How to Use Adobe Acrobat DC on a Mac with an Apple M1 Chip
Question details
The user needs to know how to properly run, configure, or troubleshoot Adobe Acrobat DC on a Mac equipped with an Apple M1 (Apple Silicon) processor.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat DC
- Device & OS
- macOS (Apple M1)
- Scenario
- Installing or running Acrobat DC on newer Mac architectures and handling potential plugin or performance errors.
- Observed behavior
- Depending on the version, Acrobat may fail to load certain features, require Rosetta 2 translation, or experience errors if not properly configured for native Apple Silicon.
Verify your Mac's processor type by clicking the Apple menu and selecting 'About This Mac' to confirm it uses an Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3) chip, and ensure your macOS is updated to the latest version.
Update Acrobat and Enable Native Apple Silicon Mode
Ensure you have the latest version of Acrobat DC, which supports native Apple Silicon, delivering much better performance and battery efficiency.
Running Acrobat natively utilizes the full potential of your Apple M1 chip without needing background translation. Adobe has rolled out native support, but you must be on an updated release.
Launch the Acrobat DC application from your Launchpad or Applications folder.
Navigate to the top menu bar, click on 'Help', and select 'Check for Updates'. Follow the on-screen prompts to install the latest patches.
Go to 'Acrobat' > 'Preferences' > 'General'. Look for the option labeled 'Enable native OS mode for optimal performance' and check the box.
Completely quit Adobe Acrobat DC and open it again to apply the native architecture changes.
Run Acrobat DC using Rosetta 2 Compatibility
If specific legacy features, scanners, or third-party plugins fail in native mode, forcing Acrobat to run through Rosetta 2 can instantly resolve the compatibility issue.
Edit PDFs Seamlessly with WPS Office on Mac M1
If you are struggling with Adobe Acrobat compatibility or high subscription costs, WPS Office provides a lightweight, fully functional PDF reader and editor that runs natively and flawlessly on Apple Silicon Macs.
- 1. Download for Mac: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the dedicated Mac version designed for Apple Silicon.
- 2. Install the Application: Open the downloaded disk image and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
- 3. Set as Default PDF Reader: Right-click any PDF file, select 'Get Info', choose WPS Office from the 'Open with' dropdown, and click 'Change All'.
- 4. Edit and Convert Natively: Double-click your PDF to open it in WPS Office, where you can immediately use the native editing and annotation tools without any Rosetta 2 translation delays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Adobe Acrobat DC run natively on Apple M1 Macs?
Yes, recent updates to Adobe Acrobat DC include native support for Apple Silicon processors. You need to ensure your software is fully updated via the Help > Check for Updates menu to utilize native performance.
What should I do if my Acrobat plugins stop working on an M1 Mac?
Many older third-party plugins are only built for Intel processors. You can fix this by right-clicking the Acrobat app in Finder, selecting 'Get Info', and checking 'Open using Rosetta' to force the app into emulation mode.
Do I need to manually download Rosetta 2 to use older PDF tools?
No. If you attempt to open an Intel-based application or feature that requires Rosetta 2 on an M1 Mac, macOS will automatically prompt you to install it if it isn't already present on your system.
