Fix SafariNotification Error When Installing Acrobat XI Pro on Mac
Question details
The user is unable to complete the installation of Adobe Acrobat XI Pro because the installer continuously prompts them to close 'SafariNotification', even when Safari is visibly closed.

- Product
- Adobe Acrobat XI Pro
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- Installing or updating Adobe Acrobat XI Pro on macOS.
- Observed behavior
- The installation process halts and displays an error message stating that 'SafariNotification' must be closed, preventing the setup from proceeding.
Make sure you have saved any open work and completely quit the Safari browser before attempting to clear background processes.
Restart Your Mac to Clear Background Processes
Performing a system restart is the easiest way to clear persistent background processes like SafariNotification without using advanced system tools.
Often, background processes linked to a browser will remain active in the system memory even after the main application window is closed. A restart guarantees a clean slate for the installer.
Click the Apple menu at the top-left corner of your screen and select 'Restart' from the drop-down menu.
When prompted, uncheck the box that says 'Reopen windows when logging back in' and wait for the Mac to reboot.
Do not open Safari upon startup. Launch the Adobe Acrobat XI Pro installer immediately to proceed without the error.

Force Quit SafariNotification via Activity Monitor
Use macOS Activity Monitor to manually target and terminate the SafariNotification daemon if restarting your Mac is not an option.
Try WPS Office for a Hassle-Free PDF Experience
If you are encountering persistent installation bugs with legacy PDF software, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a robust, built-in PDF toolkit that is lightweight, simple to install, and entirely free to try.
- 1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the Mac installer package.
- 2. Install the application: Run the installer, which sets up the suite quickly without interfering with background macOS services like SafariNotification.
- 3. Edit your PDFs: Launch WPS Office and open your PDF documents to start viewing, annotating, or editing instantly.

Frequently Asked Questions
Why does SafariNotification stay active when Safari is closed?
SafariNotification is a macOS background daemon designed to manage web push notifications. It intentionally remains active even when the main Safari browser window is closed so you can continue receiving alerts, which is why software installers still detect it as running.
Can I disable Safari notifications permanently during installations?
Yes, you can temporarily disable notifications by navigating to System Settings > Notifications and turning off alerts for Safari. However, using Activity Monitor to manually force quit the specific process is generally faster for bypassing installation errors.
Is Adobe Acrobat XI Pro still supported on newer Mac versions?
No, Adobe Acrobat XI Pro reached its official end of support in October 2017. It may struggle to install or function correctly on newer macOS versions. Users are encouraged to utilize modern PDF editors to ensure compatibility and security.




