Learn how to install and deploy Acrobat with the unified installer on macOS, a single package for Adobe Acrobat and Acrobat Reader.
The unified installer is a single package that combines Acrobat and Acrobat Reader into one executable file. It installs the appropriate product based on the user’s licensing and sign-in status.
- IT admins can use a single installer that adapts to each user's license.
- Individual users can install on personal devices. The installer checks the account to identify the appropriate product.
Unified and non-unified apps can’t work together. The unified installer removes non-unified apps in most cases. Learn more about the benefits and unsupported features of the unified installer.
Installation methods
The unified installer can be installed from five primary channels, each with its own user experience and behavior:
- Reader Download Center (RDC): Free Acrobat Reader for individual users. No sign-in required.
- Microsoft Windows Store: Similar to RDC, for individual users. No sign-in required.
- Creative Cloud Desktop Application (CCDA): Full Acrobat subscription for individuals and teams. Sign-in is required.
- Admin Console: Offers options to customize the installation.
- Download Acrobat from Helpx: For enterprise users facing issues with Creative Cloud installation. Allows custom setups.
Install Acrobat or Reader
Individual users can download and install the unified installer from the internet. Enterprise users require installation IDs with the appropriate access permissions.
Individual users
- Download the unified installer and install it on a new machine.
- Follow the installation instructions and complete the installation.
If your installation is stuck, learn more about resolving a progress bar stuck during Reader to Acrobat upgrade using the unified installer.
Upgrade from Reader to Acrobat
- Sign in to Acrobat after purchase. The application detects your subscription and automatically installs additional components.
- To resolve any issues, follow the installation instructions.
Enterprise and teams users
Before you begin
- The unified installer supports mixed entitlements within the same organization, such as free, Standard, and Professional.
As an administrator, you can install the unified installer for users in your organization based on their license.
Deploy Acrobat
- Create the Acrobat package in the Admin Console.
- Deploy the package using any enterprise deployment tool.
- You can also deploy the Creative Cloud Desktop App (CCDA) for all users and let users install Acrobat using CCDA.
- Depending on your license, you can turn off mandatory sign-in on your machine and use Reader or Adobe Acrobat. Turning off mandatory sign-in lets Acrobat function as:
- Acrobat for signed-in users with a subscription
- Reader for signed-out users
Learn more about how to install the unified installer on a clean machine.
