Font: Get rid of Noto Sans from font list!

[rgbnites]

Hello. Wondering if they came up with a way to eliminate the font "Noto Sans" from the Photoshop and Illustrator font list. The list is so long and distracting!

Can anyone tell me why this font with blank characters is so important that they are essential for Apple's OS system? Are these fonts programmed to send Apple user information?

[creative explorer]

@rgbnites those ▢ ▢▢ are displayed as a square box instead of the expected characters, it's often because the system is missing the necessary font that contains the glyph (the specific letter or symbol) needed to render the text. It's main reason is to provide comprehensive character support for nearly all written languages in the world, the square boxes that appear when a system lacks a font for a specific character. It's not about "blank characters" but ensuring no characters are blank or missing, which is why it's incredibly important for operating systems like Apple's macOS to include them for universal text rendering and international compatibility. 

Can you just remove it? Short anwer? No, you cannot safely remove system-installed Noto fonts from your macOS, BUT you can manage their visibility within Adobe applications. To reduce distraction from your font list in Photoshop and Illustrator, you can use the macOS Font Book application to disable Noto Sans or specific Noto sub-families that you don't actively use. Disabling them in Font Book hides them from most applications' font menus without deleting them from your system, thus preserving crucial OS functionality while decluttering your design environment. That's what I have done. 

[ExUSA]

Many of the bundled fonts cannot be disabled with Font Book. Its dependent on where they are installed.

[rgbnites]

Come to think of it? I disabled the Noto fonts in Font Book, and it still invades Adobe Photoshop, etc. And the new Photoshop type interface is terrible. Many of my old fonts, which I purchased back in the eighties, no longer work, including some Myriad fonts. Also, when scrolling through the list looking for a job, it doesn't leave off at the last selection, but winds back up to the top. This Noto thing makes Adobe Type function even worse. The only thing worse than the Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator type function is Adobe Acrobat- OMG!)

[ExUSA]

Your old fonts are Type 1, which are no longer supported by Apple, Adobe, or Microsoft unfortunately.

If you have a lot of fonts, look into using a commercial font manager. These used to be a lot more important but are still around if a lightweight solution like Font Book isn't enough.

[easilydistracted]

How did you manage to disable a system font? The option is always greyed out for those. Apple support pages state: "Important: You can’t remove or deactivate system fonts." Please share your workaround!

source: https://support.apple.com/guide/font-book/remove-deactivate-or-activate-fonts-fntb2bcb512d/mac

[Anshul_Saini]

Hi @easilydistracted!

You’re absolutely correct, macOS does not allow you to remove or fully deactivate system fonts like Noto Sans because they’re required for OS functionality. The option will remain greyed out in Font Book, and Apple specifically prevents these fonts from being removed.

To reduce the clutter within Adobe apps by managing how fonts are displayed:

1. Use the “Favorites” option in the Photoshop font panel to keep frequently used fonts easily accessible. (This won’t remove Noto Sans but minimizes distraction.)

2. Third-party font managers can help organize and activate only the fonts you need for design work, without interfering with system requirements.

Unfortunately, there is no Apple-approved method for completely disabling Noto Sans, which is part of macOS’s international text rendering system.

I hope this clears things up!

Best,

Anshul Saini

[rgbnites]

Reply to Creative Explorer (the way this interface is set up, I can't tell who I'm replying to): Thank you for your well thought of prompt reply. You have answered all my questions and doubts. I will try to turn off Noto agogo in Font Book. If universal language capability is good for peace, love and understanding I wouldn't mind so much, but i'm afraid it will be used more for marketing and scams. C’est la vie !

[rgbnites]

Thank you for your reply, Qazi. Question: What does Google have to do with my graphic applications? Who asked Google to have access to my Apple computer? I don't want to communicate with foreigners unless I'm making money from them, like Google. Google should pay me to use my computer, power, and internet subscription for their marketing.  And pardon me by asking, "Font management by Implant Dentures?"

[ExUSA]

You do realize that most countries have a mix of languages in active use? And its not "foreigners" but native-born citizens? Some countries (Canada, for instance) even have more than one official language.

Google is just a software provider in this instance, they created a number of fonts and released them for public use. In fact, Google has one of the best free font archives online. I'm not a fan of Google whatsoever but fairness calls for recognizing when they do something positive for the community.

[jane-e]

Are these fonts programmed to send Apple user information?

By @rgbnites

Probably not 😊, but no one on the Adobe forums can answer that Apple question for you!

When replying, type the "at" character (@) and select or type the name of the person you are responding to.

Jane