'll see if that route is OK or if I boot into Mojave partition to run old software. Or bite the bullet and update the software.

What is the Model ID of your Mac?

What system did your Mac come with?

What 32 bit apps are you concerned about?