Fix Adobe Acrobat Crashing and Email Issues on macOS Mojave
Question details
The user experiences frequent crashes in Adobe Acrobat, particularly when launching the app or trying to send PDFs as email attachments via Outlook.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat XI / Acrobat Pro DC
- Device & OS
- macOS Mojave
- Scenario
- Launching the application or attempting to send a PDF document using the Outlook email integration.
- Observed behavior
- Acrobat crashes shortly after opening, or throws an error and fails to attach the PDF to an Outlook email.
Ensure you have saved and backed up any open PDF documents, and verify that both your macOS system and Microsoft Outlook app are updated to their latest versions.
Upgrade to a Supported Acrobat Version
Acrobat XI is officially out of support and incompatible with macOS Mojave, making an upgrade the most reliable fix.
Adobe has ended support for Acrobat XI, meaning no further compatibility updates or security patches are provided. Running legacy 32-bit software on newer macOS versions like Mojave directly causes startup crashes and broken integrations with apps like Outlook.
Log into your Adobe account on the official website or open the Adobe Creative Cloud desktop application to see if you have access to Acrobat Pro DC.
Use the Acrobat uninstaller tool to completely remove Adobe Acrobat XI from your Mac to prevent software conflicts.
Download and install the newest version of Adobe Acrobat, then launch it to verify stability on macOS Mojave.
Configure the Default Mail Application
If you are using a newer version like Acrobat Pro DC and still cannot send emails, macOS default mail client settings might be misconfigured.
Use WPS Office for a Stable PDF Experience on Mac
If your current PDF software continues to crash or slow down your Mac, WPS Office is a highly compatible, lightweight alternative. It offers a robust built-in PDF reader and editor that works seamlessly on macOS without legacy crashing issues.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install the free WPS Office suite for Mac.
- 2. Open PDF File: Launch WPS PDF and open the document you wish to share.
- 3. Send via Email: Click the 'Share' or 'Email' icon in the top toolbar to securely attach your PDF to your default mail client.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Adobe Acrobat XI crash immediately upon opening in macOS Mojave?
Acrobat XI is a 32-bit legacy application that Adobe no longer supports. macOS Mojave has limited support for 32-bit apps and introduced new system frameworks, causing older unsupported software to crash on launch.
Can I still use Adobe Acrobat XI on my Mac?
To run Acrobat XI stably, you would need to downgrade your macOS to an older version (like Sierra), which is highly discouraged due to severe security risks. Upgrading to a modern PDF editor is the safest solution.
How do I fix the 'cannot send PDF by email' error if I am already on Acrobat Pro DC?
Check if your Microsoft Outlook is set as the default mail reader in the Apple Mail preferences. Additionally, ensure both Acrobat DC and Outlook are updated to their latest versions, as outdated background plugins can sever the connection between the two apps.
Is there a free alternative to Adobe Acrobat for Mac users?
Yes, WPS Office provides a comprehensive PDF toolkit for Mac users. It allows you to read, annotate, edit, and email PDFs seamlessly without the heavy subscription costs, while maintaining full compatibility with Microsoft Office document formats.
