Change how Acrobat updates - when and how

[clif_CROP]

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. 

[S. S]

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.

[clif_CROP]

Thank you for getting back to me @S. S 

Will running this stop the "Adobe Acrobat Updater is unable to check for the latest updates" prompt from popping up? Assuming so but since its kind of random when it pops up was curious if you could confirm. 

Also, in case someone comes across this post, will you include the Terminal command to reeable the updater in case someone wants to turn it back on. Thank you!

[clif_CROP]

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]

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.

[clif_CROP]

Good afternoon Souvik 

I can't get this to work either. 

Looking in /Library/Preferences/ I don't have a com.Adobe.Pro file. 

This would be the Library folder that is on the hard drive along with the System, Users, and Application folder. 

Of course there is the OTHER Library folder, the Users Library folder so I went in there:

/Users/[my user name]/Library/Preferences/com.adobe.Acrobat.Pro.plist 

And in here is a preference file called: com.adobe.Acrobat.Pro

When I tried to run:

/Users/[my username]/Library/Preferences/com.adobe.Acrobat.Pro.plist DisableUpdater -bool true

I get a "Permission denied" where I wasn't able to authenticate with password as would be normal in Terminal. 

I opened up this PLIST file and only reference to Updater I see is:

		</dict>
		<key>Updater</key>
		<dict>
			<key>ARMLastInducedLaunchTime</key>
			<array>
				<integer>1</integer>
				<integer>1752764006</integer>
			</array>
			<key>ARMLastLoginItemCheckTime</key>
			<array>
				<integer>1</integer>
				<integer>1742244394</integer>
			</array>
			<key>FirstTimeAppHasRun</key>
			<array>
				<integer>0</integer>
				<false/>
			</array>
		</dict>

Assuming this where it would need to be adjusted. 

[S. S]

Hi @clif_CROP,

Thanks for the response.

Please try adding the below command through Terminal:

sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.adobe.Acrobat.Pro bUpdater -bool false

sudo /usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Add :UpdateMode integer 0" "/Library/Application Support/Adobe/ARMDC/Registered Products/com.adobe.acrobat.DC.plist"

In case you get the message saying the entry already exists, try the below code instead:

sudo /usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set :UpdateMode 0" "/Library/Application Support/Adobe/ARMDC/Registered Products/com.adobe.acrobat.DC.plist"

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Souvik.

[clif_CROP]

Hey @S. S well this appeared to run correctly in Terminal so thanks for sending along! I'll report back if I see any issues with this but fingers crossed you got me set, thanks! Assuming that Manually checking for updates would still work, this is just suspending the auto check by turning it off. 

[S. S]

Hi @clif_CROP,

Glad that it went through.

This preference code is only to disable checking and running auto-updates.

You are free to manually check for updates of the app anytime you wish to do so.

Regards,
Souvik.

[clif_CROP]

Hey @S. S just thought I'd revisit this thread to note that the above didn't work. While no errors were reported in Terminal I set this up on both of my Macs. On one the Preferences > Updater > Check for Updates is checked and on the other it is not checked. The one set to check has continued to update in the background, the one set to not auto update continues to throw the error message that its unable to check for updates. PLEASE, report this as a bug. If you give the option to TURN OFF the auto updates then the program should hastle me about the fact that I unchecked the check box. What would be even MORE preferable would be if you move Acrobat in to Creative Cloud so auto updates or manual updates could be handled like all other Adobe products.