Skip to main content
Anja
Participant
Jul 16, 2026 7:03 AM UTC
Answered

Existing images disappear in Preview Mode after macOS 26.5.2 update

InDesign 21.4.1 on macOS 26.5.2 

Environment

  • Adobe InDesign 21.4.1
  • macOS 26.5.2 (Tahoe)
  • Apple Silicon Mac
  • GPU Performance disabled

Problem

After updating macOS to version 26.5.2, some existing InDesign documents no longer display placed images in Preview Mode (Shift+W).

The issue started immediately after the macOS update. Before the update, the same documents displayed correctly.

 

Expected Result

Placed images should be displayed identically in both Normal Display and Preview Mode (Shift+W).

 

Actual Result

In some existing documents:

  • placed PSD/JPG images disappear in Preview Mode (Shift+W)
  • the same images are visible in Normal Display
  • page thumbnails display the images correctly
  • the Links panel reports all links as valid (no missing or modified links)

 

Additional observations

  • The linked PSD files open normally in Photoshop.
  • The linked files are stored locally on the internal SSD.
  • Newly created InDesign documents work correctly.
  • The same PSD and JPG files, when placed into a new document, are displayed correctly in Preview Mode.
  • Only some existing documents are affected.
  • Not all existing documents show this behaviour.

 

Troubleshooting already performed

  • Deleted InDesign cache
  • Reset InDesign preferences
  • GPU Performance disabled
  • Saved and reopened as IDML
  • Verified all links
  • Verified PSD files in Photoshop
  • Restarted macOS
  • Tested different Display Performance settings
  • Cleared object-specific display settings

None of these steps resolved the issue.

 

Additional issue

The affected documents also cannot be packaged successfully.

Package reports:

"Necessary linked files could not be copied."

However, the Links panel reports all links as valid.

A newly created document using the exact same linked images packages successfully.

 

Request

Could this be a rendering or document compatibility issue introduced after macOS 26.5.2?

    AnjaCorrect answer
    Participant
    Jul 17, 2026 7:34 AM UTC

    Thanks for your advice.

    Interestingly, the problem solved itself overnight. I honestly don't know why. I'm not sure whether one of my earlier troubleshooting steps only took effect after some time, or whether something else changed in the meantime. A friend mentioned that she has occasionally experienced strange InDesign issues that seemed to disappear after a restart or overnight, so maybe that's what happened here.

    However, your suggestion solved another issue I had: Packaging now works correctly again. So thank you for that!

    I'm the only graphic designer at my company and only recently started this job, so I'm currently working with files and assets from different locations. We're planning to set up a proper shared file structure in the near future, which should hopefully make things more reliable as well.

    Thanks again for taking the time to help!

    View reply

    4 replies

    Mike Witherell
    Community Expert
    Mike WitherellCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    Jul 16, 2026 2:23 PM UTC

    Hi Anja,

    Apple menu > System Settings > Privacy & Security > Full Disk Access

    Is InDesign in there and turned ON?

    Translate
    Mike Witherell
      AnjaAuthor
      Participant
      Jul 17, 2026 7:36 AM UTC

      Thanks for your advice!

       

       

      Translate
      Anubhav M
      Community Manager
      Anubhav MCommunity Manager
      Community Manager
      Jul 16, 2026 10:54 AM UTC

      Hello @Anja,

      I'm sorry to hear about your experience. Could you try enabling Full Disk Access (https://adobe.ly/4w86BeM) for InDesign, then relaunch the app to see if it helps?

      If the problem persists, try running InDesign under a different administrator account (macOS) and share your observations.

      Looking forward to hearing from you.

      Anubhav

      Translate
        AnjaAuthorCorrect answer
        Participant
        Jul 17, 2026 7:34 AM UTC

        Thanks for your advice.

        Interestingly, the problem solved itself overnight. I honestly don't know why. I'm not sure whether one of my earlier troubleshooting steps only took effect after some time, or whether something else changed in the meantime. A friend mentioned that she has occasionally experienced strange InDesign issues that seemed to disappear after a restart or overnight, so maybe that's what happened here.

        However, your suggestion solved another issue I had: Packaging now works correctly again. So thank you for that!

        I'm the only graphic designer at my company and only recently started this job, so I'm currently working with files and assets from different locations. We're planning to set up a proper shared file structure in the near future, which should hopefully make things more reliable as well.

        Thanks again for taking the time to help!

        Translate
        Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
        Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices