Adobe Illustrator and InDesign Not Working Properly with macOS High Sierra - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Adobe Illustrator and InDesign Not Working Properly with macOS High Sierra

by

Adobe this week recommended customers using its Illustrator and InDesign software hold off from updating to the new macOS High Sierra operating system. Illustrator and InDesign have not been updated for High Sierra and there are some incompatibility issues that prevent the apps from working properly.

With Illustrator, users are seeing errors after upgrading to the new Apple File System. Illustrator pops up errors during installation, and, for already-installed software, there are problems with launching the app, opening a file, and creating a document. A separate problem leads to color management issues, while a third affects the rendering of Brushes, Live Corner widgets, and more.

adobeillustratorindesign
While there are workarounds for the GPU issues in Illustrator, there is no fix for the problem with APFS. Adobe says its engineers are working on a complete solution for a future Illustrator CC update.

As for InDesign, the cursor appears as a pixelated box, also a problem with no current solution. Adobe engineers are working on a fix to correct the problem as soon as possible.

Adobe recommends customers test their software on a non-production partition to make sure the update is compatible with current hardware and drivers before committing to a macOS High Sierra install. The company also says customers may wish to remain on an older version of macOS until the issues are addressed in updates.

Following the release of a new Mac update, there are often problems with software for a few weeks as developers work to add in support for new features and address incompatibilities.

For other apps that have issues, take a look at our forums, where MacRumors readers have compiled a comprehensive list of apps that have bugs or are incompatible with the macOS High Sierra update.

Other major apps that don’t work properly right now include Autodesk AutoCAD 2017, Civilization V, DiskWarrior 5.0, Ulysses 3, 2Do, and Transmit Version 5, among others.

Also of note, Microsoft Office for Mac 2011 is no longer being updated and is not compatible with macOS High Sierra. Microsoft does not plan to add support for the High Sierra update.

Tag: Adobe
Related Forum: macOS High Sierra

Top Rated Comments

mudflap Avatar
112 months ago
Once again Adobe has no excuse. They had access to the High Sierra betas just like any other developer, for months. They could've had all their apps ready to go the day 10.13 was released. But no. Because Adobe.
Score: 56 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dan9700 Avatar
112 months ago
Developer's have 3 months to test and get the software ready and its never enough that when its ready for prime time they have issues what do they do for 3 months when its in beta?!?
Score: 50 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheWatchfulOne Avatar
112 months ago
Adobe this week recommended customers using its Illustrator ('https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/kb/illustrator-and-mac-os-high-sierra.html') and InDesign ('https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/kb/indesign-and-mac-os-high-sierra.html') software hold off from updating to the new macOS High Sierra operating system. Illustrator and InDesign have not been updated for High Sierra and there are some incompatibility issues that prevent the apps from working properly.
I, on the other hand, recommend users update to High Sierra and find some non-Adobe graphics software to use. Permanently. But that's just me.
Score: 36 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nrose101 Avatar
112 months ago
Developer's have 3 months to test and get the software ready and its never enough that when its ready for prime time they have issues what do they do for 3 months when its in beta?!?
100% agree this is all Adobe's issue. Not really that surprising since most of their software is buggy as hell and they never take time for quality control.
Score: 33 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kaibelf Avatar
112 months ago
If only Apple somehow had a program where people were able to try, test, and verify software before general release, poor Adobe and the starving children there wouldn't be in this position. And if Apple did have such a program... well, heck, that would mean Adobe's just plain incompetent if they didn't take advantage of such an opportunity.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
112 months ago
I agree with the previous posters. Adobe has been saying this was Apple's problem, but developers know far in advance when a release is coming, so I believe Adobe dropped the ball on this.

And we were told the subscription business model was to speed up the release of patches, fixes, etc. Still waiting.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

macOS 27 on MacBook Pro

macOS 27 Will Mark the End of an Era

Saturday April 18, 2026 6:45 am PDT by
During its Platforms State of the Union segment at WWDC 2025, Apple revealed that macOS 26 Tahoe is the final major macOS version for Intel-based Macs. The upcoming macOS 27 release will be compatible with Apple silicon Macs only, meaning that you will need a Mac with an M-series chip or a MacBook Neo with an A18 Pro chip in order to install the software update. macOS 27 should be available...
macworld iphone 18 pro colors

iPhone 18 Pro's Four Rumored Colors Revealed, Including 'Dark Cherry'

Friday April 17, 2026 3:50 am PDT by
A source said to be familiar with Apple's supply chain today revealed the color options Apple is planning for the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the upcoming foldable iPhone. Image via Macworld. The information comes from Macworld, which says the signature new color for this year's Pro models will be Dark Cherry, a deep wine-like red. While other sources had previously reported on a...
Aston Martin CarPlay Ultra Screen

Apple Says CarPlay Ultra is Coming to These Vehicle Brands

Saturday April 18, 2026 5:59 am PDT by
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly a year later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon. In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. CarPlay Ultra...