Fix Acrobat DC Installation Stalling at 12.5% on macOS Catalina
Question details
The user is unable to complete the Adobe Acrobat DC installation on macOS Catalina because the installer hangs at 12.5 percent.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat DC
- Device & OS
- macOS Catalina
- Scenario
- Installing or reinstalling Acrobat DC after upgrading the Mac to macOS Catalina.
- Observed behavior
- The installation process repeatedly stalls and freezes at exactly 12.5%, preventing the software from being installed successfully.
Ensure you have an active and stable internet connection, sufficient disk space, and administrator privileges on your Mac before attempting to reinstall the software.
Perform a Clean Installation of Acrobat DC
Removing incomplete installation files and running the official installer with admin privileges can resolve file conflict and permissions issues.
macOS Catalina introduced strict compatibility requirements and permission structures. Old or incomplete installer files from previous attempts can block the current installation at specific progress points, such as 12.5%.
Click the Apple menu and select 'Restart' to clear out any frozen background installer processes.
Navigate to the 'Applications' and 'Utilities' folders and delete any Adobe Acrobat folders or incomplete installer files by dragging them to the Trash.
Right-click the Trash icon in your Dock and select 'Empty Trash' to permanently delete the conflicting files.
Visit the official Adobe website and download the newest Acrobat DC or Creative Cloud installer confirmed to be compatible with macOS Catalina.
Right-click the downloaded installer, select 'Open', and enter your Mac administrator password when prompted to complete the installation.
Check Adobe Known Issues and Wait for Fixes
If the installation continues to fail due to unresolved macOS Catalina compatibility bugs, you may need to consult Adobe's official guidance or temporarily roll back your OS.
Edit and Manage PDFs Effortlessly with WPS Office
If Acrobat DC fails to install on your Mac, you can use the built-in PDF tools in WPS Office to read, edit, annotate, and convert your PDF files immediately without dealing with heavy installation errors.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Download and install the lightweight WPS Office suite for Mac from the official website.
- 2. Open the PDF Tool: Launch WPS Office and click on the 'PDF' tab on the main dashboard.
- 3. Import Your PDF: Click 'Open' to select and import the PDF document you need to view or edit.
- 4. Edit and Save: Use the top toolbar to highlight text, add comments, edit document text directly, or convert the file to other formats.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Adobe Acrobat get stuck at 12.5% on macOS Catalina?
This specific stall usually occurs due to permission errors, corrupt temporary installation files, or compatibility issues with background services that are handled differently in macOS 10.15 Catalina.
How can I remove incomplete Adobe installation files on my Mac?
Open Finder, go to your 'Applications' and 'Utilities' folders, locate any Adobe Acrobat-related folders, and move them to the Trash. Ensure you empty the Trash and restart your Mac before attempting a new installation.
Does macOS Catalina support older versions of Adobe Acrobat?
No. macOS Catalina dropped all support for 32-bit applications. If you are trying to install an older, 32-bit version of Acrobat, the installation will fail. You must use the latest 64-bit version.
Are there reliable alternatives to Acrobat for editing PDFs on Mac?
Yes. Lightweight and comprehensive office suites like WPS Office offer built-in PDF viewing and editing capabilities, allowing you to annotate, edit text, and convert PDFs smoothly on macOS.
