What Versions of Adobe Products Work on macOS Sequoia?

Upgrading to macOS Sequoia (version 15.x), released in late 2024, can bring new features and performance improvements to your Mac. However, ensuring compatibility with Adobe products is critical before upgrading, especially if you rely on Creative Cloud applications like adobe Photoshop, Premiere Pro, After Effects, Lightroom Classic, Lightroom (Desktop), Media Encoder, Audition, Character Animator, Acrobat Reader/Acrobat Pro, Adobe XD, adobe Illustrator for your work. Adobe has been actively testing and updating its software to support macOS Sequoia.

This article outlines the officially confirmed compatible versions of Adobe products based on information from Adobe’s official resources, along with user-reported experiences.

What You Need to Know Before Upgrading To MacOS Sequoia about adobe applications?

Why Compatibility Matters?

New macOS releases can introduce changes that affect applications stability, performance, or third-party plug-ins. Adobe recommends checking system requirements and testing workflows to avoid disruptions. Some older versions may not work, and certain features (e.g., tethering in Lightroom Classic) might require updates or workarounds.

Officially Confirmed Compatible Versions of adobe applications

Adobe provides detailed compatibility information on its official support pages. Below is a summary of Adobe products and their confirmed compatible versions with macOS Sequoia, based on the latest updates:

Adobe Photoshop

Compatible Version: Photoshop 26 (2025 release)
Details: The latest 2025 version is confirmed to work on macOS Sequoia. Older versions (e.g., 2024) may experience issues, such as crashes or permission prompts.
Check Photoshop System Requirements

Adobe Premiere Pro

Compatible Version: Premiere Pro 24.6.1 and later
Details: The 24.6.1 update addresses initial stability issues reported with Sequoia. Earlier versions (e.g., 24.6.0) may crash or require Full Disk Access permissions.
Check Premiere Pro System Requirements

Adobe After Effects

Compatible Version: After Effects 24.6.1 and later
Details: Similar to Premiere Pro, the 24.6.1 update resolves compatibility issues. Users may need to grant Full Disk Access for smooth operation.
Check After Effects System Requirements

Adobe Lightroom Classic

Compatible Version: Lightroom Classic 13.0 and later
Details: Version 13.0 is listed as compatible, with 13.5.1 and later fixing tethering issues (e.g., with Canon cameras) reported in the Sequoia 15.1 update. Print module crashes were also resolved.
Check Lightroom Classic System Requirements

Adobe Lightroom (Desktop)

Compatible Version: Lightroom Desktop 7.5 and later
Details: Compatible with Sequoia, but no tethering function is available (unlike Classic).
Check Lightroom System Requirements

Adobe Media Encoder

Compatible Version: Media Encoder 24.6.1 and later
Details: Requires the same Full Disk Access workaround as other video apps on Sequoia.
Check Media Encoder System Requirements

Adobe Audition

Compatible Version: Audition 24.6.1 and later
Details: Compatibility confirmed with the 24.6.1 update, addressing data access prompts.
Check Audition System Requirements

Adobe Character Animator

Compatible Version: Character Animator 24.6.1 and later
Details: Works with the latest update, requiring Full Disk Access permissions.
Check Character Animator System Requirements

Adobe Acrobat Reader/Acrobat Pro

Compatible Version: 24.003.20121 and later
Details: An out-of-cycle update on September 16, 2024, ensures compatibility with Sequoia.
Check Acrobat System Requirements

Adobe Adobe XD

Compatible Version: Latest update (continuously updated)
Details: Supports Sequoia, with a focus on recent macOS versions for performance.
Check Adobe XD System Requirements

Adobe Illustrator

Compatible Version: Illustrator 29 (2025 release)
Details: The 2025 version is compatible, while older versions may crash shortly after opening on Sequoia.
Check Illustrator System Requirements

User-Reported Experiences of adobe applications

Beyond official statements, users have shared insights on forums and communities, reflecting real-world compatibility:

Photoshop: Some users on macOS Sequoia 15.0 reported crashes with version 24.6.1, resolved by updating to 26 (2025). A clean install was suggested for stability.

Premiere Pro: Version 24.6.0 and 24.6.1 had major crashing issues on Sequoia, with users reverting to Sonoma until updates stabilized performance.

Lightroom Classic: Tethering freezes were common with Canon cameras on early Sequoia releases, fixed in 15.1. Older versions (e.g., 13.0) worked but with occasional duplicate file import glitches.

Illustrator: 2022 versions from unofficial sources (e.g., Cmacked) stopped working after one minute on Sequoia, indicating license or patch issues.

These reports suggest that while official updates resolve most issues, unofficial or older installs may face significant challenges.

Before You Upgrade

Backup Your Data: Use Time Machine or an external drive to create a full backup. Learn More About Backing Up
Check App Versions: Verify your Adobe apps are on the latest compatible versions via the Creative Cloud desktop app. Update Adobe Apps
Test in a Safe Environment: If possible, use a test Mac or virtual machine to ensure plug-ins and workflows (e.g., third-party effects in After Effects) function.
Grant Permissions: For video apps (Premiere Pro, After Effects), go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Full Disk Access and add the apps to avoid repeated permission prompts.
Monitor Updates: Adobe often releases patches post-launch (e.g., after Adobe Max in October 2024). Check Adobe Support Community for the latest fixes.

Limitations and Considerations

Older Versions: Pre-2024 versions (e.g., Photoshop 2023) are not officially supported and may fail on Sequoia.
Unofficial Installs: Pirated or patched versions (e.g., via Adobe Zii) have reported instability, with some users reverting to Sonoma.
Hardware: Macs with Apple silicon benefit from better performance, while Intel-based unsupported Macs may face additional compatibility hurdles.

Upgrade to macOS Sequoia only after updating all Adobe products to their latest compatible versions (e.g., 26 for Photoshop, 24.6.1 for Premiere Pro). Monitor user feedback and Adobe’s support pages for post-release patches, especially if you use niche features or peripherals.

For unsupported Macs running Sequoia via tools like OpenCore Legacy Patcher, Wi-Fi or app issues may compound Adobe compatibility problems, requiring further troubleshooting.

If you need help with a specific Adobe product or encounter issues post-upgrade, let me know, and I can guide you further!