diff --git a/pants.toml b/pants.toml
index e3921f6c985..7a8666d29ba 100644
--- a/pants.toml
+++ b/pants.toml
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ cache_content_behavior = "fetch"
 
 # Our current macOS 10.15 and 11 infrastructure is working okay, so for now (i.e. 2.24 dev
 # releases), we'll just keep building on them:
-allow_deprecated_macos_before_12 = true
+allow_deprecated_macos_versions = ["10", "11"]
 
 [DEFAULT]
 # Tell `scie-pants` to use our `./pants` bootstrap script.
diff --git a/src/python/pants/option/global_options.py b/src/python/pants/option/global_options.py
index c9d6808fe32..042859e9cb9 100644
--- a/src/python/pants/option/global_options.py
+++ b/src/python/pants/option/global_options.py
@@ -1805,6 +1805,8 @@ def file_downloads_max_attempts(self) -> int:
             {doc_url("community/getting-help")}.
             """
         ),
+        removal_version="2.26.0.dev0",
+        removal_hint='Upgrade your operating system or write `allow_deprecated_macos_versions = ["10", "11"]` instead.',
     )
 
     allow_deprecated_macos_versions = StrListOption(