File won't open in InDesign 2025

[Chris26953238qfn0]

I just updated my CC apps such as Ps, Ai, Id, etc. All seem fine with the exception of the current Id file on which I'm working that won't open. Other Id files open but not this one. It's some 87 MBs but I'm able to open other ones as large or larger.

I had quit the app before updating. I have also since restarted my Mac.

Any insights would be much appreciated.

[jeffyerkey]

Urgent - I am having the same problem!  

I cannot open yesterday's files today.

I can create new InDesign files but not open existing ones!

[Steve Werner · Accepted solution]

You can reinstall InDesign 2024 are reopen it again to work on. (Never a good idea to do an update when you're working on a critrical product.)

Go to Creative Cloud desktop app > Apps section. Show All Apps.

[jeffyerkey]

Hi Steve,

Fortunately, my ID 2024 copy is still on my Mac. I chose to uninstall ID 2025 for now until further notice.  I'm SO SICK of Adobe shipping not-ready-for-primetime software.  Arrgh!

[Chris26953238qfn0]

Is the current Id 2025 version 20.0 that should be uninstalled and 19.5 installed in its place?

[jeffyerkey]

This afternoon, I had ID 2024 and (magically) 2025 on my Sonoma (14.6.1) Mac.  I normally use 2024 all the time. After the abovementioned difficulties, I uninstalled 2025 and can now continue working. 

[Chris26953238qfn0]

Can/should I install InD 2024 (19.5) first without uninstalling InD 2025 (20.0)?

I'm on an iMac 27" with all palettes laid out on a second monitor. What I'm trying to avoid is resetting up the second monitor.

Once I find that the file I need to open does indeed open, then can I uninstall InD 2025?

[jeffyerkey]

Chris,

I am certainly no expert, but I would install 2024 first. 

[Chris26953238qfn0]

So, having both versions installed is not an issue?

[jeffyerkey]

Chris,

For me, it *is* an issue. After I successfully verified that my 2024 was working correctly, I uninstalled 2025.

I can't take a chance that 2025 will "hijack" a new document. I am in a production environment and want to work only with 2024 for now. 

-- Jeff

[Chris26953238qfn0]

Well, reinstalling InD 2024 [19.5] and uninstalling InD 2025 [20.0]. Seems to have done the trick.

Thanks Steve and Jeff.

[Chris26953238qfn0]

Some questions remain in my mind.

Why did that one document fail to open when others did?

How wide spread was this issue?

When was InDesign 2025 released?

Does Adobe monitor these forums to be alerted about issues like this?

How soon can we likely expect a fix?

[c.kurtz]

Same problem Nov. 4th with Version 20.0 on Apple 15.0.

[costasa22261614]

Imagine a 3,7+ trillion company and a 200+billion company,
not being able to simply make a program open............................

(have same problem since yesterday BUT older version won't open the file because it was "hijacked" by new version.
Today is delivery date.....)

[JAD_the_mad]

They were supposed to fix this issue in the last update. Still waiting.....

[pbix65]

I am having the same problem. I can't imagine that anyone had a file open when trying to install/update the new version as it forces you to close all apps before it'll continue. This answer isn't helpful. There's obviously a glitch.

[l5381453]

Agreed, I'm having the same issue. The standing answer should not be to simply reinstall 2024. My InDesign opened a file the one time 2025 actually launched, then crashed on startup every time after. Now 2024 says the file is too new to open! Adobe needs to fix this issue asap and should not release software that's clearly not ready, given this major, critical issue.

[kristen_1476]

Same problem here...so frustrating 😞

[JAD_the_mad]

Same problem here. I installed Indesign 2025 and 80 page book I was working on refused to open without any error messages.. just nothing. Other documents with the same fonts and styling opened without issues. I have backup copies in time machine going back to August and none of them opened. I sent the file to Adobe who said it was down to corrupted links and sent me the file back... which didn't open!

This morning I reinstalled the 2024 version and my original file opened without any problems.  

Great news for my book but now I'm stuck in the 2024 version and newer jobs have been saved in the 2025 version so I cannot access them until I update again! With these new jobs I tried the reverse conversion process but it doesn't work.

This is completely unacceptable. Adobe needs to sort this out urgently.

[thekohlervillager]

Yeah, this is dumb. I do a monthly newspaper and reuse the previous month's file for the next issue as a template. I can open October, but not November, which I just finished. So I tried copying/pasting each page from Nov. into the Oct. file template, but everything I pasted on each page is grouped into one frame that I can't ungroup. So basically there's no way to open November in Indesign 2025 without completely redoing the layout. Good thing it's all proofread and off to print! 😖

[JAD_the_mad]

Hi Everyone, I've had a reply from Adobe and they are working on a fix for this which will be part of the next update. Although they did not say when that woud be. If you are able to install the 2024 version and open your files, then from there you can save them as idml files and following this you might be able to open them in the 2025 version. If it works you'll need to relink all links. in your document.