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wgullo
wgullo
Inspiring
May 27, 2025
Question

Confused about CC Icons in Menu Bar and Dock - MAC-OS

  • May 27, 2025
  • 1 reply
  • 653 views

I've been using Adobe products for years. Most of of the time, when I launch PS or AI, the CC icon appears on the top Mac Menu Bar and my apps open just fine.  

 

But, lately, the CC icon sometimes appears on my dock, as active. So, when I remove it, the Menu Bar CC icon disappears as well.  I need to sign-in all over again to use AI and PS.

 

At the moment I don't see the CC icon on the Finder's top menu bar, nor is there a CC icon present on the dock. Yet... my AI docs open just fine, make edits, save.

 

I truely have never understood any of this, and why the whole thing is not more of a background function that checks current subscription status without user intervention, and allows the user to proceed. 

 

I only use CC because it is the required gateway to use my apps. I don't upload/download files or use any Adobe supplemental products/services.

 

How do I use my Adobe apps without jumping through hoops. What am I getting wrong?  Thanks.

1 reply

David__B
Adobe Employee
David__B
Adobe Employee
May 27, 2025

Hi @wgullo

I'm not 100% sure if I'm seeing the same thing as you but I'll share what I know in case it helps. So when you launch an app you typically get the name of the app in the top left next to the Apple icon (App file menu) and an icon in the dock with a dot underneath it denoting that it is open. You can create icons in the dock that are persistent and stay in the dock as an alternate way to launch them (alias aka shortcut). Clicking on a dock icon makes them bounce up and down a few times, then stops with a dot underneath to denote the app is open. Outside of that, there is the menu bar in the top right. These are tiny single-colored icons for app status updates from certain apps, including some of the native ones included with a Mac (Wifi, battery level, VPN, etc.) Adobe only has the Creative Cloud desktop app in that section as it is the App manager and can provide notifications. I think those are the main ones but you may be able to customize your Mac in other ways that I haven't used.


I hope that is helpful, but if not, maybe share some screenshots of what you see, and I'll see if I can help further.

Best,
Dave

wgullo
wgulloAuthor
Inspiring
May 28, 2025

Hi Dave,

 

Thanks for the response.

 

I'm accustomed to the little icon in the upper right Menu Bar, but not simultaneously in the Dock, too. So, when I close the icon on the Dock, the icon on the Menu Bar then goes away... and I have to log in to CC again to use apps.

 

I have never encountered the Dock icon until these past weeks. I have not upgraded my apps or OS, and my preferences always remain... no automatic updates.  

 

The issue is not persistent, but random.

 

I swear... AI gremlins are infiltrating our lives and creating havoc because they find it amusing.  🙂 

Tarun Saini
Community Manager
Tarun SainiCommunity Manager
Community Manager
May 28, 2025

Hi 

@wgullo

,

Thanks for the detailed explanation. Have you tried restarting the device to check if that helps? Also, please ensure you're using the updated version of the operating system.

 

Regards,

Tarun

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