Are you getting ready to install macOS Mojave? Or perhaps you’ve already finished the upgrade and have started exploring the new Mojave system. In either case, you may discover that some of your favorite apps have stopped working, or are exhibiting problems that may be anything from a small annoyance to an outright showstopper.
Update, My system updates is suggesting I go straight to Catalina, so I disabled automatic OS updates (will wait a while until the bugs are worked out), I did see in small print within the update area 'another update is available' and it is 10.14.5 (skipping other released updates available for download and installation for Mojave).
In many cases, the apps you’re having problems with may only need to be updated to the most recent version. Likewise, you should also check that your copy of Mojave is up to date. Even if you just installed Mojave, you could be a minor revision behind.
After making sure you’re up to date, you may still have some apps with issues. To help, here is the Rocket Yard list of apps that are currently (as of Dec. 3, 2018) either not working or having known issues.
Related:
Five macOS Mojave Utilities You Should Get to KnowAt the end of the list, I’ve included instructions on fixing one of the most common issues for an app not to work in Mojave. And as always, if you have a problem with an app, let us know by leaving a comment, below. If you had a problem with an app and figured out a workaround, please let us know how you did it.
Adobe Apps
Some Adobe suites are still using 32-bit components, which can result in a warning message about an app not being optimized for use with your Mac. For the most part, these warning messages will not prevent the app from running.
(In many cases, upgrading to the most current version of an Adobe app will get it working with macOS Mojave.)
- Photoshop CS5 may display errors when launched, or when you quit the app. Some users have been able to get around the launch crashes using the technique outlined below, in the “How to Fix Apps That Crash in Mojave” section. If you rely on Photoshop, it’s a good idea to upgrade to a newer version.
- Photoshop CC has a number of compatibility issues, and Adobe recommends upgrading to Photoshop CC 2019 and Mojave 10.14.1 or later.
- Illustrator CS6 or newer should run under Mojave though there may be minor issues with using Illustrator with Mojave’s Dark Mode.
- InDesign CS5 and CS6 are both 32-bit apps, and users have reported multiple issues with using them under Mojave. The most common problems cited are a minor issue with Dark Mode, as well as an error when quitting the application that doesn’t seem to impact any of the documents created.
- Acrobat Pro DC and Acrobat Reader DC have numerous issues with both Mojave and High Sierra. Updating to the latest versions will correct most issues, though a few issues remain, involving printing, and converting a doc to PDF. Adobe is working to remedy the remaining issues in a future release.
- Dreamweaver has a few issues with Mojave; most are due to Dreamweaver’s reliance on the use of other apps, such as Terminal and Finder, to perform some of its functions. Check the “How to Fix Apps That Crash in Mojave” section, below, for possible workarounds.
- Lightroom Classic and Lightroom CC have been known to crash when used with Mojave’s Dark Mode.
- Premiere Pro CC and After Effects CC have minor issues with Mojave, including Dark Mode support, and attempts to access other computer components, such as the microphone and camera. Check the “How to Fix Apps That Crash in Mojave” section for possible workarounds.
I would like to see Apple let us know which of their apps need to be updated before installing a new OS, but for now, Apple apps are just like everyone else’s, and may need to be updated to work correctly.
- Aperture 3 still runs but there have been reports of minor issues, even occasional crashes. Versions earlier than Aperture 3 will not run under Mojave. And since Aperture is no longer supported, you should be looking for a new photo management app to use anyway.
- iWork (Pages, Keynote, and Numbers) versions older than 2013 are 32-bit apps, and will likely not run under Mojave, or if they do, will have various issues. Later versions of Pages, Numbers, and Keynote are 64-bit apps and should run without issue. However, it’s best to update this collection of apps to the most recent version for use with Mojave.
- Final Cut Pro’s older versions and their components, including Final Cut Studio Pro and Soundtrack Pro, will not run in Mojave.
- Final Cut Pro X and its related apps, Motion and Compressor, should all be updated to the latest version to ensure compatibility with Mojave. The most recent version is 10.4.4 (November 15, 2018).
- Logic Pro X should be updated to the latest version, 10.4.2 (September 28, 2018), for use with Mojave.
- MainStage should be updated to the latest version, 3.4.1 (November 8, 2018).
- Grab, the screenshot utility included with macOS High Sierra and earlier, has been replaced by the newer macOS Mojave Screenshot app.
Microsoft Office for Mac 2011 and all of its components, including:
- Word 2011
- Excel 2011
- PowerPoint 2011
- Outlook 2011
- Office 2016 version 16.16.2 or later fully supports Mojave.
- Office 365 and Office 2019 version 16.17.0 or later fully support Mojave.
1Password 7.2 is compatible with Mojave, including full support for Dark Mode. However, AgileBits, the developer of 1Password, was forced to remove the auto-submit feature that would fill in the login information for a site, and enter a carriage return to submit the login credentials to the site. The change is due to Mojave’s advanced security, which restricts an app’s ability to generate virtual keystrokes. 1Password will still fill in the login credentials, but you have to manually hit the Submit button.
BetterTouchTool is causing problems for some users, and isn’t working. You can use the trick outlined in the “How to Fix Apps That Crash in Mojave” section to get it working.
Caffeine, a popular app for preventing a Mac from falling asleep, fails under macOS Mojave.
(Some apps appear to work, but on closer examination, major features of the app are no longer functioning.)
DiskWarrior 5.2 has limited support for macOS Mojave, allowing the rebuilding of external drives formatted with HFS +. APFS formatted drives can be recognized by DiskWarrior, but can’t be rebuilt. You may also need to allow the DiskWarrior app or system extension to run using the method shown in the “How to Fix Apps That Crash in Mojave” section.iStat Menu has issues with Dark Mode, as well as some of the monitoring functions, including memory and GPU performance, under Mojave. Update to the most recent version (iStat Menu 6.3 or later) for full Mojave compatibility.
Little Snitch 4.2 or later is compatible with macOS Mojave, although it’s recommended that you upgrade to version 4.3 nightly build 5222 or later to better support Mojave’s Dark Mode.
Malwarebytes earlier than version 3.4.29 has known compatibility issues with macOS Mojave. Version 3.4.29 may have issues with Dark Mode. It’s recommended to update to version 3.5.27 or later.
Nicecast from Rogue Amoeba saw development end in early 2018. With the release of Mojave, users of Nicecast have reported the app no longer works. Rogue Amoeba recommends migrating to Audio Hijack.
Onyx, a popular system utility, requires a specific version for each Mac operating system. If you’re using Onyx, be sure and update to version 3.5.3.
Type2Phone has an issue with Mojave that causes the Mac to report the app as being damaged. To correct the issue, upgrade Type2Phone to version 3.1.1 or later.
WhatSize6.6.3 is reporting the wrong size for some volumes, files, or folders, according to some user reports.
Caffeine App Mac Mojave Safari
How to Fix Apps That Crash in MojaveSome apps under macOS Mojave fail to launch, or crash when started up. In some cases, the problem is caused by new security systems in Mojave. If the app in question is one well known to you, and you don’t suspect malicious intent, you can try these tricks to fix it or any other app that won’t launch or that crashes:
(By granting an app access to hardware or services that are restricted in Mojave, you can get older apps working again.)
Launch System Preferences by clicking or tapping its icon in the Dock, or by selecting System Preferences from the Apple menu.In the System Preferences window, select the Security & Privacy preference pane.
Select the General tab. Near the bottom of the tab, you may see text that says, “Some system software was blocked from loading” or you could see a specific app listed as being blocked. Click the Allow button.
(Mojave blocks many apps that add system extensions to your Mac. You can enable the extensions in the Security & Privacy preference pane.)
In the dropdown sheet, place a checkmark in the box for each item you wish to allow to be loaded by the system, and then click OK.In the Security & Privacy preference pane, select the Privacy tab.
From the sidebar, select the Accessibility item.
Check whether the app that is having issues is listed; if so, place a checkmark in its box to allow the app to run scripts that could make use of system commands that could control your Mac.
(Placing a checkmark in the box next to an app’s name will allow it to use a restricted hardware device or service.)
You should also check the Camera, Microphone, and Automation sidebar items to see if the app in question is listed; if so, you may need to grant the app access to specified hardware or services as you did with the Accessibility item.Close System Preferences when done.
You’ll need to restart your Mac for some of these changes to occur.
Once your Mac restarts, go ahead and try the app again.
Are All Apps Having Issues?
No, most apps run without issues under macOS Mojave. We just tend to only hear about the ones that are causing problems for users. Some of the noted problems are due to new security features in Mojave, some of which can be modified by the user to get an app working again.
In the long run, developers will adapt to Mojave and release new and improved versions of their apps, to take advantage of all that Mojave has to offer. In the meantime, let us know which apps you’re having problems with by leaving a note in the comments section, below