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Participant
Dec 3, 2025 9:04 AM UTC
Question

get a notification when a linked smart object needs to be updated in Photoshop

Hi there I would love to have a notification when a linked smart object in photoshop is updated.

A bit like when in illustrator or indesign. The only place where you can see that a linked smart object in photoshop needs to be updated is the tiny icon on the layer pallet (see attached)

 

If I am working with a linked smart object and I have the main files open and adjust the linked smart object everything gets updated automaticly. But If I change it and one of the main files was not open it stays unupdated. No problem there and still the same a with illustartor and indesign.

 

But: once I open one of the main files I don't get a notification that there is a linked smart object in the main file that needs to be updated. There is only a really tiny icon which tells the file needs an update. It is easy to overlook and therefore I think it would be really nice if you can make a notification wich tells there is an adjusted linked smart object in your file that needs to be updated. Same like inDesign and Illustrator.

 

Thank you!

3 replies

justlearn
Community Expert
Community Expert
Dec 12, 2025 11:12 PM UTC

@franspeek I just tried, and placed a link file into an new document. The image is a smart object. When i made changes to the linked image, and went back to Photoshop, it was already updated. I am working on a MAC Photoshop

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m
Stephen Marsh
Community Expert
Community Expert
Dec 12, 2025 11:44 PM UTC

That would be the preferences/settings to automatically update modified links.

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Conrad_C
Community Expert
Community Expert
Dec 13, 2025 3:31 AM UTC

This is weird...I’ve been toggling that setting on and off to test this, but Photoshop is auto-updating the linked Smart Objects either way. I can’t make it not auto-update. Anyone else seeing this?

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