Two problems with PS 25.2 on my MAC OS 14.2.1

I am having two problems in PS 2024.  The first is in cropping mode.  How can I custom crop a photo? The crop feature is tied to a preset ratio which makes custom cropping impossible        epson printer.

The second problem is how to correct leaning verticals?  I have been using the following method:  

1. Open your image in Photoshop 

2. Make a duplicate layer. Go to: 'Layer' then 'Duplicate Layer' 

A new layer will appear in your 'Layers' list. 

3. Delete the 'background' layer (drag from list into the trash). 

4. Go to 'Edit' then 'Transform' then 'Perspective' - A box will appear around your image. 

5. Go to a top corner of your image. Click on the small square and pull outwards until the verticals are straight. 

6. Flatten your image - go to 'Layers' then 'Flatten'. 

7. Save your image. 

A more selective method is to use 'Edit' then 'Transform' then 'Distort' 

This will enable you to manipulate each corner separately. 

You can also fine tune your correction using 'Edit' then 'Transform' then 'Warp' just pulling a little from selected points to get the effect you want. 

The above method (using 'Distort') can also be used to correct leaning horizons or other types of 'skewed' images. "

What has worked without problem for years, now gets stuck at step 6.  The option to "flatten" the layers is not longer an active option.  Unless I can flatten, I cannot save the adjusted photo.  Merge Layers and Merge Visible are also not active options in step 6.

What are my options?