InDesign 2025(version 20.3) Selection not working(mac only)

[Stein99]

I am trying to use the new 2025 version of InDesign - but it is really unusable. Running latest version (20.3) on Macos (15.4). Mac Studio with M2 Max CPU and 32 GB memory.

One major issue I am having is that when I select a text box, it will actually not select the box until I move the mouse again. I click the box and nothing happens. When I start moving the mouse - it suddenly gets selected. If I do not move the mouse - nothing is selected - until I move the mouse. This makes it impossible to use.

I've seen some tip on Document Font folder or Contextual Task Bar or Magnet app - but none of those are relevant for me.

InDesign 2024 version (19.5.2) works fine and it does not have these issues.

I did a test on my Macbook Pro (Apple Silicon) - and no issue there - even using the same mouse as on the Mac Studio.

I see some posts that Adobe has fixed InDesign with latest update - but that is definitely not correct...

I uploaded a video to YouTube showing the issue. In the video one can see the pointer icon changing to the selection symbol when I actually click, but as you can see, the text box is not actually selected until I move the pointer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erPZA0_w7gM

Any ideas?

<Title renmaed by MOD>

[cyclopsdx]

Since the numerous problems I was encountering with 20.2 I have been using 19.5.2 version for weeks and I have LITERALLY just opened up my files this morning and this issue has started. It seems to be older (2023-ish) files. Luckily I had the idml vesions to hand and when I opened those I didn't get the issue. I've resaved the .idml files as .indd where I can but I've also just noticed a 19.5.3 bug fix available - does this resolve the issue? Madness that this is only just happening for me when I've been using it for weeks with no problems.

[Sanyam Talwar]

@cyclopsdx The issue is fixed in InDesign 2024 v19.5.3 and later versions. Also, please update to InDesign 2025 v20.3.1 as it contains critical bug fixes.

[Stein99]

@Sanyam Talwar The issue IS NOT fixed in 20.4. I am still stuck with 19.x.

[defaulttdqpgd7j97yv]

It is absolutely not fixed here either. Very disapointing.

[Stein99]

@Abhishek Rao I installed version 20.4 when it recently was released, but it was not fixed in that release either. Do you have any ETA on the fix for this issue? Version 2025 (20.x) is not usable because of this - and I am stuck with using version 2024 (19.x).

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @Stein99,

I wanted to let you know that our product team has already worked on this and the fix is available in the latest InDesign 20.5 release. Please update to 20.5 and give it a try, it should resolve the selection issue you've been experiencing when GPU performance is off.

Do let me know how it goes once you've had a chance to test on your setup.

Best,
Abhishek

[Stein99]

I can confirm that the fix is working in 20.5 - thanks!

But there is an issue which I think is related - that still is an issue. When zooming in/out using mouse wheel+Opt key, sometimes the document is not refreshed until mouse is moved after zooming (it shows the old zoom level). This is kind of the same issue as here - where the selection was not done until mouse was moved. Can I send you a document that has this issue for you to investigate/reproduce?

[defaulttdqpgd7j97yv]

The elephant in the room hasn't been adressed though, apparently? GPU shouldn't have to off in the first place, on very recent Macs. Here, GPU does work (for whatever reason) on an M4 MBP and doesn't on an M4 Mac Mini, still. CPU bugs on the latter still exist with 20.5, zooming in and out requires further cursor movement to update the screen. I'd rather have you work on implementing GPU performance, honestly.

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @defaulttdqpgd7j97yv,

Thanks a lot for sharing your observations. Since the selection issue has already been fixed in 20.5, I'd recommend creating a new post specifically about the zoom behavior you're seeing on your Mac Mini so that both us and other experts in the community can better assist. If possible, please also include a short screen recording demonstrating the problem, as that will give us a clear heads-up on what's happening on your end.

Looking forward to your update.

Best,
Abhishek

[Stein99]

@Abhishek Rao 

I have created a new bug report for this issue.

Please have a look at:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign-discussions/indesign-redraw-bug-when-zooming-in-out-using-op...

[defaulttdqpgd7j97yv]

Hi Abhishek Rao,

again, my issue is the elephant: GPU performance not being available on recent M4 Macs. I HAVE created a post called "GPU not utilized on M4 Macs?" back in May. You moved it here. Can you undo that? That's the bigger issue. It is not solved. It should have an own thread. 

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @defaulttdqpgd7j97yv,

I've unmerged your post and replied to you directly on the original thread, so we can keep the GPU performance discussion separate. Please check there, and we'll continue from that post.

Best,
Abhishek

[Stein99]

I am trying to use the new 2025 version of InDesign - but it is really unusable. Running latest version (20.1) on latest Macos (15.3.1). Mac Studio with M2 Max CPU and 32 GB memory.

One major issue I am having is that when I select a text box, it will actually not select the box until I move the mouse again. I click the box and nothing happens. When I start moving the mouse - it suddenly gets selected. If I do not move the mouse - nothing is selected - until I move the mouse. This makes it impossible to use.

I've seen some tip on Document Font folder or Contextual Task Bar or Magnet app - but none of those are relevant for me.

I had to downgrade to 2024 version (19.5.2) which don't have these issues and are usable.

I did a test on my Macbook Pro (Apple Silicon) - and no issue there - even using the same mouse as on the Mac Studio.

I see some posts that Adobe has fixed InDesign with latest update - but that is definitely not correct...

I uploaded a video to YouTube showing the issue. In the video one can see the pointer icon changing to the selection symbol when I actually click, but as you can see, the text box is not actually selected until I move the pointer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erPZA0_w7gM

Any ideas?

[leo.r]

It looks like you're describing a bug that was introduced in InDesign 20.1 (there are multiple recent threads about similar issues). Try to revert to InDesign 20.0.1 (CC app > InDesign > Other Versions menu). Also, InDesign 20.2 has just been released today although it's not available in all countries yet.

[Stein99]

Yes, seems like you are correct. It works fine in 20.0.1. Lets hope it is fixed in the new version - does not seem that I have access to it yet though.

@leo.rUnfortunately, the bug still exists in 20.2.

[Stein99]

I hoped this was fixed in 20.2, but unfortunately not. Same issue persists.

[defaultmg8v8cie6mnf]

I am on version 20.3.1 and am having these same issues.  Are there any work arounds?

TIA!

[HARSHIKA_VERMA]

Hi defaultmg8v8cie6mnf,

Thanks for reaching out. We assume you're experiencing a similar issue mentioned here. If yes, the product team has already worked on this, and the fix is available in the latest InDesign 20.5 release.

Please update to 20.5 and try it. It should resolve the selection issue you've been experiencing when GPU performance is off.

Let us know how it goes. Awaiting your response.

Thanks,

Harshika