Fix Acrobat Pro Not Launching After macOS Catalina Update
Question details
Adobe Acrobat Pro fails to launch, update, or uninstall via Creative Cloud after upgrading the system to macOS Catalina.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Pro
- Device & OS
- macOS Catalina
- Scenario
- Attempting to open, manage, or uninstall Acrobat Pro after a macOS Catalina system update.
- Observed behavior
- The application crashes or refuses to open. It also cannot be updated or uninstalled properly through the Creative Cloud desktop application.
Before making any changes or uninstalling applications, back up your Adobe Bridge catalogs, preferences, and metadata to prevent accidental data loss during the troubleshooting process.
Verify Version Compatibility and Use Adobe Cleaner Tool
Check if your installed version of Acrobat Pro is a 32-bit application, which is incompatible with macOS Catalina, and properly remove it.
macOS Catalina dropped support for all 32-bit applications. Older versions of Acrobat Pro (such as version 10.1.6 or those bundled with CS5) are 32-bit and will no longer run, nor can they be managed properly by current versions of Creative Cloud.
Open Finder, navigate to your Applications folder, locate the Adobe Acrobat Pro app icon, right-click it, and select 'Get Info'. Check the version number.
If the version is outdated, download the official Adobe Creative Cloud Cleaner Tool for Mac from the Adobe website, since standard uninstallation will fail.
Run the Cleaner Tool and carefully select only the affected Acrobat components to remove, ensuring you do not accidentally wipe other Adobe apps or Bridge settings.
Once cleaned, use the Creative Cloud desktop application to install the latest 64-bit release of Acrobat DC, which is fully compatible with macOS Catalina.
Disable the On-Screen Keyboard Viewer
Turn off macOS accessibility features that occasionally interfere with Adobe applications launching.
Edit and View PDFs Seamlessly with WPS Office on macOS
If your older version of Acrobat Pro is incompatible with macOS Catalina, you can use WPS Office to view, edit, annotate, and manage your PDF files natively on your Mac without dealing with complex uninstallation steps or compatibility issues.
- 1. Install WPS Office for Mac: Download the macOS version of WPS Office from the official website and install it on your device.
- 2. Open the PDF tools: Launch WPS Office and click on the 'PDF' tab from the main workspace to access the dedicated PDF reader and editor.
- 3. Load your document: Click 'Open' and browse your Mac's storage to select the PDF file you previously managed with Acrobat Pro.
- 4. Edit and save: Use the top toolbar to modify text, highlight sections, add signatures, and seamlessly save your changes in standard PDF format.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does macOS Catalina block my version of Acrobat Pro from opening?
Starting with macOS Catalina (10.15), Apple completely removed support for 32-bit applications. Older versions of Adobe Acrobat Pro, such as version 10 or those included with Creative Suite 5, are 32-bit and simply cannot be executed by the operating system.
Will using the Adobe Cleaner Tool delete my Adobe Bridge files?
If you use the Cleaner Tool carefully and only select the specific Acrobat Pro components for removal, your Adobe Bridge catalogs and metadata will remain intact. However, it is always recommended to back up your Bridge preferences before performing cleanups.
How do I find out what version of Acrobat I have if it won't open?
You can check the application version directly from the macOS Finder. Go to your Applications folder, locate the Acrobat Pro app, right-click it, and choose 'Get Info'. The version number will be listed under the General section.
