InDesign 2025 – Package not working on macOS Tahoe 26 (fails on Desktop and external volumes)

[romainduguet]

Hello,

I’m experiencing a blocking issue with the Package function in InDesign 2025 on macOS Tahoe 26.

• On macOS Sonoma 14.7, the Package function works perfectly with the same document.

• On macOS Tahoe 26, I tested on two different Macs and the issue occurs every time.

When trying File > Package…, InDesign returns the error:

InDesign could not package the document. Cannot copy the necessary linked files.

 Details:

• All links are valid (no missing or modified files).

• Fonts are activated and not missing.

• The issue happens whether I try to package to the Desktop, to a folder in Documents, or to an external volume.

• Tried with “include fonts” checked/unchecked → same issue.

• Tried saving as IDML before packaging → still fails.

This looks like a compatibility issue between InDesign and macOS Tahoe 26, possibly related to new file system permissions.

Is this a known bug? Is there a workaround or an upcoming patch?

Thanks in advance for your help!

[Randy Hagan]

It's awfully new to be a known bug — Your MacOS 26 Tahoe operating system has only been released for just over one week — but if you'd like to record it, you can do so through this link. 

For what it's worth, I'm still running MacOS 15.6.1 Sequoia on my production systems. It's still running smoothly. 

Hope this helps,

Randy

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @romainduguet,

Thanks for flagging this. Could you please confirm the exact version of InDesign 2025 you're running? Since the same file works fine on Sonoma, it would help us narrow down if this is version or OS specific. I'd also suggest giving it a try in Safe Mode to check if any third-party app or background process might be interfering. Ref: https://adobe.ly/3KC4pck.

Let me know your observations after trying this, and we can take it forward from there.

Abhishek

[leo.r]

All I know is that I can't reproduce it on macOS 26.1 beta. Can package from InDesign with no issues.

[leo.r]

P.S. Where are your links located? Local drive, cloud storage, network volume etc?

[leo.r]

I assume your links are on a network, in which case it could be a known issue with Tahoe:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign-discussions/indesign-2025-package-not-working-on-macos-tahoe...

(Although it's possible that you posted both threads anyway).

[Stephanie37140772njaf]

I'm also having this issue. After talking to our IT, I believe it's Tahoe 26.0 and 26.0.1 that are the issue since this did not happen when I was on Sonoma. 

[leo.r]

Also discussed in these threads:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign-discussions/besch%C3%A4digte-datei-%C3%B6ffnen-wenn-die-date...

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for sharing your observations. Since the issue does not appear on Sonoma but shows up consistently on Tahoe, could you please try testing once in Safe Mode(https://adobe.ly/473tfKX) to rule out any third-party apps or background processes that might be interfering. It would also help to confirm if the files you are packaging have links stored on a remote network location, cloud, or external drive. If that is the case, please try creating a new file with links saved locally on the system and then test the Package function. This will help us understand whether the problem is specific to certain storage setups or broader to the OS itself.

Looking forward to your updates.

Abhishek 

[Santi-W&S]

Same exact issue is happening here after the Tahoe 26.0 with InDesgin version 20.5. I did try moving the file to edit to the local disk and it worked.  I also read something about enblinf full disk Access on the MAC may work?  I will try to teat this and let you know.

[Anthony24539122lv9q]

Same issue here with InDesign 21.0. The only plugin is Extensis Connect. System is MacOS 26.1. Trying to package a file with links from a server triggers the following error message... "InDesign could not package the document. Cannot copy necessary linked file(s)." Any document packaged with local links works fine. Not an ideal situation when working on 100+ page catalogs. Image of error message attached.

[Abhishek Rao]

Hello @Anthony24539122lv9q,

I appreciate you providing this information. We have encountered similar instances where the Extensis font plugin may cause complications during packaging, so it would be beneficial if you could test its behavior in Safe Mode using the previously shared link. This will help determine if the plugin is the cause of the packaging failure in your environment.

I also consulted with the product team regarding this issue. The team suggested attempting an AFP connection instead of SMB, as this has assisted some customers in circumventing the issue. You can check Connect to a network drive with AFP | Seagate India for instructions on changing the connection type.

Could you please try that and inform me if it enhances the behavior?

Once I receive your feedback, I can relay it to the team and proceed with the investigation.

Abhishek

[HARSHIKA_VERMA]

Hi Anthony24539122lv9q

Hope you're doing well!

Did you get a chance to try the suggestion shared by Abhishek above? Please let us know if that works for you. 

We would love to investigate this further.

Thanks,

Harshika

[Anthony24539122lv9q]

Hello,

Extensis Connect is up to date with version 28. I can confirm that starting in Safe Mode did not resolve the InDesign packaging problem. I can also confirm that I am able to package Illustrator files that contain server links when using the same SMB connection. Connecting with AFP is does resolve the InDesign problem.

[Anubhav M]

Hello @Anthony24539122lv9q,

Thanks for confirming. Could you try updating to the latest release version of InDesign (https://adobe.ly/480x3fj) and letting us know if it helps?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Anubhav

[Anthony24539122lv9q]

InDeisgn was updated to 21.0.1 two days ago. The udpdate was run as soon as Adobe pushed it out in hopes of resolving the problem. The udpate did not help.

[Anubhav M]

Hello @Anthony24539122lv9q,

Thanks for sharing the details. Could you also try the suggestions in this help article (https://adobe.ly/4r39Bqt) if you're using an SMB server and sharing your observations.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Anubhav