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December 19, 2017
Answered

Adobe Updater for CS4 not working Mac High Sierra

  • December 19, 2017
  • 3 replies
  • 2242 views

Adobe Updater for CS4 is not working on Mac with High Sierra.  Not able to use any of the CS4 Suite. 

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Correct answer Barb Binder

Hi Nancy:

CS4 was released in 2008 and was compatible withOS 10.4.11–10.5.4 (that's Tiger and Leopard, I think). Since then Apple has released Snow Leopard, OS X 10.7 Lion, OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion, OS X 10.9 Mavericks, OS X 10.10: Yosemite, OS X 10.11: El Capitan, macOS 10.12: Sierra, and of course, macOS 10.13: High Sierra.

From https://www.macworld.co.uk/feature/mac-software/which-apps-wont-work-in-macos-high-sierra-3664177/ :

Photoshop

In terms of older versions of the Adobe apps, users of Adobe Photoshop CS4 may encounter problems but Adobe has announced that it won't be checking those apps for compatibility with High Sierra. Our version of PhotoShop (CS5.5) seemed to work in High Sierra.

It would be awesome if you can get it to work, but I wouldn't expect it. Do you have an older machine you can use? My best advice is not to upgrade your OS if you don't want to upgrade your applications.

~Barb

3 replies

Jeff Arola
Community Expert
Jeff ArolaCommunity Expert
Community Expert
December 28, 2017

The cs4 updater doesn't work on any operating system anymore, so it's not just a High Sierra issue.

One workaround is to start cs4, set your mac's clock back to 2009, and then use Help>Updates from within cs4 and the updater should work and don't forget to disable internet time setting and then turn the date back after the updater finishes and before running any other applications.

If you don't feel comfortable doing that, the next best, but tedious thing, is to go to the adobe Updates page, find and download the cs4 updates and then you might have follow the directions on this page under Creative Suite 5.5, 5, and 4 to install the updates, if trying to install the regular way doesn't work.

Adobe software and product updates

Installing Creative Suite on macOS 10.12 (Sierra)

I do have photoshop cs4 running on High Sierra and it's works pretty well with a couple glitches, but nothing so far that causes crashes.

Can't speak for the rest of the other cs4 applications.

S
Sandra5CE1
Participant
January 15, 2021

I had checked no auto updates, but was updated to High Sierra during the night. Unknow to me. My Adobe Photo Shop CS4 does work in some areas but the CLONE stamp does not work. Do you know if I follow your last suggestion with creative suite on macOS 12.12, if the clone stamp works? Thank you.

Nancy OShea
Community Expert
Nancy OSheaCommunity Expert
Community Expert
December 28, 2017

Is there any way you can revert to your previous OS? 

I won't sugar coat it.  CS4 is not compatible with High Sierra.  Apple made major changes to High Sierra starting with an all new file management system.  For many people, High Sierra was a total disaster.  And reverting to the old OS was their best option.

will cs4 work on high sierra |Official Apple Support Communities

Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert
Barb Binder
Community Expert
Barb BinderCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
December 19, 2017

Hi Nancy:

CS4 was released in 2008 and was compatible withOS 10.4.11–10.5.4 (that's Tiger and Leopard, I think). Since then Apple has released Snow Leopard, OS X 10.7 Lion, OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion, OS X 10.9 Mavericks, OS X 10.10: Yosemite, OS X 10.11: El Capitan, macOS 10.12: Sierra, and of course, macOS 10.13: High Sierra.

From https://www.macworld.co.uk/feature/mac-software/which-apps-wont-work-in-macos-high-sierra-3664177/ :

Photoshop

In terms of older versions of the Adobe apps, users of Adobe Photoshop CS4 may encounter problems but Adobe has announced that it won't be checking those apps for compatibility with High Sierra. Our version of PhotoShop (CS5.5) seemed to work in High Sierra.

It would be awesome if you can get it to work, but I wouldn't expect it. Do you have an older machine you can use? My best advice is not to upgrade your OS if you don't want to upgrade your applications.

~Barb

~Barb at Rocky Mountain Training
HumbleBees
HumbleBeesAuthor
Participating Frequently
December 27, 2017

Someone saying they are from Adobe said to give them my Skype number and now is asking for my Adobe id and password. Sounds fishy.

Barb Binder
Community Expert
Barb BinderCommunity Expert
Community Expert
December 27, 2017

NO! Don't do it.

~Barb at Rocky Mountain Training
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