Fix Acrobat 9 Pro Not Opening PDFs on macOS 10.12
Question details
The user is unable to open PDF files using Adobe Acrobat 9 Pro on an iMac.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat 9 Pro
- Device & OS
- macOS 10.12.6
- Scenario
- Attempting to open PDF documents after a sudden system power failure.
- Observed behavior
- Acrobat 9 Pro fails to open any PDF files and is unresponsive.
Verify that your Mac is completely updated and restart your computer to ensure the opening failure isn't caused by temporary cache glitches resulting from the recent power failure.
Upgrade to a Supported PDF Reader
Since Adobe Acrobat 9 Pro is obsolete and incompatible with macOS 10.12, upgrading to a modern PDF reader is the most reliable long-term fix.
Adobe Acrobat 9 Pro is an older software version that is no longer officially supported by Adobe. It lacks architectural compatibility with newer Apple operating systems like macOS 10.12 (Sierra).
Power failures can sometimes corrupt older, unstable software files, making them permanently inoperable. Reinstalling obsolete software usually will not resolve the underlying OS incompatibility.
Open your Applications folder in Finder, locate Adobe Acrobat 9 Pro, and drag it to the Trash. Right-click the Trash icon and select 'Empty Trash' to remove the outdated application.
Select a current, supported PDF application such as WPS Office, Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, or use the built-in macOS Preview app.
Download and install your chosen PDF reader. Right-click any PDF file, select 'Get Info', change the 'Open with' dropdown to your newly installed reader, and click 'Change All'.
Use Built-in macOS Preview
If you need immediate access to your PDF files without installing new software, use the native macOS Preview application.
Open and Edit PDFs Seamlessly with WPS Office
Avoid compatibility issues caused by outdated software. WPS Office provides a modern, lightweight, and highly compatible PDF reader and editor that works perfectly on macOS.
- 1. Download WPS Office for Mac: Visit the official WPS website and download the macOS installation package.
- 2. Install the Application: Open the downloaded .dmg file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
- 3. Set as Default PDF Reader: Right-click any PDF, select 'Get Info', choose WPS Office under the 'Open with' section, and click 'Change All'.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run Adobe Acrobat 9 Pro in compatibility mode on macOS 10.12?
No, macOS does not have a native compatibility mode for running obsolete legacy apps in the same way Windows does. Upgrading to a newer application is required for stability on macOS Sierra.
Why did Acrobat 9 stop working right after a power failure?
A power failure can abruptly terminate processes, leading to corrupted system caches or preference files. Because Acrobat 9 Pro is already unstable on macOS 10.12, the system struggles to correctly rebuild these corrupted files upon restart.
How can I recover my PDF files if Acrobat won't open?
Your PDF files are not locked inside the Acrobat application; they are safely stored on your Mac's hard drive. You can open them immediately using the built-in Preview app or by installing a modern alternative like WPS Office.
Is there a free alternative to Adobe Acrobat for Mac?
Yes, macOS comes with a pre-installed application called Preview that opens PDFs for free. For more advanced editing features, third-party software like WPS Office offers free, comprehensive PDF reading and modification tools.
