Acrobat couldn't be activated after Mac OS 27 Update

Forum|Forum|6 hours ago
October 9, 2026
4 replies
21 views

After updating to macOS 27, Acrobat 2020 crashed. I uninstalled it and tried to reinstall it. I received the message: ‘Unsupported system’. I managed to reinstall it, but I can’t activate it. I’ve done everything I could with the help of Adobe Support Service and, in the end, I was offered a discount on an annual subscription. Can Adobe decide to swap a perpetual licence for an annual subscription? Moreover, I have the same product installed on another computer, where it works perfectly fine. What do you think I should do in this situation?

A

alberto nicolasAuthor

Participant

Both computers are running the same MacOS 27, both computers have Apple processors, both computers have Rosetta installed. I bought the perpetual license in July 2025, so Adobe can't just quit support after 5 months. The Adobe Support Service was unable to do anything, even their program similar to AnyDesk or TeamViewer can't be installed. Their own cleaning program erased every Adobe remains and nothing. Acrobat can't be activated by any means. The license is there in my account but the Adobe account activation doesn't recognize it. That is why they propose me to get a discounted subscription. They are not able to activate my license.

leo.r

Community Expert

I understand that all this is frustrating. However, you did install your version of Acrobat on an unsupported macOS version. It’s a hit-and-miss situation. I also don’t know if you can’t activate it due to an unsupported system or some other reasons.

You can try to install a supported macOS version on another volume of your hard drive (use Disk Utility to create another volume). This would be macOS 14 Sonoma, as @DFWTechGuy reported. See if you can activate Acrobat 2020 there.

D

DFWTechGuy

Participating Frequently

Since Acrobat 2020 stopped working after the macOS update and showed an “Unsupported system” message, this may be a compatibility issue rather than a problem with your license itself.

Adobe Acrobat 2020 reached end of support on November 30, 2025, and Adobe lists macOS Sonoma (14) as the latest supported macOS version for Acrobat Classic 2020. So it may not work reliably on newer macOS releases.

Having it work on your other computer doesn't necessarily mean the license is the problem, since that Mac may be running a different macOS version. I’d ask Adobe to confirm whether your perpetual license can still be activated on a supported system before deciding whether to purchase a subscription. Keep your purchase receipt and license details handy when contacting them.

leo.r

Community Expert

Moreover, I have the same product installed on another computer, where it works perfectly fine.

Another computer with macOS 27?

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