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For content creators, having Adobe on Mac is essential. Adobe has fixed previous versions of Adobe, but we can continue using it for free with the Adobe 2024 suite with macOS 13 or later. In this article update, Lucid Gen will guide you on installing Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Lightroom, Premiere, Audition, Animate, After Effects, Media Encoder, and many other Adobe applications.
Download Adobe for Mac
You need to know this information to install Adobe 2024 for Mac. Please note that macOS versions lower than 13 will not work with this tutorial.
| macOS | From 13 (Ventura) and up |
| Adobe version | 2024 |
| Chips | Intel and ARM |
| SIP and Gatekeeper | Disable |
Download AntiCC, CleanMyMac, and AdobeCreativeCloudCleanerTool first. These are the necessary tools to install Adobe on Mac for free.
- AntiCC: Helps you not need to install Adobe Creative Cloud but can still install free Adobe applications.
- AdobeCreativeCloudCleanerTool: Helps you safely uninstall old Adobe applications on Mac.
- CleanMyMac: Helps you clean up leftovers after uninstalling old Adobe on Mac.
The list of installation files that Lucid Gen shares includes the following Adobe applications for Mac:
- Adobe Acrobat
- Adobe After Effects
- Adobe Animate
- Adobe Audition
- Adobe Bridge
- Adobe Character Animator
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe InCopy
- Adobe InDesign
- Adobe Lightroom
- Adobe Media Encoder
- Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe Premiere
Prepare before installing Adobe
Please note that this part is essential; it determines whether you will install Adobe on a MacBook smoothly. So you need to follow it thoroughly. This tutorial was done on macOS Sonoma and was 100% successful.
Turn off Gatekeeper and SIP
Not just Adobe, but to install any available app outside the App Store for free, you must turn off Gatekeeper and SIP on your Mac. The part turning off SIP will be a bit difficult because you have to enter recovery mode, but you have to try to learn and pass.
Clean up everything related to old Adobe
If you have ever installed any Adobe applications on Mac before, to install Adobe 2024 applications for Mac, you need to delete and clean everything related to old Adobe.
Step 1: Open AdobeCreativeCloudCleanerTool and click the Clean All button. This is how to remove all Adobe applications safely. But you still need to restore the hosts file on Mac manually because the Fix Host File feature does not work well.
Step 2: Remove remaining Adobe sync applications using CleanMyMac. Go to the Uninstaller section and search for Adobe to remove all remaining applications.
Step 3: Delete empty folders related to old Adobe. Even though you have used the above two tools, you must manually delete anything associated with Adobe in the folders below if you find it.
- /Applications
- /Applications/Utilities
- /Documents
Step 4: Restart the device.
If you complete the above preparation steps, Lucid Gen believes that 90% of you will successfully install the entire Adobe for Mac suite. Now, we must go through installing each Adobe 2024 application.
Install Adobe on Mac for free
Step 1: Install AntiCC first. AntiCC will help you avoid installing Adobe Creative Cloud and using Adobe for free on Mac (which means you have to uninstall Adobe Creative Cloud). Just click Continue Install until completed.
Step 2: After extracting the zip file on Mac, open the file with the dmg extension. Double-click the Install file to install Adobe Photoshop for Mac or other Adobe.
The installation process for an Adobe for Mac application will be shown below. Please enter the password to open the device if any dialog box asks.
If you encounter an error and cannot open steps 1 and 2. Copy the Install, Patch, and AntiCC files to any folder on your computer, such as Downloads. Then open Terminal and type xattr -cr , drag and drop the Install, Patch, and AntiCC files, then Enter.
Step 3: After installing an Adobe application for Mac, do not rush to install the Patch file. Open the Adobe application and log in to your Adobe account. To be successful, you must use an account whose Country/Region is United States. If you do not have such an account, register at Adobe.com.
After logging in, you will see this trial window; please turn it off. At the same time, you also close the open Adobe application. To make sure the application is completed, right-click on the running application on the Dock and select Quit.
Note: Download all the Adobe applications you need and install steps 1 to 3. Only after you have logged in to all Adobe applications, do steps 4 and 5 for each application, because after performing these two steps, you will not be able to install other Adobe applications.
If you have installed a Patch file and are currently having an error when trying to install another Adobe application, please clean your computer as I instructed and start again.
Step 4: Install the Patch file to use Adobe 2024 on Mac for free. Most Patch files have no options; click Continue and Install until completion. However, if your Patch file displays many options, you should only select the correct name of the Adobe application you are installing to avoid causing errors to other Adobe applications.
Step 5: To avoid the error “This unlicensed Adobe app will be disabled soon”, you need to install Unlicensed Adobe App Patch, be sure to only select the 2 lines “Genuine Service Fix” and “Remove Creative Cloud”.
After installing Adobe on Mac, you can delete all downloaded installation files and enjoy Adobe applications on your MacBook.
How to handle errors during installation
Failed with error code 183
Delete or rename the Photoshop folder in Applications, restart and reinstall.
Failed with error code 146
- Go to /Applications/Utilities/Adobe Sync/.
- Rename the CoreSync folder to CoreSync_1.
- Restart your device and reinstall the app installer.
Failed with error code 107
This error is because the Intel device is not compatible with the installer, please comment to let me know.
Premiere does not display when opened
Premiere will not have the Welcome screen when opened like other Adobe applications, but it will still display the menu at the top, use the menu to open or create a project and continue using.
Error: SyntaxError: JSON Parse error: Unexpected EOF (-2700)
Reinstall AntiCC before installing a new Adobe application.
We can’t verify your subscription status
This error is because you have patched it for another Adobe application. Please restore the hosts file and try installing again. After successfully logging in to Adobe applications, patch each application.
Cannot be opened because it is from an unidentified developer
Use Terminal to fix by typing xattr -cr (space) then drag and drop the file and Enter.
Lightroom problem (solution from member Maarten Joostens)
For anyone experiencing problems with Lightroom. This solved it for version 13.0.1. Haven’t tested it with the latest version:
- Run Install.pkg (right click and OPEN) and install Lightroom Classic.
- Launch Lightroom Classic, Pop-up window will lead you to apply and sign in to your Adobe ID, and start your trial. Effectively start 7 days Free trail by providing card details or logging into paypal.
- Turn off your wifi and Lightroom.
- Install Patch.pkg (right click and OPEN).
- Turn on your wifi and visit your Adobe ID website.
- End your 7 days Free trail and make sure eveything is cancelled.
- Launch Lightroom Classic.
Conclusion
Older versions of Adobe are no longer accessible, and the Adobe 2024 suite is no longer free in older macOS. Therefore, upgrading macOS from 13 (Ventura) or higher is mandatory. Lucid Gen wants to express our condolences to those who cannot upgrade macOS. If you upgrade macOS, uninstall Adobe first; otherwise, you may encounter errors with Adobe applications that cannot be resolved.
After successfully installing the entire MacBook Adobe suite and saving a lot of money, consider donating to Lucid Gen to develop and continue updating newer versions of Adobe.
If you encounter any problems during the installation process, please read each step in the article carefully, and don’t hesitate to leave a comment below the article. Please provide specific information such as Adobe application name, chip, and macOS to support you better. We wish you a successful installation!
But how to solve my problem with InDesign 17.4?
It is a white installation file. When I click it there is an error message: The file may be damaged. Tried xattr -cr trick, doesn’t work either.
Please advice.
Figured it out.
Thank you, everything works!
Hi,
Now I’m trying to install InDesign 17.4. It is a white installation file. When I click it there is an error message: The file may be damaged. Tried xattr -cr trick, doesn’t work either.
Please advice.
There is AntiCC 1.7.dmg inside the installation. Should I install it as well? I have CC installed already.
If you have installed Creative Cloud, you do not need to use AntiCC.
Hi! When I download the programs and I want to open them they keep asking for the keychain password. When I decline this there will immediately open another pop up with the same question.
Hello, please select always allow.
Password is needed to select “Always allow” even after Patch is installed for Lightroom. Where can we get the password or is there something wrong with the installation.
Hello, enter the password to open the Mac and click the Always allow button.
Hi,
I do not have any Zii file in the zip. Instead there was: Photoshop 23.5.2 PATCH. I have installed it. Is it ok? Can I safely open Photoshop now?
2022 version does not need Zii. Just follow the steps of 2022 introduction.
Also the password for AI 2022.zip doesn’t match. Could you please check?
Sorry for the last message. The pass works. My mistake.
By the way, Photoshop works fine. Thank you!!!
Could you point me to where the password can be found? Thank you!
Hi,
Should I install Creative Cloud first? If yes, where can I get it? I’m trying to install 2022 versions for M1.
Could you please give me the link?
Do I need any patch for creative cloud itself?
No, just disable auto update in it’s Preference
In creative cloud I switched off Always keep creative cloud up to date
and paused Syncing
Should I do something else?
Sorry for that many questions, just want to make it right.
I do not have Zii file in the zip. Instead I have Photoshop 23.5.2 PATCH. So I run it, and it was successfully installed. Is it all? Can I use Photoshop now?
Thank you!
Hi! Trying to install the Adobe Package says: “Failed to launch task: The file “Setup” doesn’t exist”. how can I solve this? Thanks.
Hello, can you provide me what is Adobe app you face this problem? (Name and version)
Please ensure that you have installed Creative Cloud before installing any Adobe app.
Hello,
I’m sorry but i dont have facebook and i don’t want to suscribe… Would be any possibility for you to share the link? Thks a lot
Yes, now you can download without Like my Facebook page. Reload the post and try again.
Please disregard this question. My brain was floating in the clouds!
Let me just say thank you so much!
So after getting enough sleep, I tried to understand the instructions again. I even watched the YouTube video even I don’t understand the language you are using and realized that the interphase is different because I am using M1. I followed some steps above to realize that I gotta skip that and go to M1 instructions. I recommend that you arrange the step by step *without other inserts* to help dumb people.
I got this error when opening the app:
DYLD, [0x2] Wrong architecture
I right click the app the get info and check the OPEN WITH ROSETA
All works perfectly
I follow all the steps and it worked with premiere pro and bridge, but when I complete the installation of lightroom and open it, it is asking if I want the free trial. When I click on ”no” the program shuts down.
Question: Can this be done later after my Adobe subscription expires? I currently have one to all of the software but Adobe is literally robbing people now of money. So I want to try your method after my official subscription expires. I just want to know if I need to do a clean install for this method to work or if I can still do this with Adobe CC and all the programs already running on my system.
I am running a Mac M1 Mini with Ventura 13.0
Hello,
You need to uninstall current Adobe app, clean cache data with CleanMyMac, restart your Mac and then try my method.
Sounds amazing.
So after having a successful reinstall of your method, what things would I need to be careful of? For example, would Adobe still try to “update” the software through their updates? I assume an “update” might break this method (just like how Apple updates can lock up a jailbroken iPhone)
Or as I believe you mentioned, to just add their updates once a year, right?
And if you do the updates once a year, does it mean the process has to be done all over again?
And have you had any problems with this method and adding extensions and plugins such as AEScripts, etc?
Of course, I assume any cloud-saving file methods would not be possible along with Adobe’s fonts?
I know. A lot of questions but thank you for taking your time to answer. 🙂