Unable to Open InDesign File After 2025 Update

[Visaitus24997955ef1f]

Hi
I'm have a problem with my file. I can't Open file after 20.0 updating.

It just appear coverting file pop-up only. 

So can I back to previous indesign version or can i do anything that make it open again

Thank you. 

<Title renamed by MOD>

[withawye]

same problem. V 20.0.1 won't open v 19.5 files. I'll roll back to version 19.5.1 but senseless that the first iteration of 20 won't work with any other files. 

[BACnOAK]

I'm having the same problem too. IT updated my computer to Sequoia and I updated ID to 20.x and my Adobe experience went from lightning fast to a block of wood. The combo Sequoia and ID 20.x is horrendous. So... i downgrade my ID to 19.x, and find that every file... I TALKING EVERY ID FILE I OPEN SAYS "Cannot open "xxx.indd" becasue it was saved with a newr verion of Adobe InDesign (20.0). You must use that version or later to open the file. To enable it or to be opened in this version, choos save as InDesign CS4 or later, or export to IDML." then i get to convert or open with the IDML which I rarely ever keep becasue i don't want to confuse the actual file with some second. WHY ARE WE BETA TESTING FOR ADOBE? THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN CONSIDERING WHAT WE SHELL OUT ANNUALLY!

[Abhishek Rao · Accepted solution]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for sharing your experiences, and I completely understand how frustrating this issue has been.

I wanted to let you know that this issue has been addressed in InDesign version 20.2 and above. If you haven't already, I recommend updating to the latest version of InDesign 2025. Once updated, you should be able to open your files normally without seeing the conversion error or getting stuck at the "converting file" pop-up.

If you're still facing trouble even after updating, feel free to share the file or a screen recording, and I'll be happy to take a closer look with the team.

Thanks again for your patience while we worked through this, and I hope this update helps get things running smoothly again!

Best,
Abhishek

[BACnOAK]

Six months for a reply from Adobe. How about testing your .x releases more before pushing them and turning everyone into beta testers. I demand more from a subscription model, you already have us, why piss us off?

[eliza54]

I would be on this if I wished and could upgrade, but not on an operating system recent enough, Have same exact problem, if I take it bck to 2015, which I have on an older laptop pro will it open, I was originally done on 2015. Will Adobe upgade that old Laptop antomatically when I sign in, that would be disasterous.

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @eliza54,

Thanks for sharing the details. I totally get your concern about not wanting your older laptop to update automatically.

If you still have InDesign 2015 installed, it should stay as is when you sign in, as long as you don't manually update it. Just make sure auto-update is turned off in your Creative Cloud settings.

Since the file was originally created in 2015, you should be able to open it there. Once opened, I suggest saving it as an IDML file for more flexibility later.

Let me know how it goes.

Looking forward to your update!

Abhishek