Unable to log into photoshop cc 2018

[Gregg Hartley]

Hi, I have been a Photoshop subscriber for many years. I have found from v2020 to v2023 to be unstable, so I wanted to go back to cc 2018.

I installed it and when I try to log in it says no subscription found.

I reached out to live chat, got cut off when they tried to put me through to technical support and when I eventually got to ask someone for help they directed me here.

Could I please get some help logging into cc 2018 please?

Im on windows 10 by the way.

Thank you.

[jane-e]

@Gregg Hartley 

If you have a valid subscription to Photoshop through Adobe, then sign into Creative Cloud with your Adobe ID and password. Photoshop CC is subscription only.

Jane

[Gregg Hartley]

As I said I have been a subscriber for many years. When I open the app the sign in required pop-up comes up. I sign in with my adobe id, and I am greeted with the licence agreement. I accept and presented with the trial or licence this software options. I click licence this software, and it says no subscription found.

I can open v2020 - v2023 no problem.

[mglush]

Hi!

Do you currently have a valid subscription to the Creative Cloud? If not, then I think that is why you are getting the Subscription Error message. If you do, then here is some information from another thread that I found that explains a little more of what is going on, and may help your situation:

Only the latest two versions of the Creative Cloud apps are supported and available for download. You can try and download the older versions of the Creative Cloud apps from the following website. If the links mentioned on the website don't work, then it means that Adobe has discontinued providing the download and genuine installers are not available anymore. Be circumspect if someone contacts you claiming to provide an installer in such a case.

https://prodesigntools.com/adobe-cc-2018-direct-download-links.html

So if you are able to download an installer using the link above you will be able to use it with a valid subscription of CC. However, do note that you will not get any support from Adobe or any updates to your CC2018 installation. So you get limited value for your subscription.
-Manan

Let us know if this helps, or if you are still facing the same problem.

Michelle

[Gregg Hartley]

Thanks Michelle.

Of course, I have a photoshop subscription.

The website you are linking me to is where I got the cc 2018 version as I couldn't get that from the latest creative cloud app.

[mglush]

I was just rereading your response to Jane--what happens when you select trial? Are you able to open the software?

Michelle

[Gregg Hartley]

I just tried, yes I can open the trial.

[mglush]

What does the Help menu say--open the Help menu, and see what your options are to make it permanent.

[jane-e]

@Gregg Hartley 

Try the four steps here for when Photoshop reverts to trial and let us know:

https://helpx.adobe.com/manage-account/kb/stop-creative-cloud-trial-mode-after-purchase.html

Jane

[Gregg Hartley]

Help says I am signed in. So I dont really understand what is happening. Even the creative cloud app says 'open' , no trial days etc etc.

[Gregg Hartley]

I signed out of creative cloud. Ran the limited access repair tool and then restarted my machine. Signed back into CC and launched photoshop cc 2018, and its still in trail mode.

I clicked the 6days left button. It took me to subscription plans option, and 'buy' was under the photography plan that I use. So I went into my account and my 'photography plan' is active. Its what I have used all these years.

Will just see what happens when the trial runs out.

You get hooked into subbing and there is always a bloody issue.

Anyway, hopefully it will get sorted soon. Its nice having a snappy photoshop again without the junk.

[mglush]

Let us know if the suggestions that Jane posted work!

[Gregg Hartley]

I will. Thank you.

[Gregg Hartley]

Adobe have tried to correspond via email with me and all they have done is try their best to get me to use the latest version, suggesting to maybe use v2022 as an alternative. After a lot of back and forth they said to come onto here, the community, and they may help. So we will see what happens when the trial runs out and go from there. Will hopefully sort this. I have been an adobe customer for many years, I don't see why I can't choose to use whatever version of the product I want if I pay for it. Anyway, we will see.

[Gregg Hartley]

I wanted to update the community on my situation here.

My trial ran out today.

I opened photoshop cc 2018 (v19) and the red highlighted button says 'buy', not a trial day count down.

I have had emails from adobe regarding my case over this last week. Not helping me get cc 2018 working, but rather doing their best to get me to use the current version or at least a version from 2021 onwards, which I kept declining and told them my reasoning. Links they have provided with each email to redirect me to the adobe live chat or community. Live chat has not helped but rather just point me to the community, that is why I ended up on here in the first place.

I signed out and into creative cloud. Photoshop cc 2018 does not have a 'buy' option, it just has an 'OPEN', as to be expected seen as though I don't need to buy software I have been paying for and still have after all these years. When I open it, I am presented with trial expired. I click 'license this software' and I get a pop-up with 'no subscription found'. Funny that when I can see in my adobe account and bank account, there is indeed a subscription.

So I am at a dead end here. I don't really know what to do. I know the new photoshop has all the bells and whistles and soon all the ai crap, but I just can't help but feel a better flow using a simpler version that can stand on its own rather than bloatware I am forced to use and pay for.

[jane-e]

@Gregg Hartley 

I have no idea if this will work or if you even want to try it, but I wonder what would happen if you installed a newer version of Photoshop. Would you then be able to launch 2018?
(Be sure to check the box to not remove previous installations.)

Adobe offers the current version and one previous, but the help page for 3D says they are still offering 22.2.

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/kb/3d-faq.html#using-latest-and-discontinued-features

If you are able to install and use an older version, be sure to turn off automatic application updates (CC app). Note that PS 2024 is likely to be released on the first day of Adobe MAX on October 10. 

Jane