How Can I Continue Using End-of-Life CC Apps that No Longer Connect to Servers for Verification???

[Parrothead1973]

Situation: Since 2016, I have subscribed to Adobe CC, and run apps on a 27inch iMac with OSX 10.15.7 and an older MacPro1,1 maxed out at OSX 10.7.5.  (The MacPro1,1 cannot run a higher OS without manipulation, and cannot run 10.12+ due to hardware incompatibility.)  The 2014 CC apps on my MacPro1,1 have reached their end-of-life according to Adobe, and will no longer connect to the server for verification. (only 7 days left as of this morning) The apps still function well on my MacPro1,1, but they will soon no longer be usable ONLY because Adobe has decided to stop supporting/verifying those old versions.  This is completely UNFAIR.

Question: How can I continue to use the old 2014 CC apps on my MacPro 10.7.5 OS, without daily/monthly verification? I still subscribe to CC to use the current versions on a newer Mac, so it's not like I'm trying to pirate anything. My workflow would be kicked in the groin if I lost the capability to use CC apps on my MacPro1,1.

Note: I've already spent time chatting with Adobe support, who basically told me there was nothing they can do... and that I should try here in the Community.

Thanks for reading. Hope someone can offer a solution that doesn't involve purchasing a newer Mac.

[Test Screen Name]

"The 2014 CC apps on my MacPro1,1 have reached their end-of-life according to Adobe, and will no longer connect to the server for verification." 

What are the actual messages you see on your computer about this? Please give a screen shot. For now let's assume that Adobe support may not have given correct info.

[Parrothead1973]

No screen shot. That's the answer I received during the support chat.

The message I get on my computer is that it can't connect to the Adobe server for verification. I went through all the troubleshooting with no success before contacting Adobe support. They ran me through all the troubleshooting again, with no success. Then transferred me to a "specialist" who informed me that the versions I am running are no longer supported and that the servers used for their verification have been discontinued. Therefore, no way to verify my active membership for those older versions. It's unfair, as far as I'm concerned. If they're abandoning their older apps, they should offer an end-of-life final permanent verification code to current legal subscribers.

[Jeff Arola]

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[ProDesignTools]

AFAIK, nowhere else has it been reported that CC 2014 can no longer be activated.

This might be true for some old Creative Suite applications like CS3 from 2007, but haven't heard anything about any CC versions.

The activation servers for all CC releases should be the same. So there is likely some other issue at hand on that machine that is hindering activation. Try these steps instead:

https://helpx.adobe.com/download-install/kb/activation-deactivation-help.html

https://helpx.adobe.com/download-install/kb/troubleshoot-creative-cloud-activation-errors.html

[Parrothead1973]

Thanks, ProDesignTools, but I've exhausted the troubleshooting steps in those links already.

The app file name (for example) is Photoshop CC 2014. Splash screen shows 2014.2.2 release.  BUT, I'm pretty sure I had to download and install the CS6 version to run on that operating system. That was done directly via the Adobe Creative Cloud app interface, not some side-step alternate download. Either way, the Adobe Creative Cloud app won't connect to the server, and neihter will the Adobe Application Manager.

[ProDesignTools]

Yes, you used to be able to download CS6 and CC 2014 from the Desktop app, but Adobe limited access to older versions.

So those older releases are no longer officially supported as others have said, but if you already have them installed on your computers then they should still (in theory) run if you so wish, and "at your own risk."

Did you try the TLS suggestion given below?

Another idea would be to reinstall the Creative Cloud Desktop app on that older machine. Try using the latest-available direct download links for that:

https://helpx.adobe.com/download-install/kb/creative-cloud-desktop-app-download.html#download-links

[Test Screen Name]

I think you have been hit by Adobe (like many others) removing support for out of date and insecure web protocols ("TLS 1.0 and 1.1"). Adobe tech support won't know anything about Lion and it looks as if this may be the end of the road

https://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/multi/eol-tls-support.html

There is no way to disable checking for your subscription.

Note too that older apps are seriously unsupported. And in most cases completely unavailable if you want to reinstall.

I don't say any of this is a good situation.

[Nancy OShea]

and an older MacPro1,1 maxed out at OSX 10.7.5.  

You need a new computer.  Adobe assumes customers have modern equipment and the latest operating systems, no more than 2 versions back.  In a few weeks, Apple is releasing another new operating system which widens the gap even more:  Yosemite, Sierra, High Sierra, Mojave, Catalina, Big Sur, Montery...

If you wish to use Creative Cloud  on a 2nd machine, get a Windows PC.  You'll get a lot more bang for your buck on Windows than you will with a Mac.  See the current system requirements below.

- https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/system-requirements.html

[Parrothead1973]

It may be old, but with an SSD boot/applications drive, my MacPro1,1 is still a very stable workhorse, and functions as my home network server due to its 6 internal drive bays. It's also useful for running other companies' apps that haven't been updated to run on newer OSes. It runs the 2014 Adobe CC apps without a problem. The hardware is not to blame. Like I said before, the ONLY thing that is going to prevent the CC apps from working, is Adobe's decision to abandon them.  It's really aggrevating.

And... there's no way on earth that I'd allow a windows PC into my home! 😉

[Test Screen Name]

I gave what seemed a correct explanation Adobe didn't specifically abandon the apps, but it did specifically abandon your system because of the TLS thing. 

[Nancy OShea]

It may be old but is still a very stable workhorse and functions as my home network server...

========

@Parrothead1973,

You can rationalize this all you want but it doesn't change the facts:  your old "workhorse" doesn't meet the minimum requirements to run Creative Cloud apps. 

Is there anything else we can help you with? 

[ProDesignTools]

Well, the system may be old, and Adobe no longer officially supports those versions (which does make sense, considering they are seven years old) – but running them with a paid subscription is up to the poster, provided they are aware of the caveats and do so at their own risk.

People may not wish (or be able) to buy new computers, and even Adobe won't kick someone off a valid & working older release that's already installed somewhere.

So in theory the older software should still work. I'm fine with offering help for that.

To my knowledge, there has been no change to any Creative Cloud activation servers. The only activation servers which were decommissioned were CS2, CS3, and CS4 (but even CS4 can still be reinstalled).

[Nancy OShea]

@ProDesignTools,

Maybe you missed the point. This isn't about Adobe. This is about Internet security.

TLS 1.0 and TLS 1.1 connection protocols are end of life. This was mandated by the Payment Card Industry.

https://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/multi/eol-tls-support.html

Apple didn't implement TLS 1.2 connections until macOS 10.9.1 (Mavericks) or higher.  Because of the new regulations, Lion is incapable of connecting to Adobe's servers now. 

If the OP updates his OS security as recommended, he must also update his browsers to enable TLS 1.2

https://help.wheniwork.com/articles/enable-tls-v12-on-your-web-browser/

[ProDesignTools]

Didn't miss the point. We can only make people aware of the risks/caveats or limitations, and then it's up to them.

So we can give our best advice here, but the rest is the user's decision.

[Nancy OShea]

As @Lumigraphics already said, an insecure computer runninng Lion OS should not be connected to the Internet.

[ProDesignTools]

Yes, that's the community's advice.

However, if the OP can upgrade (free) to just one version later on Mac OS – to Mountain Lion v. 10.8, for example – then TLS 1.2 is supported on that release, and everything is fine.

https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/273724/mac-pro-1-1-running-any-kind-of-latest-version-of-m...

https://support.apple.com/kb/DL2076?locale=en_US

[Nancy OShea]

I'm not sure Mac 10.8 is good enough. See below.

Encryption Improvements

The Mavericks release also includes several key data and transport encryption improvements. For the first time Apple OS X is now enabling TLS 1.2, which is a more recent and more secure implementation of transport layer security. Prior to the Mavericks release, OS X only supported the SSLv3 and TLS 1.0 versions of SSL.

https://www.esecurityplanet.com/endpoint/apple-secures-mac-os-x-with-mavericks-release/

[ProDesignTools]

Adobe's help page on the TLS issue says Mac OS X 10.8 or later for "Upgrade your operating system or application to a version that supports TLS 1.2."

Even if otherwise, the StackExchange article posted above talks about taking that hardware as high as El Capitan v. 10.11.

[Lumigraphics]

I'm afraid your Mac Pro is simply out of date and insecure. I would not put a machine running Lion on the Internet.

For well under US$1000 you can get a much newer Mac that will run circles around that Mac Pro. Even an etry-level M1 Mac mini is way, way, way faster.