macOS Security Update Blocks Photoshop Scripts from Running System Commands (app.system fails)
- September 16, 2025
- 2 replies
- 155 views
Hello, Adobe Team. I am reporting a critical issue that prevents any Photoshop script from executing command-line processes on macOS using the app.system() command. This issue started recently after a long period of working perfectly. Environment: * Photoshop Version: [FILL IN YOUR VERSION, e.g., 25.9.1] * macOS Version: [FILL IN YOUR VERSION, e.g., Sonoma 14.5] Steps to Reproduce: 1. On a Mac with a recent macOS update, open Photoshop. 2. Run any script that contains the app.system() command to call a system utility (e.g., app.system('curl --version')). Expected Behavior: The script should execute the command and return the expected result. Actual Behavior: The script fails. In my case, a plugin that depends on curl returns a "Curl Not Found" error, even though curl is installed and works. A minimal test script using app.system() also fails. Diagnostics and Tests Performed: After extensive troubleshooting, we have confirmed the following: * The issue occurs on two different Mac machines. * The issue occurs on two different major versions of Photoshop (2024 and 2025). * The issue occurs with multiple different scripts, indicating it's not a bug in a specific script file. * The `curl --version` command works perfectly when run directly in the macOS Terminal, proving curl is installed and accessible. * Resetting Photoshop preferences, reinstalling scripts, and granting "Full Disk Access" and "Developer Tools" permissions to Photoshop did not solve the issue. Conclusion: The only logical conclusion is that a recent macOS security update has changed the sandboxing policies, and Photoshop is now being prevented by the operating system from executing processes via app.system(). This likely requires an update from Photoshop to comply with Apple's new APIs or security policies. Thank you for your attention. I look forward to a fix.
