Open the file you want to work on in the web app.
Last updated on
Apr 20, 2026
Learn how to open Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, and other Creative Cloud desktop apps directly from your browser.
Creative Cloud connects your web and desktop apps so you can move between them without interrupting your workflow. When you’re working on a Creative Cloud web app, such as Adobe Firefly and want to continue in a desktop app, you can select Open in {app name} desktop or Edit in {app name} desktop to launch it directly from your browser.
Open a desktop app from your browser
Follow the instructions depending on whether you have the Creative Cloud desktop app installed.
If you already have the Creative Cloud desktop app installed
Select the More options icon and then select Open in {app name} desktop.
Note
The location of this option may vary depending on the app you’re using.
When prompted by your browser, select Open Creative Cloud desktop app.
Note
- The text in this prompt may vary depending on your browser.
- If you select Cancel, the desktop app won't open. Select Try again to receive the browser prompt.
The app opens automatically if it’s already installed and up to date. You can close the browser tab or continue editing in your browser.
Note
If the app is not installed or needs an update, the Creative Cloud desktop app will prompt you to install or update it. If you don’t have access to the app, you’ll see options to start a trial or purchase it.
If you don't have the Creative Cloud desktop app installed
Open the file you want to work on in the web app.
Select the More options icon and then select Open in {app name} desktop.
Note
The location of this option may vary depending on the app you’re using.
In the in-app dialog, select the link to download and install the desktop app.
Once the installation is complete, the file opens automatically in the desktop app.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on your browser. Some browsers allow you to save your preferences. When the prompt appears, you can select Always allow [site] to open links of this type in the associated app, so you won’t be asked again on that device. In other browsers, you may need to allow the prompt each time
Try the following:
- Select Try again in the in-page dialog.
- Ensure the Creative Cloud desktop app is installed. If it’s not installed, you are prompted to download and install your Creative Cloud app using the link in the dialog.
- If the Creative Cloud desktop app is already installed, check that the specific app is installed and up to date in the Creative Cloud desktop app.
- If you selected Cancel on the browser prompt, select Open in {app name} desktop again to re-trigger it.
Yes. The browser permission prompt may look slightly different depending on which browser you use, but the behavior is supported in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and other modern browsers.
If the Creative Cloud desktop app is not installed, the browser prompt will not appear. Instead, the in-page dialog will show an Install app link.
