Photoshop on Apple Silicon M1: Full Compatibility Guide

Yes, Adobe Photoshop runs natively on Macs with Apple Silicon M1 processors. Since November 2020, Adobe has provided a native version of Photoshop for M1 Macs, which offers significant performance improvements over the Intel-based version running under Apple’s Rosetta 2 translation layer. This article explains everything you need to know about using Photoshop on an M1 Mac, including performance, compatibility, and common issues.

Background: The Transition to Apple Silicon

In June 2020, Apple announced the transition from Intel processors to its own ARM-based chips, starting with the M1 in late 2020. This change required software developers to recompile their applications to run natively on the new architecture. Adobe was among the first major software vendors to commit to supporting Apple Silicon, and Photoshop was one of the first Creative Cloud apps to receive a native version.

The native version of Photoshop for Apple Silicon was released as a public beta in November 2020, with a stable release following in March 2021. Since then, Adobe has continued to optimize Photoshop for M1 and subsequent M-series chips (M1 Pro, M1 Max, M1 Ultra, M2, etc.), delivering performance gains in many tasks.

How Native Support Works

When you install Photoshop on an M1 Mac, you have two options:

• Native Apple Silicon version: This version is compiled specifically for the ARM architecture, allowing it to run directly on the M1 chip without any translation layer. It takes full advantage of the M1’s performance and efficiency cores.
• Intel version under Rosetta 2: If you have an older version of Photoshop that hasn’t been updated, or if you force the Intel version to run, macOS will use Rosetta 2 to translate the Intel instructions to ARM. This works but is slower and less efficient.

To check which version you’re running, open Photoshop and go to Help > About Photoshop. If the version number includes “ARMâ€� or “Apple Silicon,â€� you’re using the native version. Alternatively, open Activity Monitor and look at the “Kindâ€� column for the Photoshop process—it should say “Appleâ€� (native) or “Intelâ€� (under Rosetta).

Performance: What to Expect

Adobe has published benchmarks showing that the native M1 version of Photoshop can be up to 1.5 times faster than the Intel version running on an M1 Mac via Rosetta 2 for common tasks like opening files, applying filters, and saving. However, performance varies by feature:

• Faster: Most everyday operations—opening, saving, resizing, basic editing—are noticeably quicker on the native version.
• Similar or slightly slower: Some features that rely on legacy Intel-optimized code may not yet be fully optimized for ARM. For example, certain filters, the “Liquifyâ€� tool, and some third-party plugins may run slower until they are updated.
• Memory usage: The M1’s unified memory architecture allows Photoshop to use memory more efficiently, but the base M1 Macs are limited to 8GB or 16GB RAM, which can be a bottleneck for very large documents.

In practice, most users report that Photoshop feels snappy on M1 Macs, especially for photo editing and design work. For heavy tasks like 3D rendering or video editing, you may still experience slowdowns, but those are more dependent on GPU and RAM.

Compatibility with Plugins and Extensions

One of the most common concerns is whether third-party plugins and extensions work on Apple Silicon. Here’s what you need to know:

• Adobe plugins: Most Adobe plugins (e.g., Camera Raw, Lightroom) are already native or work via Rosetta.
• Third-party plugins: Many popular plugins (like Nik Collection, Topaz Labs, and PortraitPro) have released native versions for Apple Silicon. However, some older or less-maintained plugins may not work at all, or may require you to run Photoshop in Rosetta mode.

If you rely on a specific plugin, check the developer’s website for Apple Silicon compatibility before upgrading. Adobe also provides a way to run Photoshop in Rosetta mode: right-click the Photoshop app in Finder, select “Get Info,â€� and check “Open using Rosetta.â€� This forces the Intel version, which may help with older plugins.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

While Photoshop runs well on M1 Macs, some users encounter issues. Here are a few common ones and their solutions:

• Photoshop crashes on launch: This can happen if your version is outdated. Go to the Creative Cloud app and ensure Photoshop is updated to the latest version.
• Slow performance with large files: If you’re working with huge documents, consider upgrading your RAM (if possible) or using “Save Asâ€� to reduce file size. Also, close other apps to free up memory.
• Some tools or filters are grayed out: This can occur if you’re running the Intel version under Rosetta and a feature isn’t supported. Switch to the native version by unchecking “Open using Rosetta.â€�
• Third-party plugin not working: Check for an update from the plugin developer. If none is available, try running Photoshop in Rosetta mode.

If you continue to have issues, Adobe’s official support forums are a good resource, as many common problems have documented solutions.

How to Get Photoshop on Your M1 Mac

Installing Photoshop on an M1 Mac is straightforward:

1. Open the Creative Cloud desktop app (if you don’t have it, download it from Adobe’s website).
2. Sign in with your Adobe ID.
3. Go to the “Apps� tab and find Photoshop.
4. Click “Install� (or “Update� if you already have it). The Creative Cloud app will automatically install the correct version for your Mac—native Apple Silicon if available.

If you have an older version of Photoshop installed, you may need to update it to get the native version. Adobe offers a free trial of Photoshop, so you can test it on your M1 Mac before subscribing.

Alternatives to Photoshop on M1

If you’re looking for alternatives to Photoshop that run natively on Apple Silicon, there are several options:

• Affinity Photo: A one-time purchase alternative that is fully optimized for Apple Silicon and offers many of the same features.
• Pixelmator Pro: Another Mac-native editor that has been optimized for M1 and is popular for its ease of use.
• GIMP: A free, open-source editor that runs on Apple Silicon via Rosetta 2, but it’s not natively optimized.

These alternatives can be great if you’re on a budget or prefer a different workflow, but Photoshop remains the industry standard for professional photo editing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Photoshop run on my M1 Mac with 8GB RAM?

Yes, Photoshop will run on an 8GB M1 Mac, but you may experience slowdowns with very large files or when multitasking. For heavy use, 16GB is recommended.

Do I need to buy a new Photoshop license for Apple Silicon?

No. Your existing Creative Cloud subscription includes the Apple Silicon version at no extra cost. Just update Photoshop through the Creative Cloud app.

Can I run the Intel version of Photoshop on my M1 Mac?

Yes, you can force the Intel version by checking “Open using Rosettaâ€� in the app’s Get Info panel. This is useful for compatibility with older plugins.

Are all Photoshop features available in the native M1 version?

Most features are available, but a few legacy features may be slower or missing. Adobe has been updating them, so it’s best to keep Photoshop updated.

How do I know if I’m running the native version?

Go to Help > About Photoshop and look for “ARM� in the version number, or check Activity Monitor for the “Kind� column.

Will Photoshop use the M1’s GPU for acceleration?

Yes, Photoshop uses the M1’s integrated GPU for tasks like image scaling, filters, and some effects. However, not all features are GPU-accelerated yet.

Related

• Mac Data Safety at the Genius Bar: What to Know
• BO7 AK-27 Low Recoil Loadout Guide
• Pixel Watch 4 & iPhone Compatibility Explained