Question

MAC OS and Adobe Photo editor

Forum|Forum|6 months ago
November 23, 2025
10 replies
1230 views

I have a Macbook Pro, trying to run Photo Editor, and its telling me I need MAC OS X

I have the lastest MACOS Tahoe software installed. My computer is 2019. Is it outdated to run Photo

editor?

macOS

Jeff Arola

Community Expert

Unfortunately, Photoshop Elements versions older than 2023 will not work on macOS Tahoe 26.

The simple explanation is whatever code in Photoshop Elements verifies the Mac version is in error thinking macOS Tahoe 26 is older than Mac OS X, which itself is an error because none of the officially supported versions of macOS for Photoshop Elements 2026 are called Mac OS X.

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-elements-discussions/p-photoshop-elements-on-macos-26-tahoe-does-not-launch/m-p/15510561

Anyhow, so far no one has come forward with a way to run those older versions of Photoshop Elements on macOS Tahoe 26, so i guess your best option if you want to stick with Photoshop Elements is to upgrade to Photoshop Elements 2026, which happens to be on a Black Friday sale right now for around 59.95.

https://www.adobe.com/products/elements-family.html

Nancy OShea

Community Expert

Adobe Elements 2020 is NOT Creative Cloud. It's a separate app on your device.

But as I said above, Elements 2020 was never updated to work with Tahoe. It was built to run on macOS (10) Catalina.

Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert

B

Bert5DADAuthor

I installed them earlier this year. To clarify, I am not trying to install anything. I am trying to open the Photoshop app on my MacBook Pro. I keep getting the error message. I am using the Creative Cloud

Nancy OShea

Community Expert

Legacy Photoshop Elements 2020 is not compatible with macOS v26 (Tahoe). Sorry.

If you have an old computer with these system specs, keep it for use with PS Elements 2020.

Failing that, you need new software that's compatible with Tahoe.

Photoshop Elements 2026 (3 year license)
https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop-elements.html

Take advantage of Black Friday deals, on now through Dec 2.

Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert

B

Bert5DADAuthor

yes

B

Bert5DADAuthor

Yes, it worked before.
I am a newbie at Adobe Suite, just trying to navigate it

B

Bert5DADAuthor

I have 2020 Version Installed. Please see my photo

jane-e

Community Expert

@Bert5DAD

To confirm: you have macOS Tahoe and a subscription to Creative Cloud. Is it Photoshop 2026 that you are trying to install? Did it work before or is it a new subscription?

I've moved your post from Discussions to Bugs so the Adobe staff will see it. Requiring OS X is very odd!

Is it okay if I edit your first post to say Photoshop instead of the generic term "photo editor", which can mean several things?

Jane

Nancy OShea

Community Expert

There's a free online Photo Editor in Adobe Express. Is that what you mean?

https://www.adobe.com/express/feature/image/editor

Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert

jane-e

Community Expert

Hi Nancy

"Photo editor" and "image editor" are generic terms, with the exception the app in Google Play that has that actual name. As I said earlier, Adobe does not have an app called "Photo Editor". They have several applications that can edit photos, which is why we need to know what @Bert5DAD is actually trying to use.

When you follow your link, it says "Use the Adobe Express free online picture editor" (not "photo")

When you do a web search for "photo editor" a number of different apps come up, including Canva and one from Apple

Changing the search to "adobe photo editor" brings up links for Photoshop, Lightroom, Express, and Firefly.

Google Play and the only app called Photo Editor:

This next hit that says "online photo editor" starts with Photoshop...

https://www.adobe.com/photoshop/online/photo-editing.html/

The button to Edit photos now goes to Photoshop for Web/

This link on the same page also goes to Photoshop for Web.

@Bert5DAD We still need to know what you are using or trying to use. Thank you!

@Nancy OShea I hope fairly long post was helpful for you!

Jane

Nancy OShea

Community Expert

People frequently misidentify products. It comes with the territory.

Adobe Lightroom also contains "Photo Editor"

https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop-lightroom/edit-photos.html

Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert

jane-e

Community Expert

@Bert5DAD

Adobe does not have an application called Photo Editor, although it has several applications that can edit photos. I did find an app on Google Play that is not from Adobe with that name.

Can you confirm the application you are trying to use? Did you purchase a subscription or do you have a 7day trial?

Jane