Does Flash Builder has 64-bit macOS version? (The real version)

[Thomson Shine]

app: Flash Builder 4.7

os: macOS 10.15 

As we all know, 32bit is not supported any more on macOS 10.15. But Flash Builder claims it's a 64-bit app, labeled as "macOS(64bit)", but after I downloaded, it seems like it's still a 32-bit app.

I downloaded from https://helpx.adobe.com/download-install/kb/creative-cloud-apps-download.html

which is actually labeled "macOS(64bit)", but when I start my installation, the following error occurs:(It says the app need to be updated, which seems like it's a 32bit version)

[nvhdab]

I have the same problem, after upgrading to Mac OSX Catalina (10.15), Adobe Flash Builder 4.7 icon appears with a white barred-circle.

When trying to open it, the following alert appears:

You can’t use this version of the application Adobe Flash Builder 4.7.app with this version of macOS.

Would greatly appreciate if someone from the community would indicate how to work this around without having to roll back to 10.14 or installing a VM.

[nvhdab]

I tried modifying the Flash Builder .ini files to use Java VM 6 to no avail. As of now, the only option seems to roll back to Mac OS X 10.14 Mojave...

[pedrob2484338]

I started using VSCode with the as3mxml extension. The thing is that it is also need to update to AIR33 because AIR32 still has 32 bit processes. With that AIR update you loose the ability to create 32 bit ipa and so loose support for older devices, though Harman seems to be working on putting that back again.

[jbecker_ufi]

Same problem. I believe adobe_licutil and maybe compile-abc are the problems. These could be 32-bit processes run by Flash Builder. Will this get fixed? As a larger question, does anyone know if Adobe plans to continue to support Flash Builder for future macOS and iOS releases?

[MadisonLeupp · Accepted solution]

Hi there,

Unfortunately nvhdab is correct- you'll need to stay on 10.14 or below (Flash Builder’s system requirements specify 10.6, 10.7 and 10.8 as the only officially supported versions). If you have to upgrade to Catalina, then we recommend investigating a third-party IDE, such as IntelliJ Ultimate which has both AIR and Flex support.

Hope this helps clear things up,
Madison

[Herado__]

Madison, 

In response to your "hope this clears things up" the answer is no it does not.

Adobe has yet again proved it can't be trusted - show me that I'm wrong

[Pierre-Priot]

It seems that .app binaries generated by FB are no longer supported on MacOS Catalina, is there any update coming up or potential workaround?

[Yozef0]

Does Adobe intend to update Flash Builder for MacOS Catalina? Or is Adobe not intending to do so, so we know what to do as developers.

For AIR Desktop Win & Mac applications it is a very viable solution.

[Resric]

Yes it is possible actually. Despite what the unhelpful Adobe response is.

You'll need to do three/four things:

1) Get a version of JRE/JDK installed. I happened to have 1.8.0-77 so that's what I can confirm works for sure.

2) Follow this guide to get your Flash Builder to use the specific version of JRE. 

https://blogs.adobe.com/flashplayer/2018/02/running-adobe-flash-builder-on-mac-with-java-78.html

3) This is likely optional, but I set mine up using a tool called jenv that allowed me to specify which JRE is used for Flash Builder. This allows the rest of the system to run on other versions.

4) Navigate deep down inside the Flash Builder application to launch the binary manually using Terminal. 

My Path: /Applications/Adobe\ Flash\ Builder\ 4.7/Adobe\ Flash\ Builder\ 4.7.app/Contents/MacOS

Once there run the binary like this: ./Adobe\ Flash\ Builder\ 4.7

I was able to launch my workspace and even got a mobile debugger simulator running with my app. Not sure about exporting release builds and stuff, I do that using bash/ant scripts through TeamCity.

[Ankur_Arora]

I can cofirm, this works

[santanuk76005047]

This didn't work for me with a lot of exceptions. 

$ java -version

java version "1.8.0_181"

Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.8.0_181-b13)

Java HotSpot(TM) 64-Bit Server VM (build 25.181-b13, mixed mode)

When tried to run the Flash Builder following the steps given, Catalina starts throwing the following alerts:

"adobe_caps.framework" will damage your computer. You should move it to the Bin.

Move to Bin | Cancel

..and a couple of more alerts pointing to different files. This doesn't look like an anti-virus involvement issue as I don't have any anti-virus installed on my system.

Choosing 'Cancel' for each alert, finally, it dumped a .log file and the process terminate:

https://paste.ofcode.org/33dzNA5mrrtJkdHiENTFBuV

Do you think this problem can be bypass in some way?

Thanks!

[Test Screen Name]

No, absolutely cannot be bypassed. Catalina will not run 32-bit apps by any technique or trick.

[santanuk76005047]

It is a shame how Adobe drop the IDE and its technology. Once a visionary inventor, now lives on monthly pension (subscriptions).

[d.boonen]

Another user with the same problem here. And you know it's time to leave Adobe when you hear its employee tell us to use another third party IDE 😞 

[Test Screen Name]

I observe, for what it's worth, that Flash Builder 4.7 reached end of life at the end of 2019. https://helpx.adobe.com/uk/support/programs/eol-matrix.html#EF That would seem to confirm that Adobe have no intention of doing anything; the team were probably disbanded long ago.

Will what it builds even work in a year when Flash Player goes away completely? This isn't a leading question, it's one I've tried to answer and can't.

[hudsonansley]

Could Adobe at least make FlashBuilder free to use now that it is almost useless? I have a license to use the Adobe creative suite for two coputers, but they both have Catelina installed, so if I want to set up an old laptop with a compatible MacOS for Flash Builder, I can't actually install it because of the Creative Suite restrictions. Seems like this would be an easy thing for Adobe to do that would not cost them anything. 

[Test Screen Name]

Adobe don't ever do that. (Give away old apps). They aren't likely to start now, just as they EOL Flash.