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I want to get Photoshop Essentials for my Mac Catalina but can't figure out what version is compatible and how to get it.

I just bought this older computer with OS Catalina 10.15.7. All my data was transferred from my old IMAC that crashed, but Photoshop. I need to find out how to obtain Photoshop either Essentials or and older version of CC that is compatible with Catalina. Please advise how to do this. Thank you!

iMac, macOS 10.13

Posted on Aug 28, 2023 12:08 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Aug 28, 2023 12:38 PM

Adobe Photoshop Elements 2023 requires macOS 11 (Big Sur) or later.

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop-elements/system-requirements.html


Adobe Photoshop Elements 2022, 2021, and 2020 ran on Catalina.

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop-elements/system-requirements/older-versions.html


It is still apparently possible to download the Photoshop Elements 2022 installer, although you will need to check with Adobe as to whether they will still let you purchase a key to activate that version. The link might just be for customers who already bought that version but need to re-install it.

https://helpx.adobe.com/download-install/kb/photoshop-elements-downloads.html

6 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Aug 28, 2023 12:38 PM in response to Petey7116

Adobe Photoshop Elements 2023 requires macOS 11 (Big Sur) or later.

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop-elements/system-requirements.html


Adobe Photoshop Elements 2022, 2021, and 2020 ran on Catalina.

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop-elements/system-requirements/older-versions.html


It is still apparently possible to download the Photoshop Elements 2022 installer, although you will need to check with Adobe as to whether they will still let you purchase a key to activate that version. The link might just be for customers who already bought that version but need to re-install it.

https://helpx.adobe.com/download-install/kb/photoshop-elements-downloads.html

Aug 28, 2023 12:23 PM in response to Petey7116

Okay, Petey7116, here’s some info about that : https://helpx.adobe.com/ca/x-productkb/global/fix-macos-64-bit-compatibility-errors.html

and this too : https://helpx.adobe.com/ca/photoshop-elements/kb/macos-catalina-compatibility.html

and this : https://helpx.adobe.com/ca/photoshop/kb/photoshop-and-macos-catalina.html

I’d go with what Adobe recommends/says as I am no Adobe Expert… or ask someone else….


John B

Aug 28, 2023 12:53 PM in response to Petey7116

Other possibilities:


Affinity Photo 2 will run on Catalina. It has a one-time price of $70, or you can get a "V2 Universal License" for $165 that lets you run Affinity (Photo, Designer, Publisher) V2 on (Mac, Windows, iPad).


https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/

https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/photo/full-feature-list/


GIMP (the GNU Image Manipulation Program) will run on Catalina. It is Free and Open Source Software.


https://www.gimp.org/


GraphicConverter 12 will run on Catalina. It costs $40. If you buy this program, you may want to download it from the developer's Web site rather than the Mac App Store. According to the developer, the App Store version has a number of feature restrictions due to Apple's App Store sandboxing rules.


https://www.lemkesoft.de/en/products/graphicconverter


Aug 28, 2023 2:58 PM in response to Petey7116

The current release of Photoshop CC is v24 and it's only supported on the current macOS and two previous versions (currently Ventura, Monterey & Big Sur).


Photoshop CC v22 and v23 will run on Catalina. Older CS versions are not compatible.


Suggest contacting Adobe about how to obtain PS CC v23 for your Mac running Catalina.

Aug 28, 2023 3:57 PM in response to MartinR

MartinR wrote:

The current release of Photoshop CC is v24 and it's only supported on the current macOS and two previous versions (currently Ventura, Monterey & Big Sur).

Photoshop CC v22 and v23 will run on Catalina. Older CS versions are not compatible.

Suggest contacting Adobe about how to obtain PS CC v23 for your Mac running Catalina.


Photoshop CC would be the full version of Photoshop, which is only available these days by subscription. Adobe has a couple of Photography Plans which include access to Photoshop and Lightroom Classic – and.a Lightroom Plan that doesn't.


https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/photography/compare-plans.html


Whether these plans are an option for the OP would depend on whether Adobe was willing to offer access to old Catalina-compatible versions of the applications.

I want to get Photoshop Essentials for my Mac Catalina but can't figure out what version is compatible and how to get it.

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