Adobe Reader not able to Attach PKCS#11 module on MAC

[ivana_4012]

Have installed Adobe Reader on my MacBook Pro 2,3 GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i5, Ventura 13.7.4. Trying to add PKCS#11 Modules so I can sign legal document. Options for "Attach module", "Detach module" and "Refresh" are in light gray color and not operative. Tried to fix the problem with support of Certilia in Croatia, but they told me that this is Adobe issue on Mac OS with latest update and quit a lot of users having same issue for apx. last 50 days. Can You help?

[creative explorer]

@ivana_4012 It appears you're encountering a known issue with Adobe Reader on macOS Ventura, specifically related to PKCS#11 module functionality. The problem, where "Attach module," "Detach module," and "Refresh" options are grayed out, has been reported by numerous users, particularly after recent updates. This issue seems to stem from compatibility problems between Adobe Reader and newer macOS versions, affecting the software's ability to properly interact with PKCS#11 modules used for digital signatures. A potential workaround that has helped some users is to run Adobe Acrobat reader using Rosetta. To do this, you can right click the Adobe Acrobat application, select get info, and check the box that says open using Rosetta. It is important to note that this could cause a slight decrease in the performance of the application.

[ivana_4012]

Thanks for tips, however not able to sort out issue as Adobe Acrobat on my MacBook doesn't have option open using Rosetta.

[Tariq Ahmad]

HI @ivana_4012, 

Sorry for the troubled experience. Following up to check if your issue is resolved or not? 

Let us know if you need further assistance, and we would be happy to assist 🙂

~Tariq

[Karina26756546nfeg]

Hi! 

I have absolute the same problem - I don't have checkbox for Rosetta and I cannot attached or do whatever  I want to PKCS 11 to add the certificate.

[Walter Mena]

Hi, I am facing the same issue, using a Macbook Pro 2017 with Ventura 13.7.6.  Is there an actual solution to this problem?

Thanks

[AnandSri]

Hello @Walter Mena

I hope you are doing well, and we apologize for the delayed response and the trouble.

Please ensure you have the latest version of Acrobat installed on the machine: 25.001.20529 (Mac), planned update June 10, 2025. Check for any pending updates from the Menu > help > check for updates, install the updates, restart the app and the machine, and try again.

If you're on an Apple Silicon Mac (M1, M2, M3), try launching Adobe Reader using Rosetta, which can improve compatibility with certain legacy modules:

• Right-click the Adobe Acrobat Reader app in Finder
• Select Get Info
• Check the box for “Open using Rosetta.”
• Restart the app and try attaching the module again

Note: This option is only available on Apple Silicon Macs. If you're on an Intel-based MacBook Pro (like your 2017 model), this workaround won't apply. 

Verify the PKCS#11 Library Path

If the UI becomes responsive, make sure you're entering the correct path to the PKCS#11 library:

• Go to Acrobat > Preferences > Signatures > Identities & Trusted Certificates
• Under PKCS#11 Modules and Tokens, click Attach Module
• Enter the full path to your token’s .dylib file (e.g., /usr/local/lib/libeToken.dylib) and click OK.

If the issue continues, please provide the following information: the current version of the operating system on your device, a video recording of the workflow/steps reproducing the issue, and the logs from the affected machine. To collect the logs, download and run the Log Collector tool. Make sure to select all log options and attempt to reproduce the issue. After that, close the Log Collector tool; it will generate the logs along with a log ID. Please share this log ID with us for further investigation.

Thanks,

Anand Sri,

[chandrachuda_2448]

Using Mac Mini, Apple M4 chipset. 
Same issue and also dont have option of running through rosetta

[chandrachuda_2448]

Attaching you the screen recording as well. When can we expect a closure on this?

[Meenakshi Negi]

Hi chandrachuda_2448,

Thank you for sharing the screen recording. Please share the Acrobat version number currently installed on the machine. 

We need the logs to investigate this behavior further. To collect the logs, download and run the Log Collector tool. Make sure to select all log options and attempt to reproduce the issue. After that, close the Log Collector tool; it will generate the logs along with a log ID. Please share this log ID with us for further investigation.

Feel free to let us know if you need any help.

Thanks,

Meenakshi

[juan_5790]

Hi Meenakshi Negi

Any solution to this problem? I'm facing the same problem described by several users reported on this thread. 

I have provdied "Full Disk Access" to Adobe Acrobat however the problem persist. 

Any idea here? 

[juan_5790]

Attched some screenshots for reference. 

[Meenakshi Negi]

Hi juan_5790,

Thank you for reaching out, and sorry about the trouble caused.

We did not receive the information to investigate this behavior further. Could you please share the logs so we can investigate this behavior further? To collect the logs, download and run the Log Collector tool. Make sure to select all log options and attempt to reproduce the issue. After that, close the Log Collector tool; it will generate the logs with a log ID. Please share this log ID with us for further investigation.

Feel free to let us know if you need any help.

Thanks,

Meenakshi

[juan_5790 · Accepted solution]

Fun fact community. 

Problem got solved by unchecking the enhanced security protections. Once you unchecked those 2 protections, close and re-open adobe and that will do the trick.

Please see attached screenshot for reference. 

Can't understand how adobe team could not point us to the right direction. 

[analytical_positivity2167]

This did the trick for me as well.

[JR Boulay]

[MOVED TO THE ACROBAT READER DISCUSSIONS]