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Eric3721277257xr
Participant
October 3, 2024

P: Eyedropper tool not working to pick color outside Photoshop

  • October 3, 2024
  • 28 replies
  • 4751 views

I have tried just about everything to get this to work. I am not sure when exactly it stopped working but I am guessing during one of the updates for some reason that got screwed up. It works on all my home computers and my work laptop but not my desktop. 

 

I have unistalled and reinstalled, tried less up to date versions, turned on and off the screen recording for photoshop in my settings, restarted my computer, none of it has solved the problem. This is so frustrating and I haven't found anyone else having this issue besides people that forget to turn the screen recording button as I mentioned.

 

Also I should mention with all my other Adobe products that fuction works just fine. If I am missing something here please let me know because I need a solution to this madness.

    28 replies

    W
    WhoCares1799
    Participant
    September 13, 2025

    The Solution!

    i don´t know why this changed a Year ago but here it is:


    # Enable Eye Dropper outside Photoshop on macOS

    EnableMacScreenColorSampling 1

     

    save this as a text file an copy it as PSUserConfig.txt in the Library

     

    /Users/[User Name]/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop [Version] Settings/

     

     

    also found here

    https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/kb/enable-optional-extensions-photoshop-cc.html?linkId=10000036810...

     

     

      C
      CATTUONG5CC8
      Participant
      February 10, 2026

      Thanks! This worked out for me. I was very frustrated when I had to update to new Photoshop and iOS that I couldn’t get eye drop to work even though I adjusted security permissions. The text file worked. Just for people who aren’t going directly to the folder using go to folder, Library folder is hidden so press Command + Shift + . (period) 

      davehutch
      davehutch
      Known Participant
      September 13, 2025

      Just checked and still working for me. Did you follow the instructions here?: https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/kb/enable-optional-extensions-photoshop-cc.html?linkId=100000368106502#enable-eye-dropper

      You need to have the eyedropper tool selected and then click on the forground colour-picker then, whilst holding 'Option', click somewhere on your image. Keep holding 'Option' key then move the cursor outside of the PS window to sample elsewhere.

        R
        reid_3125
        Known Participant
        September 13, 2025

        How did you fix this? I'm currently having the same exact problem. Please help

        S
        Simon329743443c30
        Participant
        August 15, 2025

        Same here. I'm using Photoshop Beta 26.11.0, the foreground or background (by holding option and sample) color updates while sampling, but when I click that color to open the color picker panel, it still shows a gray color.

        T
        TDC3000
        Inspiring
        June 23, 2025

        @Sameer K 

         

        Thank you for this helpful fix. Unfortunately, it displays some of the same problematic behavior from before the fix - I can sample the color outside of Photoshop, but the color picker either shows a gray color, or the foreground color appears to change, but when I brush with it, it brushes with the previous foreground color. I seems I have to resample from the foreground color chip for the sampled color to actually stick. Can this be looked at? Attaching screen shots that hopefully show what is happening and/or to allow you to replicate.

         

          B
          bonnie2266572497fs
          Participant
          June 15, 2025

          Hi All! While color sampling outside of the Photoshop application has been intentionally disabled, you can re-enable it via an optional extension, but it'll be tricky. 

          1 - Follow the steps here to create & save a PSConfig file to Enable eye dropper outside of Photoshop.

           

          Thanks!
          Sameer K

          (Type '@' and type my name to mention me when you reply)

          quote

           

           

          Where can I download PSUserConfig.txt file?

          W
          wireless200
          Known Participant
          June 14, 2025

          Thank you Sameer, but Adobe what are you thinking, I've been using PS for many years, the feature always worked and now had to spend the time to research this bug, a bit absurd for this mature product! 

            Jeff Arola
            Community Expert
            Jeff ArolaCommunity Expert
            Community Expert
            June 5, 2025

            Sameer K,

             

            Photoshop 2024 (ps ver 25.12.3) has the same issue as well on macOS Sequoia 15.5

             

            Is there a chance we can get a PSConfig file for Photoshop 2024 Enable Eye Dropper outside Photoshop on macOS?

              davehutch
              davehutch
              Known Participant
              June 4, 2025

              PSUserConfig.txt

              bellevue scott
              bellevue scott
              Inspiring
              June 4, 2025

              @Sameer K This is awesome. Silly question. It says to create a text file and add the lines you want to that text file. But what do you name the text file?

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