How to Install Adobe InDesign on a Mac: A Beginner-Friendly Guide

1) “The app wasn’t downloaded from the Mac App Store”

Why you see this: Your Mac is set to allow App Store apps only.

Fix (macOS Ventura/Sonoma/Sequoia style menus):

1. Open System Settings → Privacy & Security.

2. Scroll to Security.

3. Under Allow applications downloaded from, choose App Store and identified developers.

4. Unlock with your password/Touch ID if needed.

Now trusted installers outside the App Store can run.

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2) “App is from an unidentified developer”

Why: The installer isn’t registered with Apple, so macOS blocks first launch.

Fix (one-time open):

1. Control-click (or right-click) the installer/app.

2. Click Open.

3. In the dialog, click Open again.

macOS adds it to exceptions; next time you can double-click normally.

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3) “The program cannot be scanned for malware” (notarization warning)

Why: macOS wants apps to be notarized by Apple. Some apps show a first-run block.

Fix:

1. Go to System Settings → Privacy & Security → Security section.

2. If you see the blocked app message, click Open Anyway (or Allow Anyway).

3. Confirm in the next dialog.

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4) “The program is corrupted” / “App is damaged and can’t be opened”

Why: macOS thinks the file was modified after download or is quarantined.

First try the safe route: Re-download from the official Adobe source and install again.
If you still see it and you trust the file, you can clear quarantine attributes for that one app:

1. Open Terminal (Applications → Utilities → Terminal).

2. Run (adjust app name/path if needed):

   sudo xattr -r -c /Applications/Adobe\ InDesign/Adobe\ InDesign.app
   

3. Enter your admin password when asked.

Only use this for software you trust. Do not disable system-wide protections.

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5) “Error installing Adobe Creative Cloud apps”

Why: Corrupt cache, partial previous install, permissions, or network blocks.

Fix (in order):

1. Restart your Mac, try again from Creative Cloud Desktop.

2. Free up disk space (aim for 15–20 GB free).

3. Quit Creative Cloud Desktop → reopen and sign in again.

4. Reset Creative Cloud cache:

   • Quit Creative Cloud.

   • In Finder press Go → Go to Folder… and paste:

     ~/Library/Application Support/Adobe/OOBE
     

   • Move the OOBE folder to the Trash (this forces a clean re-sign-in).

   • Reopen Creative Cloud, sign in, reinstall InDesign.

5. If still stuck, use the Adobe Creative Cloud Cleaner Tool (official) to remove broken components, then reinstall Creative Cloud and InDesign.

For corporate/offline packages: always follow your IT admin’s instructions and only use official Adobe-packaged installers.

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6) “Installation failed” when running .pkg installers

Why: The installer’s post-install script can’t run (permissions, path, or corrupted package).

Quick checks:

• Install from an admin account.

• Ensure the .pkg isn’t on an external drive with unusual permissions; move it to Downloads or Desktop first.

• If it’s a very large installer, make sure you have enough free space.

Extract as a workaround (advanced, only if you know the source is legitimate):

• Use Pacifist to open the .pkg and extract its contents into /Applications.

• Or use the built-in pkgutil in Terminal to expand/inspect.
  This bypasses a broken post-install step, but you’ll miss any scripts that configure extras — so prefer the Creative Cloud route whenever possible.

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7) “Installer won’t open from the .dmg” / App won’t save settings

Why: Running from inside the .dmg can trigger App Translocation (temporary location).

Fix:

1. Double-click the .dmg to open it.

2. Drag the InDesign app (or installer) into the Applications folder icon in the .dmg window.

3. Eject the .dmg from Finder sidebar.

4. Launch InDesign from Applications.

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8) Permissions prompts keep appearing / “You don’t have permission”

Fix:

1. Ensure you’re on an admin macOS account.

2. Open Disk Utility → select your disk → click First Aid to repair permissions/structure.

3. Confirm Full Disk Access if Creative Cloud requests it (System Settings → Privacy & Security → Full Disk Access).

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9) InDesign opens to a blank screen or crashes on first launch

Fix (try in order):

1. Restart the Mac.

2. Launch Creative Cloud Desktop first, wait 30 seconds, then open InDesign.

3. Reset temporary preferences:

   • Hold Shift+Option+Command+Control immediately after launching InDesign (you’ll be prompted to delete preferences).

4. Remove conflicting plug-ins (move third-party plug-ins out of the Plug-Ins folder and try again).

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10) Network errors (e.g., 205) during download

Why: Firewall, VPN, proxy, or DNS blocks Adobe servers.

Fix:

1. Temporarily turn off VPN and third-party firewall apps.

2. Use a reliable DNS (your ISP’s default or a public DNS).

3. Switch networks (mobile hotspot vs. Wi-Fi) to test.

4. Try again via Creative Cloud Desktop after reconnecting.

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11) “Open Anyway” button isn’t visible

Fix:

• Try launching the app once to trigger the block message.

• Then go to System Settings → Privacy & Security; you should now see Open Anyway for that app.

• If you still don’t, reboot, try launch again, and check the setting once more.

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Uninstalling cleanly (if you need a fresh start)

1. Open Creative Cloud Desktop → Installed → InDesign → More (…) → Uninstall.

2. After uninstall, remove leftover caches:

   • Finder → Go → Go to Folder…

   • Paste: ~/Library/Caches/Adobe and ~/Library/Preferences/Adobe InDesign → move to Trash.

3. Reinstall from Creative Cloud Desktop.

4. Best practices to avoid errors next time

   • Always install via Creative Cloud Desktop.

   • Keep macOS up to date.

   • Leave at least 20 GB free.

   • Don’t launch from inside a .dmg — always move to Applications.

   • Only use trusted, official installers.

   • If you’re on Apple Silicon and using older plug-ins, check they support your chip or Rosetta 2.

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   Quick reference: error → fix

   • Not from App Store → Privacy & Security → App Store and identified developers.

   • Unidentified developer → Control-click → Open (one time).

   • Notarization warning → Privacy & Security → Open Anyway.

   • App is damaged/corrupted → Re-download; if trusted, sudo xattr -r -c on that app only.

   • .pkg failed → Move file locally, run as admin; if needed, extract with Pacifist; ideally reinstall via Creative Cloud.

   • Stuck/crashing → Restart, sign into Creative Cloud, reset prefs, remove plug-ins.

   • Network/205 → Disable VPN/firewall, change network/DNS, retry in Creative Cloud.

   • Permissions → Admin account, Disk Utility First Aid, grant requested access.

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   Final word (don’t skip this)

   Almost every “mystery” error happens because a tiny macOS switch or first-run prompt was missed. The video shows every click in order — that’s why you must watch it before downloading.

   Watch first, then download InDesign:
   [Insert your video link here]