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clif_CROP
Inspiring
March 11, 2025
Question

Change how Acrobat updates - when and how

  • March 11, 2025
  • 1 reply
  • 1237 views

Acrobat on Mac currently doesn't update through the CC app like all other Adobe apps do. I'm attaching a screenshot of a pop up message I've seen a couple of times over the years where I've gone to restart my Mac to be informed that without my knowledge, Acrobat was installing in the background and I couldn't restart. When pressed for a deadline this was especially unappreciated but further, I do like to have control of when and what gets updated. 

 

I’ve taken the steps of turning off the auto update within the Acrobat settings, however, the application is a complete scourge at nearly daily popping up message that it is “unable to check for updates” yeah…no kidding. You give me NO option to dismiss these for good. 

 

So, let’s figure it out. Either give me control IF and WHEN Acrobat gets updated via the CC app like all other apps, or the option to permanently dismiss this message. I’m about at the point of uninstalling Acrobat and moving to another application all together to view PDFs. 

1 reply

S_S
Community Manager
S_SCommunity Manager
Community Manager
March 16, 2025

Hi @clif_CROP,

 

Hope you are doing well. Sorry for the trouble.

 

If Acrobat is still checking for updates even when auto-update is disabled, you can prevent the Updater from running:

  • Open Terminal and run: sudo chmod -x /Library/Application\ Support/Adobe/Acrobat/Acrobat\ Updater/Acrobat\ https://adobe.ly/3DXIB82\ Updater

This makes the updater non-executable, preventing it from launching in the background.

 

Also, Creative Cloud Desktop App updates Acrobat to the latest planned update, while Acroabt through the standalone app will check for any optional updates too.

 

Hope this clarifies your question. For any other feedback, please feel free to to write to us here: https://adobe.ly/4iKnO72 to ensure it reaches the dev team directly for review and future implementation.


Regards,
Souvik.

C
clif_CROPAuthor
Inspiring
March 17, 2025

Hello @S. S I tried to run that terminal command and I'm getting a "No such file or directory" when running it. 

I drilled in to my /Library/Application Support/Adobe/Acrobat/ and thats where it ends. No additional Acrobat folder inside and nothing called Updater. I have 11.0 (empty) a DC folder and Framework folder (also empty). 

I had auto update turned off in Preference so I tried to re-enable that to try and run the terminal again, still error and still no folder in the App Support. 

S_S
Community Manager
S_SCommunity Manager
Community Manager
July 21, 2025

Hi @clif_CROP,

 

Sorry for the confusion.

 

Let's try a different approach.

 

Go to "Go > Utilities> Terminal> add the command: sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.adobe.Acrobat.Pro DisableUpdater -bool true"

 

This should disable the updater completely. 

 

Once done, verify if it was added from the terminal by putting the code: defaults read /Library/Preferences/com.adobe.Acrobat.Pro DisableUpdater

The returned value should be 1.

 

If that is successful, lock the preference file by typing the below code:

sudo chflags uchg /Library/Preferences/com.adobe.Acrobat.Pro.plist

 

Hope this helps.

 


Regards,
Souvik.

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