Is Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5 Compatible With MacBook Pro M1 Max?

[craray123]

Hi, I have a stand alone licence of Lightroom 5 that I never used on CD. I now have the new 2021 16" MacBook Pro M1 Max and would like to know if it's compatible? I do have an external CD/DVD reader/writer for my MacBook. Appreciate any help. Thank you.

[John T Smith]

As far as I know, only NEW programs run on the m1 chip

But, Apple MAY have some sort of compatibility mode, so put the disc in the drive and find out for yourself

[craray123]

Thanks, appreciate it. 😊

[Rob_Cullen]

would like to know if it's compatible?

No.! Lr6 uses a 32bit installer.  New Mac systems will only use 64bit Apps.

[craray123]

Thanks, appreciate the help. 

[John Waller]

What @Rob_Cullen said. Lightroom 5 will definitely not install on the M1. You'd have to dual boot with Lightroom 5 installed on an external drive running a compatible operating system such as macOS Mojave.

To use Lightroom Classic on your M1 you'll have to subscribe to one of the Photography Plans.

[craray123]

Thanks, appreciate the help.

[Lumigraphics]

You cannot run Mojave on an M1 processor. You'll have to forget LR5 and get a subscription.

[John Waller]

According to @David27251861c49u in this discussion, and mentioned elsewhere in other discussions, LR5 will install on an M1 Mac and run OK under Rosetta 2. 

[David27251861c49u]

This is not true. I was able to install Lightroom 5 off CD on my Macbook Air M1 and it runs perfectly. Do NOT pay for an Adobe subscription!

[John Waller]

Interesting @David27251861c49u . First I've heard of this.

https://community.adobe.com/t5/lightroom-classic-discussions/changing-computers-install-lr5-on-m1-ma...

It has always been understood that it is not possible. Does LR5 run OK on your M1 Mac under Rosetta2?

[Rob_Cullen]

@David27251861c49u  wrote- "I was able to install Lightroom 5 off CD on my Macbook Air M1 and it runs perfectly."

My first post in this thread was for Lightroom v6.

FYI More forum threads about Lr5 in Mac Monterey OS-

https://community.adobe.com/t5/lightroom-classic-discussions/monterey-and-lightroom-5/m-p/13149976#M...

See the posts from @TheDigitalDog and @JohanElzenga 

[John Waller]

Thanks @Rob_Cullen 

[Nancy OShea]

The better question is why?  Why cling to outdated software that can't support newer cameras, operating systems, filters, presets and other advanced features when you don't have to? 

LR Classic on a Photography Plan costs only $10/month for 12 months.

Creative Cloud Photography Plan includes the following:

• Photoshop CC and Photoshop on iPad
• Camera Raw
• Lightroom on desktop, mobile and the web
• Lightroom Classic
• Portfolio website + hosting
• Adobe Express (free starter plan)
• Bridge
• 20 GB cloud storage (upgradable to 1 TB).
• Free upgrades for paid subscribers

https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/photography.html

[Stephanie273974714tac]

Because some of us are tired of being sucked dry by every single subscription service. 

I for one don't need to use Lightroom more than a handful of times a year and don't care about new features. 

[David27251861c49u]

Amen

[kglad]

@Stephanie273974714tac 

then use what you want.  no one here is stopping you.

[Stephanie273974714tac]

I apparently won't be able to if I upgrade my MBP. 

[Lumigraphics]

That's the tradeoff. If you want to use a newer computer, you have to upgrade the software on it. You can also use an alternate app, there are many free or perpetual license ones out there.

[kglad]

@Stephanie273974714tac 

that's because of apple's decision to not support older software whether that's software from adobe, microsoft and everyone else (including apple).

that's contrasted with microsoft's decision to support older software by way of its compatibility mode.

[Lumigraphics]

And that's a trade-off as well. Adding complexity and supporting older software is not always a great idea; you are just holding the platform back and increasing the chance of bugs and security holes.

[Rob25985951dbhe]

LOL, because it works fine for many of us, because we paid for the perpetual license and don't want to pay $10 every month. What may seem small amount to you, may not be small for everyone. I use LR may be a couple of times a month and don't want to spend that much.

Sure new versions are much better with lots of improvements and always up-to-date but all that comes with a price tag and one size doesn't fit all. This model works for you, may be works for all the people you know, doesn't mean it works for everyone. There are many like me who would have bought newer release perpetual license but can't.

Come out of your shell to look around and you'll get answer to your "better question".

[Nancy OShea]

@Rob25985951dbhe 

If legacy apps worked so well for modern Mac users, they wouldn't be posting questions here -- would they?  And that is the topic.