Fix Adobe Acrobat CC Installation Error on macOS High Sierra
Question details
The user is unable to run or install Adobe Acrobat CC due to an OS incompatibility warning after reinstalling macOS High Sierra.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat CC
- Device & OS
- macOS High Sierra 10.13.6
- Scenario
- Attempting to launch or install Adobe Acrobat CC from the Creative Cloud desktop app after a clean installation or rollback of the macOS system.
- Observed behavior
- Creative Cloud displays a warning message stating that Adobe Acrobat may not work with this version of macOS and might need to be reinstalled.
Before proceeding, verify the exact hardware year of your Mac Pro to determine your maximum supported macOS, and ensure that your Creative Cloud desktop app is updated to the latest version.
Install a Compatible Legacy Version of Acrobat
Since the newest versions of Adobe Acrobat CC no longer support macOS High Sierra, you need to install an older, compatible release through the Creative Cloud app.
Adobe continually updates its minimum system requirements. macOS 10.13.6 is no longer supported by the latest Acrobat continuous track releases. Installing a legacy version (like Acrobat 2020) will bypass the compatibility warning and provide a stable application.
Launch the Adobe Creative Cloud desktop application on your Mac Pro.
Scroll down to 'Adobe Acrobat' in the 'All Apps' section.
Click the three-dot menu icon (...) next to the Open or Install button and select 'Other versions' from the drop-down menu.
Locate an older version that officially supports macOS 10.13 (such as Acrobat 2020 or an early CC build) and click 'Install'.
Upgrade Your Mac to a Newer macOS Version
If your Mac Pro hardware supports it, upgrading your operating system to macOS Mojave (10.14) or newer will allow you to install the latest Acrobat CC updates natively.
Easily View and Edit PDFs on Mac with WPS Office
If Adobe Acrobat is incompatible with your current macOS version, WPS Office provides a lightweight, robust PDF editor that runs seamlessly on Mac to help you read, annotate, edit, and convert PDF documents without compatibility warnings.
- 1. Download WPS Office for Mac: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the macOS installation package.
- 2. Open the PDF Editor: Launch WPS Office on your Mac and click on the 'PDF' tab located on the home workspace.
- 3. Edit Your Document: Open your PDF file to instantly access reading, annotation, conversion, and editing tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Creative Cloud say Adobe Acrobat needs to be reinstalled?
This warning appears when the installed version of Acrobat detects that your current macOS version lacks the required system frameworks to run properly. This is common if you have downgraded or reinstalled an older OS like High Sierra.
How do I find older versions of Acrobat in Creative Cloud?
Open the Creative Cloud desktop app, go to the 'All Apps' tab, locate Adobe Acrobat, click the three-dot menu icon next to it, and choose 'Other versions' to see and install available older releases.
Will Acrobat 2020 work on macOS High Sierra?
Yes, Adobe Acrobat 2020 is officially supported on macOS 10.13 (High Sierra) and 10.14 (Mojave). However, the newest continuous track versions of Acrobat CC strictly require macOS 10.15 (Catalina) or later.
Can I force the latest Acrobat version to install on High Sierra?
No, the Creative Cloud desktop application actively checks your macOS version and will block the installation of software that requires an operating system newer than what you currently have installed.
