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LyntonJones
Participant
May 12, 2020
Answered

Lightroom 6 won't open without Adobe Application Manager on macOS Catalina

  • May 12, 2020
  • 3 replies
  • 4546 views

I'm running Lightroom 6 on a Macbook Pro 2020 (MacOS10.5.4). As my Photoshop CS6 stopped working on my Mac after the last update I deleted it from the Mac. Now when I try to open Lightroom 6 it tells me that Adobe Application Manager is missuing or damaged. But when I download a new version of AAM and I go through the setting up process at the the end it stops and says ERROR - contact the developer.

 

How do I get Lightroom to work? Help!

 

 

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This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer LyntonJones

Did you try to install the Crestive Cloud app like Nikunj suggested? I read somewhere that this can solve the application manager problem because it's more or less the new version of the application manager.


I did try this yesterday. I was able to install Creative Cloud but it did not recognise that I already own a copy of Lightroom (but it did recognise that I owned a copy of Photoshop) and was asking me to try a new version. I clicked on this and immediately got the alert that AAM was missing or damaged so I gave up. However, this morning after your post I did the same thing and still got the same missing AAM message. But I left this on the screen for a bit and to my amazement Lightroom began to run. It is now running OK (fingers crossed!) with my photos on it.

3 replies

D
David6C12
Participant
September 12, 2020

I have not had the same fortune as the OP. My Lightroom 6 is not opening after the AAM alert is dismissed.

 

Any recommendations before I swith to another software package and to another company that honors my purchases?

dj_paige
dj_paige
Legend
January 21, 2021

LR 6 requires the Adobe Creative Cloud Application. Re-install it (if you can on your operating system) and LR 6 should work.

K
Kang-Chun5FE9
Participant
January 21, 2021

Could you share teh download link please? I've repaired the creative cloud application- it's working fine and LR 6 is recognized- but it's refusing to open. Thanks so much~

GoldingD
GoldingD
Legend
May 13, 2020

Are you saying that you are trying to install Lightroom 6 onto a MAC  with MACOS  Catalina?

 

While Lightroom 6 is a 64-bit App, the installer is a 32-bit App. Catalina absolutely refuses to install 32-bit Apps. So, you cannot install the installer application, and without the installer application you cannot install Lightroom 6. 

 

see:

 

https://www.lightroomqueen.com/lightroom-macos-catalina-compatibility/

 

One possable workaround, maybe, have not tried, install a virtual OS, a virtual machine,  install the misbehaving program, then in Catalina, see if Lightroom 6,etc, will run. Google that.

 

 

 

 

L
LyntonJonesAuthor
Participant
May 13, 2020

I have had Lightroom 6 installed on my Mac for some considerable time. I knew that my Photoshop CS6 would stop working because it was a 32 bit App. However, I also knew that Lightroom was a 64 bit App and so assumed that when I installed Catalina onto my Mac that Lightroom would continue working as I did not need to reinstall it. However, it transpires that in order to run on Catalina it needs to verify that I am the authorised owner of the App, and to do this it needs to use the Adobe Application Manager (AAM) which is, of course, 32 bit. So I have a 64 bit OS, a 64 bit App but a small verification program which is 32 bit and which is preventing me from running Lightroom for which I paid good money.

 

I find Adobe's inabolity to allow me access to a program which can, in principle, run on Catalina, absolutely outrageous.

    JohanElzenga
    Community Expert
    JohanElzengaCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    May 13, 2020

    Did you try to install the Crestive Cloud app like Nikunj suggested? I read somewhere that this can solve the application manager problem because it's more or less the new version of the application manager.

    -- Johan W. Elzenga
    nikunj.m
    Community Manager
    nikunj.mCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    May 12, 2020

    Hi there,

     

    We are sorry about the experience with Lightroom 6 and the application manager. Lightroom 6 is not compatible with macOS Catalina. Please check: https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom-classic/kb/macos-catalina-compatibility.html

     

    You can try installing the Creative Cloud using the link mentioned below to check if that helps.

    https://helpx.adobe.com/download-install/kb/creative-cloud-desktop-app-download.html#ProblemsinstallingTryalternativedownloadlinks

     

    Regards,

    Nikunj

    R
    ricc61423048
    Participating Frequently
    September 12, 2020

    Odd, I was using Lightroom 6 on my new Catalina iMac 2020 this afternoon, imported photos, altered them and output them. I later shut down the machine. When later reopening it, Lightroom 6 will NOW not launch. I KNOW it works because I worked on it. But, now it has quit opening.

    D
    David6C12
    Participant
    September 12, 2020

    Maybe you and I are the victim of the same bad timing? 😉

     

    Please let me know if you find a workaround. I am currently wrestling with the time/inconvenience of switching software vs. finding a Terminal-based workaround or the like.

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