Performance Issues with InDesign 2025 on MacBook Pro M2 Max (96GB RAM)

[MarcinKanonik]

Creating some stuff in this indesign 2025, it's a nightmare, everything lags, it runs slowly, moving fonts and paragraphs jumps, I did all the things like resetting settings etc.

why doesn't it run as smoothly as illustrator?

my computer macbook pro m2 max, 96gb ram.

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[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @MarcinKanonik,

I'm sorry to hear that you're facing these performance issues with InDesign 2025, especially on such a powerful setup. I understand how frustrating it can be when things aren't running smoothly.

Please take a look at the steps outlined in these links that address slow performance and unexpected behavior in InDesign:

• Resolve Slow Performance and Unexpected Behavior
• Troubleshooting Slow Performance in InDesign

Let us know if following these steps helps improve the performance. If the issue persists, feel free to share any additional details!

Best,
Abhishek

[andreasg40056187]

Nothing helped but thanks for the links. I'm still having the same and more problems and only with InDesign 2025. Especially when it comes to images. InDesign 2025 freezes when drag and drop images from folder into InDesign or open Images in PS coming back to InDesign update the image.

When it comes to bigger files like magazins you will come to a point when moving the pages it takes hours. If i have some vector files copied from AI to ID and i press "w" for a clean view it streches the colors over all pages in all directions like the vector path exlodes. so i press "w" several times and go to other pages to get back the normal view.

Sometimes the crashes are that heavy that we have to rebuild older files from the backup. sometimes the files are completly broken. happened four times already.

etc etc … i came from Quark XPress in past and worked with all InDesign Versions since years. Adobe never released such an unstable, slow and buggy Version. I can highly recommend not to install 2025 and stay on 2024.

With InDesign 2024 everything works super fast and stable. So i convert all 2025 files now to 2024 version. 

Mac Book Pro 2021, Apple M1 Max 32 GB

[robinj91393342]

EVERYTHING is running super slow this morning with InDesign 2025 update. A nuisance since it's the main software I use. Even something as simple as choosing trying to select "Object" from the menu takes a few seconds to "wake up" InDesign.

I'm on an iMac 2020 with a 32 RAM and 3.3 ghz 6-core Intel Core i5 processsor. Help.

[leo.r]

Do the troubleshooting steps mentioned earlier here help?

If not, then it looks like plenty of other users experience similar issues with InDesign 2025 right now.

Does InDesign 2024 still work for you normally? If you have overwritten the 2024 installation, you can re-install it as a separate installation form Creative Cloud app.

[MarcinKanonik]

I found a solution to the problem! I uninstalled version 2025 and installed 19.5 - version 2025 is unusable, usually switching from illustrator to indesign takes 3 seconds, the program freezes, to move fonts you have to wait 2 seconds until it catches - this is the increased efficiency.. a joke

[vonseydewitz]

’m experiencing a very similar issue since the recent updates to InDesign 2025. For me, the software has also become almost unusable, especially when it comes to performance.

Whenever I select or move an object, it takes several seconds before the action is actually completed. This delay makes it nearly impossible to work efficiently.

Additionally, the Activity Monitor on macOS (latest version, InDesign 2025, M2 processor) shows that InDesign often uses over 100% CPU, sometimes as high as 109%. This behavior is far from normal.

If anyone has a solution or if Adobe has released any information about this issue, I’d greatly appreciate the help!

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @vonseydewitz,

Thank you for sharing the details, and I'm sorry to hear about the performance issues you're experiencing with InDesign 2025. To help us troubleshoot further, could you provide the following details?

1. Which version of macOS are you currently using?
2. Does the lag occur with all InDesign documents, or is it specific to a particular file?

To narrow down the issue, please try the following:

1. Test with a New Document:

   • Create a completely new InDesign document and test if the same performance issues occur. This can help identify if the problem is related to specific documents or a broader software issue.

2. Test in Safe Mode:

   • Restart your Mac in Safe Mode by following the instructions here: Start up your Mac in safe mode.
   • Open InDesign in Safe Mode and test the issue to see if there's any improvement.

3. Activity Monitor Check:

   • Monitor InDesign's CPU usage in Activity Monitor while working in Safe Mode. Let us know if the CPU usage still spikes to unusual levels.

Your feedback will help us pinpoint the problem more accurately. Let me know how these tests go, and if the issue persists, we’ll explore further options.

Best, 

Abhishek Rao

[vonseydewitz]

Hi Abhishekm,

Thank you for your response. The issue I’m experiencing with high CPU usage occurs exclusively with InDesign 2025 (version 20.0). I’ve tested this thoroughly:

•The problem persists in Safe Mode with no noticeable improvement.

•It happens regardless of whether I’m working with a new, empty document or an existing, filled one.

•In fact, even when no document is open, InDesign generates a significant CPU load in idle mode, which impacts the overall system performance.

I’ve also observed the high CPU usage through the Activity Monitor, as you suggested. Even in Safe Mode, the CPU spikes remain unusually high.

Let me know if there are any other steps I can try, or if you need more details.

Best regards,

vonseydewitz

[Zane_E]

I, too have big lagging issues with 2025 (v20). I reinstalled v19.5, which works great; the only issue is I've been working in v20, so I would have to migrate all my files back to v19.5 to open, and there's no option to downgrade a Book (v20 book won't open on v19.5) so I'd have to recreate these in v19.5. Also, I'm working with others (Mac & PC), so they'll have to downgrade, too, or else all files will end up being v20 again. Urgg...

Please fix it, and no, I'm not interested in solving your issues by posting machine specs, logs, testing in safe mode, etc. If I wanted to do that, I'd be using free open-source software, or getting a paycheck from Adobe.

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @Zane_E,  

Thank you for sharing your experience. I completely understand how frustrating this must be—especially with compatibility challenges while collaborating. I truly apologize for the issues with InDesign 2025.  

In the meantime, we would like to bring to your attention that we’ve logged a bug related to the spinning beach ball on macOS Sequoia. Could you kindly share the version of macOS you’re using? If you’re on a different OS, would you be open to continuing some troubleshooting steps to help us pinpoint the issue?

Your feedback has been noted, and we’re actively working to resolve these performance issues.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Best,
Abhishek Rao  

[Elisabeth5ED5]

I'm experiencing some very similar issues on the machine whose specs are below. Unfortunately there aren't any older version available as publicized here (https://helpx.adobe.com/download-install/using/install-previous-version.html); there is no option for an "older version" in the Creative Cloud app. I need to downgrade to 2024; is there any other way to do that? Thanks!

[BobLevine]

Try signing out of Creative Cloud desktop app and then sign back in.

[Zane_E]

MacOS 15.1.1 on a Macbook Pro, M2 Max, 32GB, 1TB. Thank you for your reply.

Z.

[craig_0866]

I am also experiencing this issue soley with 2025 InDesign on an iMac Pro with macOS Sequoia 15.2 (and also had issues on 15.1). 2024 version works just fine. This is not exclusive to Apple Silicon macs.

[BobLevine]

If any of you on Mac are using Magnet, uninstall it.

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi Everyone,

I'm sorry to hear about the frustrating performance issues you're encountering with InDesign 2025. Since this problem appears to persist across multiple setups, I’d recommend testing the following additional steps to rule out external factors:

1. Some users have reported significant slowdowns when Time Machine is actively running or indexing in the background. Temporarily turn it off to see if performance improves.
2. Window management tools like Magnet or similar apps that interact with macOS windows can sometimes interfere with Adobe software. Try disabling or uninstalling them temporarily.
3. This may sound unconventional, but try running InDesign offline (disconnect Wi-Fi or Ethernet). Sometimes, background sync processes or licensing checks can impact performance. Test if the lag reduces while offline.

If any of these steps provide temporary relief or uncover a specific cause, please share your findings so we can help Adobe pinpoint the issue further.

In the meantime, reverting to InDesign 2024 (v19.5) seems to remain the most stable workaround for many users. I hope we addresses this urgently with an update soon.

Let us know if these steps help!

Best, 

Abhishek Rao 

[T_Wall_]

Reverting to v19.5 made a difference. I'll never understand how software gets released with that many issues, it was not usable.

[Abhishek Rao]

Hello everyone,

Here is a Community link with similar performance issues where the product team has provided troubleshooting steps and workarounds:

InDesign 2025 performance issues on Mac M1: Spinning Beach Ball and Crashes in 2024 version

You can check it out for further insights and solutions!

Best, 

Abhishek