Photoshop Free Download for Mac
Installing the desktop editor on macOS, covering Apple silicon and Intel machines: which releases are supported, what hardware keeps up, how installation runs, and what to do when macOS gets in the way.
Short answer
Current releases run natively on Apple silicon; Intel support depends on the release and on how long Apple still updates macOS for your model. Installation goes through the Creative Cloud desktop app, and macOS will ask for folder permissions on first launch. The macOS specification is below.
macOS compatibility
Adobe supports a rolling window of recent macOS releases and drops older ones as Apple stops updating them. If your Mac cannot move past an older macOS, you will be limited to an older version of the editor — which still works, but stops receiving fixes.
macOS requirements
- Operating system
- macOS Sonoma 14 or later
- Processor (Apple silicon)
- Apple M1 chip or later
- Processor (Intel)
- Multicore Intel processor with 64-bit and SSE 4.2 support
- RAM (minimum)
- 8 GB
- RAM (recommended)
- 16 GB or more
- Graphics card
- GPU with Metal support
- Graphics memory
- 1.5 GB minimum; 4 GB for 4K displays
- Hard disk space
- 10 GB minimum; 100 GB recommended on a fast SSD
- Screen resolution
- 1280 × 800 minimum; 1920 × 1080 or higher recommended
Apple silicon
Current releases run natively on M-series chips, which means no translation layer and noticeably better performance per watt on laptops.
Intel Macs
Support depends on the release and on the macOS version Apple still updates for your model. Older Intel machines often top out at an earlier editor version.
Setup
Installing on macOS
Installation runs through the Creative Cloud desktop application, which handles the licence and later updates.
Choose an authorized source
Start from Adobe's own site or another source the software owner has authorized. Check the address bar before you download anything.
Download the installer
Save the installer to a folder you can find again, such as Downloads.
Open the installer
Run the downloaded file and allow it to make changes when your operating system asks.
Sign in when asked
Desktop installation normally requires signing in with an Adobe account so the licence can be applied.
Complete the installation
Keep the installer open until it reports success. Installation time depends on your disk and connection speed.
Launch the application
Open the editor and create a test document to confirm everything works.
Check for updates
Install available updates so you have the latest fixes and security patches.
Step-by-step detail lives in the installation guide, and authorized sources are listed on the download page.
Mac specifics
Things that only come up on macOS
Apple silicon
Current releases run natively on M-series chips, which means no translation layer and noticeably better performance per watt on laptops.
Intel Macs
Support depends on the release and on the macOS version Apple still updates for your model. Older Intel machines often top out at an earlier editor version.
Permissions on first launch
macOS will ask for access to folders such as Desktop and Documents. Granting these lets the editor open and save your files normally.
Retina displays
High-density displays make the interface crisp but ask more of the GPU at large canvas sizes. Keep graphics drivers and macOS current.
Gatekeeper warnings are a signal
If macOS refuses to open an installer because it is not from an identified developer, treat that as information rather than an obstacle to work around. Installers from Adobe are signed. One that is not did not come from Adobe — see why that matters.