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Fix Adobe Fill and Sign Not Saving Changes on macOS High Sierra
Question details
The user needs to resolve an issue where the Adobe Fill and Sign feature fails to save changes, freezes, and forces a manual app quit.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat / Reader DC
- Device & OS
- macOS High Sierra
- Scenario
- Filling out and applying a signature to a PDF document using the Fill and Sign tool.
- Observed behavior
- The application becomes entirely unresponsive during the saving process, preventing the changes from being saved and requiring the user to force quit the program.
Ensure your Mac is connected to the internet to download any necessary software updates, and create a backup copy of your original PDF file before proceeding.
Temporarily Disable Protected Mode
Turning off the sandbox security feature can help identify if Protected Mode is causing the application to freeze when saving on macOS.
Protected Mode is designed to provide an extra layer of security by running files in a restricted sandbox. However, on older operating systems like macOS High Sierra, it can sometimes conflict with the Fill and Sign saving process.
Launch Adobe Acrobat or Reader DC, click on 'Preferences' in the top menu, and navigate to the 'Security (Enhanced)' tab.
Under the Sandbox Protections section, uncheck the box next to 'Enable Protected Mode at startup'.
Restart the Adobe application, open your PDF, and attempt to use the Fill and Sign tool again.
Update or Repair Your Adobe Installation
Outdated or corrupted application files are common culprits for software freezing and crashing during save operations.
Use Adobe Acrobat Online Fill and Sign
If the desktop application continues to be unresponsive, you can bypass the local software entirely by using Adobe's web-based signing tool.
Use WPS Office to Fill and Sign PDFs Smoothly on Mac
If your current PDF reader continues to freeze on macOS High Sierra, WPS Office provides a stable, built-in PDF editor that lets you easily fill forms and add signatures without crashing.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install the free WPS Office application for Mac.
- 2. Open Your PDF: Launch WPS Office, click on 'Open', and select the PDF document you want to sign.
- 3. Access the Fill & Sign Tool: Navigate to the 'Fill & Sign' tab located in the top PDF editing toolbar.
- 4. Apply Your Signature: Type your information into the required fields or insert your saved digital signature, then click 'Save' to finalize the document.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my PDF reader freeze when trying to save a signed document on Mac?
Freezing during the save process is often caused by compatibility issues with older macOS versions like High Sierra, corrupted application files, or conflicts with built-in sandbox security settings such as Protected Mode.
How do I force quit an unresponsive application on macOS High Sierra?
Press the Option, Command, and Escape (Esc) keys simultaneously to open the Force Quit window. Select the unresponsive application from the list and click 'Force Quit'.
Is it safe to leave Protected Mode disabled in Adobe?
No, it is not recommended to leave Protected Mode permanently disabled as it exposes your system to potential security risks from malicious PDF files. Only disable it temporarily for troubleshooting purposes.
