How to Use Adobe Acrobat on Both Mac and Windows Computers
Question details
The user wants to know if an Adobe Acrobat license purchased for a Mac can be used on a Windows computer in the same household without buying a second product.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- Mac and Windows
- Scenario
- Sharing a single PDF software license across two different operating systems in the same household.
- Observed behavior
- The user aims to activate and use Adobe Acrobat on a Windows PC using their existing Mac license without incurring additional software costs.
Determine the exact Adobe Acrobat product you purchased. Monthly or yearly subscriptions (like Acrobat Pro) have different cross-platform usage rights compared to one-time, perpetual licenses (like Acrobat 2020).
Verify your subscription and sign in on the second device
If you have an Adobe Acrobat subscription, you are allowed to install the software on multiple computers and activate it on up to two devices, regardless of the operating system.
Adobe Creative Cloud subscriptions are tied to your Adobe ID rather than a specific operating system. This allows you to use your Acrobat license seamlessly across both Mac and Windows environments.
Log in to your Adobe account online and navigate to your Plans to confirm you have an active Acrobat subscription rather than a single-OS standalone product.
On your Windows computer, navigate to the official Adobe website, locate your Acrobat product, and click the download button for the Windows installer.
Launch the installed Acrobat application on your Windows PC and sign in using the exact same Adobe ID and password you use on your Mac.
Request a platform swap for a perpetual license
If you purchased a one-time perpetual license, it is traditionally locked to either Mac or Windows. You will need to contact Adobe to switch platforms.
Edit PDFs seamlessly across Mac and Windows with WPS Office
Avoid the hassle of platform-locked licenses and strict activation limits. With a single WPS Office account, you can access powerful PDF editing tools on Windows, Mac, Linux, and mobile devices effortlessly.
- 1. Download the software: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the installer tailored for your current operating system (Mac or Windows).
- 2. Sign in to your account: Open WPS Office and log in using your email, Google, or Apple account to synchronize your profile across devices.
- 3. Open your PDF file: Click on 'Open' in the main dashboard or use the 'PDF Edit' tab to open the document you wish to modify.
- 4. Edit across devices: Make your edits, save your document to the WPS Cloud, and instantly pick up where you left off on your other computer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I install Adobe Acrobat on more than two computers?
Yes, you can install the Adobe Acrobat software on as many computers as you like. However, a standard individual subscription only allows you to be actively signed in and authenticated on up to two devices at any given time.
What happens if I sign into a third computer with my Adobe Acrobat account?
If you attempt to sign in to a third device, Adobe will prompt you with an 'Activation Limit Reached' message. You will be given the option to remotely sign out of one of your previously activated computers to free up a slot for the new device.
Is an Acrobat 2020 serial number valid for both Mac and Windows?
No. Perpetual licenses such as Adobe Acrobat 2020 are traditionally platform-specific. A serial number purchased specifically for a Mac cannot be used to activate the software on a Windows computer.
