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Aaron5C23
Participant
September 1, 2020
Answered

InDesign Not Compatible

  • September 1, 2020
  • 5 replies
  • 16603 views

Hello!

I'm required to download InDesign (and other Adobe Creative Cloud programs) for a class I'm taking at my university. However, every time I try to download InDesign, it says that my computer is "Not Compatible." Whenever I click on the "Not Compatible" button, I get this message: "If you would like to install InDesign, you must update your system" (I attached an image of the pop-up if that helps)! However, when I go to update my computer, it shows that I'm all up-to-date (I also attached an image of the message). I'm not very tech-savvy, but I'm pretty sure my computer should be compatible with InDesign and other Adobe Creative Cloud Programs. I use a MacBook Air that I got in January of 2016. Let me know if there are any solutions that you know of!

Thanks!

Correct answer Randy Hagan

Hi Aaron.

 

On your Mac, there are actually two places where you can find updates. If you go to your Apple menu>App Store... menu command and check the Updates panel, this will often list only the individual applications within your OS that need updates, not always the MacOS itself. If you return to the Home panel, at the top you will see the opportunity to update to the latest version of the MacOS for your system, with a Download button.

 

If you open your Apple Menu>Settings menu command and open the Notifications icon, (your first hint might be that there is a red circle at the upper-right of the icon), you may also see a notification to update your operating system.

 

Before you do that, be advised that any 32-bit applications, or 32-bit applications adapted to run in a 64-bit environment, you have installed on your Mac will be obsoleted by the upgrade to the latest version MacOS Catalina 10.15.6. As long as that isn't an issue, getting your 2016 MacBook Air up to speed with Catalina should let you be able to run Creative Cloud 2020 apps. Not quickly — the minimum requirement for 4GB of RAM is more realistically 8GB with a lot of patience, and preferably a minimum of 16GB to run multiple apps smoothly.

 

Good luck,

 

Randy

5 replies

Barb Binder
Community Expert
Barb BinderCommunity Expert
Community Expert
February 2, 2022

Hi @Susie229495298xer:

 

From a Mac perspective, you can visit the Apple forum to ask about upgrading the OS: 

https://www.apple.com/ug/macos/how-to-upgrade/

 

From an InDesign perspective, you can install either of the last two releases: 2021 and 2022. Since this post is two years old, here are the system requirements for 2022:

https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/system-requirements.html

 

And the requirements for 2021:

https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/system-requirements/2021.html

 

If your computer doesn't meet the listed system requirements, you will need to upgrade the computer to run InDesign. 

 

~Barb

~Barb at Rocky Mountain Training
K
krystian_9601
Participant
May 8, 2025

How it is that on the same computer same windows Indesign is working on one installation and it is not working on the other ? Is there a bug ? 

 

E
Community Expert
Eugene TysonCommunity Expert
Community Expert
May 8, 2025

Hi,

More details :

Same PC same version of windows. Restored from two different images more software installed etc but the windows update version is the same. 

 

Version of Indesign is 2025 

 

Edition Windows 10 Home
Version 2009
Installed on ‎21/‎09/‎2021
OS Build 19045.5608

 

After power cycle it is fine and I am able to install it. 

 

I really appreciate the quick reposnse 

 

regards, 

 

Krystian 

 


Ah the old reboot - standard IT Meme - 'did you try turn it on and off'

 

If you face more issues do let us know. Feel free to start your own discussions too.

    S
    Susie229495298xer
    Participant
    February 1, 2022

    I am having the same issues with my IOs not being compatable.  I am running Sierra and my computer was purchased in 2010.  When I try to update my IOs it says that there are no updates available?

    What can be done to update my Adobe Suite to work at home?

    BobLevine
    Community Expert
    BobLevineCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    February 2, 2022

    I'll be blunt here. It's time for a new computer.

    Randy Hagan
    Community Expert
    Randy HaganCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    September 1, 2020

    Hi Aaron.

     

    On your Mac, there are actually two places where you can find updates. If you go to your Apple menu>App Store... menu command and check the Updates panel, this will often list only the individual applications within your OS that need updates, not always the MacOS itself. If you return to the Home panel, at the top you will see the opportunity to update to the latest version of the MacOS for your system, with a Download button.

     

    If you open your Apple Menu>Settings menu command and open the Notifications icon, (your first hint might be that there is a red circle at the upper-right of the icon), you may also see a notification to update your operating system.

     

    Before you do that, be advised that any 32-bit applications, or 32-bit applications adapted to run in a 64-bit environment, you have installed on your Mac will be obsoleted by the upgrade to the latest version MacOS Catalina 10.15.6. As long as that isn't an issue, getting your 2016 MacBook Air up to speed with Catalina should let you be able to run Creative Cloud 2020 apps. Not quickly — the minimum requirement for 4GB of RAM is more realistically 8GB with a lot of patience, and preferably a minimum of 16GB to run multiple apps smoothly.

     

    Good luck,

     

    Randy

    Barb Binder
    Community Expert
    Barb BinderCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    September 1, 2020

    Hi Aaron:

     

    Here are the system requirements for InDesign. Start by working your way down the list. If your system falls short of these specs, InDesign will not install.

     

    ~Barb 

    ~Barb at Rocky Mountain Training
    Dov Isaacs
    Dov Isaacs
    Legend
    September 1, 2020

    What version of MacOS are you running? You may need to update your MacOS version if you are still running the MacOS version that was current when you bought your computer over four years ago.

     

    - Dov Isaacs, former Adobe Principal Scientist (April 30, 1990 - May 30, 2021)
    C
    CosmicCat7
    Participant
    August 30, 2025

    Hi - The Adobe website states that InDesign is compatible with my software. This is why I purchased again. Once I got the software - and installed - it stated I had to upgrade?????

    Dave Creamer of IDEAS
    Community Expert
    Dave Creamer of IDEASCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    August 30, 2025

    Where did you get those specs? They might have been valid for older versions of InDesign, but not the current version. (Also, note that this thread is from 2020, so any information in it is potentionally outdated.) 

    David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)
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