Dear Adobe Support Team, I hope you're doing well. I’m reaching out to report a performance issue with Adobe Illustrator 2025 on my new Apple Mac mini (M4). Despite the hardware capabilities, I’m experiencing frequent lag while working—particularly with large files, during zooming/panning, and while using tools like the Pen Tool and Effects. Here are the system details for your reference: Device: Apple Mac mini (M4 chip) macOS Version: macOS Sequoia 15.5 Adobe Illustrator Version: 2025 RAM: 16 GB Storage: 256 GB I’ve already tried some basic troubleshooting such as clearing preferences, restarting the system, and ensuring the app is updated to the latest version. However, the issue still persists. Could you please advise on any settings optimizations, patches, or known compatibility concerns with the M4 chip? Your guidance will be appreciated. Thank you in advance. Best regards,Miheer Moghe[personal info removed by moderator]

Participant

Question

Performance Issue with Adobe Illustrator on macOS

Forum|Forum|9 months ago
June 23, 2025
4 replies
793 views

Dear Adobe Support Team,

I hope you're doing well.

I’m reaching out to report a performance issue with Adobe Illustrator 2025 on my new Apple Mac mini (M4). Despite the hardware capabilities, I’m experiencing frequent lag while working—particularly with large files, during zooming/panning, and while using tools like the Pen Tool and Effects.

Here are the system details for your reference:

Device: Apple Mac mini (M4 chip)
macOS Version: macOS Sequoia 15.5
Adobe Illustrator Version: 2025
RAM: 16 GB
Storage: 256 GB

I’ve already tried some basic troubleshooting such as clearing preferences, restarting the system, and ensuring the app is updated to the latest version. However, the issue still persists.

Could you please advise on any settings optimizations, patches, or known compatibility concerns with the M4 chip? Your guidance will be appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

Best regards,
Miheer Moghe
[personal info removed by moderator]

Performance

OkayJeffrey

Participant

I am also experiencing similar issues.

M4 Mac Mini / 24GB ram / Tahoe 26.3.1 — Adobe Illustrator 30.2.1

When I drag an element it lags for a couple seconds then catches up. Other actions also seem to be a little laggy. The moving elements is the most noticeable and frustrating.

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Also don’t know if its related but EVERYTIME I open Illustrator I get this pop-up as well. Makes me think some preferences aren’t getting set or something.

Anubhav M

Community Manager

Hello @OkayJeffrey

I’m sorry to hear you’re having similar issues with Illustrator. Would you mind trying the suggestions shared in this help article (https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/kb/optimize-illustrator-performance.html) and let us know if they help?

Also, try enabling Full Disk Access for Illustrator in macOS privacy settings, and share your observations.

Looking forward to hearing from you.
Anubhav

OkayJeffrey

Participant

Okay got the pop-up to stop by resetting Full Disk Access
BUT

The generic page on how to improve performance in Illustrator did not help. This is a brand new machine spec almost to the Macbook Pro I have. So why does just this Mac Mini have this delay/lag issue. I also have more RAM than the original poster.

D

dariofisher

Participant

Im having similar issues. Theres a notable delay when clicking/moving objects or panes in illustrator, and it freezes forup to 10 seconds when moving placed images. It's almost unusably slow and lagging (brand new mac mini M4 with Adobe illustrator installed as new last werk). It ran much more smoothly on my 2013 imac!

Anubhav M

Community Manager

Hello @dariofisher,

That does seem odd. Would you mind confirming the exact version of the OS/Illustrator installed, as well as whether you're using a mouse or a tablet/pointing device, so we can better assist you? Also, try the suggestions shared in this help article (https://adobe.ly/4oFOXLk) and share your observations.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Anubhav

J

Johannah1

Participant

I am having trouble with Adobe Illustrator too. I have the same Apple Mac mini, Mac OS version, etc. as everything that Thoughtpool has. When I use Illustrator, it tells me that it does not have certain fonts, even though I can see them in the right hand menu. Also, I can not bring down the ruler guides, either horizontal or vertical. They disappear when I let go of the mouse. There is no information anywhere on this....I already know how to make or hide the rulers. This is a M4 chip problem, people. I need the guides. PLease address the situation, Adobe.

J

Johannah1

Participant

I discovered the problem!!! When I installed Illustrator on my new Mac mini , several things changed in their default settings. Guides is one of them: they were locked by default. I have never locked my ruler guides in ten years of using Illustrator, so this was a new thing for me.

Anubhav M

Community Manager

Hello @Thoughtpool,

Could you try running Illustrator under Safe Mode (macOS) and under a a different administrator account (macOS) and checking if it helps?
Also, try the suggestions shared in this help article (https://adobe.ly/4kV3h0Z), and share your observations.

Looking forward to hearing from you.
Anubhav

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