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Beth23082061er6k
Inspiring
September 17, 2026
Question

InDesign Refuses to Save to Server Sometime after MacOS 26.5.2 and 26. 6 updates.

  • September 17, 2026
  • 4 replies
  • 37 views

Our team recently upgraded to macOS Tahoe and Adobe CC 2026. Everyone was working fine until the OS updated on a couple computers. Users running Tahoe 26.1 thru 26.5.2 can save to the server fine. Users on Tahoe 26.6 and higher cannot. They receive this error when saving: “InDesign is unable to save this file. We tried, but it appears to be damaged.” This requires them to save the files to their desktops first and then pull them to the server which is really not efficient for our workflow.

  • Doesn’t matter if they are resaving an existing file or creating a new file to save to the server.
  • All users are connecting to the same server and same location on the server for testing purposes.
  • All computers have Full Disk access set for InDesign and we’ve tried resetting preferences, setting up new user accounts, and clearing InDesign cache files.
  • We updated to InDesign 21.5.1 and that didn’t help. 
  • We tested and we could break working computers by installing the updated OS.
  • We are connecting to our server via AFP, but we also tried SMB which appeared to save to the server, but we couldn’t open the resulting files. We received this error when trying to open them: “Cannot open the document. You may not have permission, or the document may be open already. For multi-user access close the file and then lock it using the File/Get Info command in the Finder.”  

I know Adobe doesn’t recommend server workflows, but it has always worked for us in the past and seems to be the way a large number of companies work, judging from other posts I’ve seen while trying to find a solution. Can something be done to fix this issue? Thanks!

    4 replies

    graphics_4075
    graphics_4075
    Inspiring
    September 17, 2026

    While I do not have an extensive knowledge on the ins-and-outs of servers, I suspect AFP may be your issue. I connect to an SMB Synology server and am able to save new and existing files just fine with no error. The fact that you received a different error regarding permissions rather than damaged files feels like a more controllable outcome.

     

    Aside from that, AFP servers have been deprecated since Sequioa 15.5 and starting with Golden Gate 27 will be completely removed. If you plan on continuing to update your machines you may want to consider the fleeting lifespan of AFP servers, they have been obsolete for a while now. 

    Cheers
    Beth23082061er6kAuthor
    Inspiring
    September 17, 2026

    Unfortunately we are stuck with this particular server for a while longer. We had planned to switch to using SMB when we updated to Tahoe, but in our testing it was HORRIBLY slow doing anything with the server. Not sure if that is due to the age of our server or SMB itself, but switching back to AFP got us speedier results for everything, except InDesign. Other than Acrobat, it is the only program having issues. Acrobat wants to operate in Protected Mode, which has also broken the ability to save to the server. For now we can turn that off, but it’s my understanding we won’t be able to in future releases. Hopefully a server upgrade is coming down the road and that SMB will be a bit quicker.

    graphics_4075
    graphics_4075
    Inspiring
    September 17, 2026

    It seems like this problem, or similar ones, have persisted for many years. Maybe take a look at these threads, there may be something enlightening. 

     

    There is also a UserVoice post regarding the error you have been receiving, I recommend upvoting it. For now, try saving your documents as an IDML just to see if that works. Have you ever tried saving the file again after receiving the error? Also try Save As, Save a Copy.. 

    https://indesign.uservoice.com/forums/601180-adobe-indesign-bugs/suggestions/41707354-error-on-save-indesign-is-unable-to-save-this-f

    Cheers
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