How can I install Acrobat DC on Mac OS X Catalina Beta?

[jaruydiaz]

I am testing Mac OS X Catalina in beta version. I can't install Acrobat DC. Every Time I run the installer and error appears. This only happens with this software. I installed Photoshop with no problem.

[Dov Isaacs · Accepted solution]

No you can't.

Apple has made changes to MacOS that are incompatible with many existing application programs. Adobe will have an update to Acrobat Pro DC to resolve these compatibility issues.

In the general case, Adobe absolutely does not support use of its software on either “development” or “beta” releases of operating systems, whether they be MacOS or Windows.

And of course, you should never run development or beta versions of either operating systems or applications on production systems.

          - Dov

[yveskreis]

Does Adobe provide a pre-release/beta version of Adobe Acrobat DC to be used on macOS Catalina Beta?

P.S.: All other Adobe applications I tested run fine...

[try67]

There are of course beta versions of Adobe applications, but that doesn't mean they are compatible with beta versions of operating systems. In fact, that would compound the amount of possible issues, as you're dealing with an unstable application running on an unstable OS... Also, to gain access to the beta versions of Adobe apps you have to qualify by being a very active member on the forums, for example (ACP/MVP). You can't just register for it, I don't think.

[yveskreis]

Thanks for the clarification. The "problem" with Acrobat DC is that it is still a 32-bit application. Didn't notice that right away... besides, every company does testing of beta applications on beta systems because they simply can't afford to wait until the os is released to start adapting their software... anyway, I am willing to test a 64-bit (beta) version of Acrobat... if not, I will have to wait until its final release.

[try67]

I'm sure Adobe does this kind of testing on its own, and maybe even through outside testers, but I think you better wait for the stable release.

[yveskreis]

That means no Acrobat on my testing machine, which means that I will probably switch to something else... so be it...

[Bernd Alheit]

Acrobat DC for Mac is a 64-bit application.

[yveskreis]

And its installer? I have seen some error about bad CPU type somewhere while quickly debugging... anyhow, it's not me who is gonna fix this...

[Bernd Alheit]

The installer is also 64-bit:

Adobe Acrobat Pro DC (64bit Installer)

[yveskreis]

OK, thanks for the clarification. Now wondering more than ever why all Adobe applications I tested run on Catalina and Acrobat doesn't...

[Test Screen Name]

There are any number of reasons why apps won't install. This sort of thing happens with every beta. But because everyone knows about the 64-bit/32-bit issue with Catalina, there's a tendency to assume that's behind everything. But each new macOS has lots of changes, some of which Apple tell developers about, some of which they have to find out about, and some of which are mistakes which will (maybe) be fixed in the released version or first update.

Just for fun, here are Apple's release notes for developers for Catalina beta 3: macOS Catalina 10.15 Beta 3 Release Notes | Apple Developer Documentation If you care to look, you will see hundreds of items, many of which are known issues, some are fixes, some are "deprecations" and more...

[yveskreis]

Thanks for the link. I read them tonight before installing beta 3 😉

[Dov Isaacs]

FYI, there is at least one module in Acrobat DC (neither the installer nor the main executable software) that remains to be converted and test for 64-bit. MacOS 10.15 no longer supports ​any ​32-bit software. That is probably the hang-up you are experiencing.

          - Dov

[Dov Isaacs]

Basic answer is no!

In this case until Apple releases the final version of MacOS 10.15, Adobe does not provide any official software for use in that environment.

               - Dov

[yveskreis]

Thanks for clarification Dov. Unofficial would be fine too 😉 I will (maybe) reinstall Adobe Acrobat in 3 months time then...