(*These apps run natively on Mac computers with M1 chip but we're still testing and optimizing them for Mac computers with M2 chip. We recommend using these apps currently in Mac computers with M1 chip only.)
If you're on Mac computers with Apple silicon, you can install the following apps using Rosetta 2 technology. The apps may initially take longer to open while Rosetta 2 translates them for use in your Mac computer.
Download Apps On Mac Mini
We provide support for the apps listed above. We haven't certified other Adobe apps yet and don't support their use on Mac computers with Apple silicon. For best results, run all other Adobe apps only on operating systems and hardware platforms noted in the system requirements.
We recommend reinstalling the apps on your new computer instead of migrating them using Migration Assistant. If you still want to use Migration Assistant, deselect the option to migrate applications or uninstall your Adobe apps before migrating.
Already used the Migration Assistant? Run the CC Cleaner Tool to remove Adobe apps and components that were copied to the new computer. Once the applications are entirely removed, you can install your Adobe apps on your new computer.
Apple's Mac computers have built up a large and ingenious community of app developers, and many of the best Mac apps are made by third-party devs filling the gaps between what Apple's own software teams can create.
From note taking apps to password managers, there are a lot of choices out there, but only a few are considered the best. Whether you just purchased a brand-spanking new M2 MacBook Air or have an older Mac, the following apps are the ones we recommend the most. So check them out and watch this list grow over time.
An Apple Award Winner for 2022, MacFamilyTree 10 is the latest version in a line of genealogy apps from Synium Software that goes back 25 years. That app offers a clear and easy-to-use interface that makes filling out your family tree relatively simple.
You can purchase 24-Hour Wallpaper from the App Store or get it as part of your Setapp bundle. A freebie version also available includes three wallpapers available to download from the Jetson Creative website.
If you want creative apps for multiple platforms but don't want to pay a monthly subscription, the Affinity Suite is almost certainly the one for you. Look for a universal license discount from the Affinity website.
One of my favorite Mac apps, CleanMyMac X, is one of those all-in-one apps that keeps improving with each new release. Created by Ukraine-based MacPaw, the app is designed to free up space on your computer and oh-so-much more.
If there was a Mac app hall of fame, Evernote would perhaps top the list. One of the best note-taking apps on the planet, Evernote makes it possible to jot down important information via text, images, audio, scans, PDFs, and documents. Better still, you can access your Evernotes across multiple devices, including Mac, iPhone, iPad, and through the web. You can also find it on Windows, Linux, and Android.
Like so many other apps on this list, iA is also available on other platforms. In this case, iPhone/iPad. Android and Windows versions are also available. Each version requires a separate one-time purchase. For Apple users, for example, you'd need to purchase one license for Mac and another for iPhone/iPad to use it across all three platforms. Syncing across devices is included.
In 2022, Microsoft decided to discontinue the "Microsoft Office" name. In its place is Microsoft 365, a suite of apps for multiple platforms, including Mac. Available at various subscription levels, Microsoft 365 for Mac includes Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Microsoft Outlook. Each subscription gives you access to tools on five devices simultaneously, including Mac, PC, iPhone, iPad, and Android phones and tablets.
The official Spotify app for Mac (free with a subscription) brings your entire subscription alive by offering playlist creation, downloads, and more. You can use the app to download and enjoy music and podcasts. Purchase links for audiobooks open a browser window. Once purchased, these audiobooks are available to listen to and download via the Mac app.
Your Mac already comes with lots of great apps. When you want something extra, consider the ones mentioned above. The best Mac apps include calendar and note-taking titles, those for photo-editing and other creative tasks, and one offering VPN.
Which are the best Mac apps to try first? That depends on your needs, of course. However, you won't be disappointed to check out Fantastical or ClearMyMac X first. No doubt, Microsoft 365 will be an essential download for many.
PKG files are installation packages that contain scripts to direct installation, and files to be installed. These lead you through a multi-step installation process, and tend to be used for apps and utilities that require additional components, system services, and/or files to be placed elsewhere on your computer. (This is automated; you essentially click a few times to allow the PKG to do its thing.)
When installing and launching apps, your Mac may display security warnings. For example, when you download an app from the Internet, your Mac will ask for confirmation before you run it the first time. (This assumes that in the Security & Privacy pane of System Preferences you allow apps downloaded from identified developers. That is the default setting; it can be adjusted by clicking the lock, entering your admin password, and selecting the relevant radio button.)
In some cases, such as granting access to your Downloads folder, you merely need to click OK on a dialog. But in others, such as the example above, you have go to System Preferences to explicitly grant permission. These settings are recorded in System Preferences > Privacy, and there is a whole column of areas where you can grant or deny permission to apps. When granting permission, you need to click the padlock, enter your password, then check the appropriate boxes.
In the General pane of System Preferences is a setting to allow apps downloaded from the App Store, or from the App Store and identified developers. These latter are developers who have accounts with Apple, and sign their apps with an Apple-provided certificate, to ensure their provenance.
The free edition is minimal at best with the ability to add and delete events, get the three-day forecast, and a few other features. For a premium experience, Flexibits provides subscriptions for both individuals and families starting at $3.33 per month (when billed annually). Premium features include the 10-day weather forecast, priority email support, and much more.
Hazel is an organization Mac app with a great twist: You create your own rules for how the app recognizes, sorts, and moves all your files or downloads. This allows for incredibly flexible file management, whether you want to sort out a particular type of file, apply names and tags automatically, or apply other strict rule sets to every file, folder, and download on your computer.
Mac users have access to a vast selection of excellent photo-editing apps, but even against its many competitors, Pixelmator Pro stands out as one of the best. It boasts a massive list of powerful features and is currently one of the fastest apps in the entire photo-editing space.
Like the last-gen version of the software, the newest iteration presents you with multiple columns and windows, along with tools to mute users, hashtags, and specific keywords. It also supports third-party apps such as Bitly and Paper and showcases a streamlined interface that pairs perfectly with the latest MacOS look.
Our VPN security app provides an additional layer of security between your Mac and the internet so you can browse, shop, and stream content privately and securely. In addition to shielding your identity from online snooping or data mining, a VPN also unblocks websites and content that may not be readily available in your region due to censorship or firewalls from your school or office network.
I have been trying to download Xcode 13.1 on the new 16" MacBook pro-2021, with iOS Monterey and it keeps getting stuck at the very end. I have tried restarting and redownloading it on my computer, but it keeps getting stuck. Is anyone else having this issue? There should be no reason that Xcode won't run on the new M1 Pro chips, so I am wondering if it is an issue with iOS Monterey.
Looks like it's downloading VERY slowly and the progress within the App Store application doesn't match the progress of the Xcode.app progress wheel in from Finder in the Applications folder. It's been downloading/updating for 6 hours...almost done.
So this has become absurd. I have a 2016 MacBook Pro and a 2014 Mac mini that have been downloading and "installing" Xcode now for 3 days. They all get stuck during the final install. For days. I can't even stop it and delete it. I have tried safe mode, rebooting, deleting the app from the application folder, and nothing works. Both machines are slowed to a crawl. About about ready to wipe the MacBook Pro and reinstall Monterey but I'd like to avoid that.
have run into the very same issue... MBP 13inch 2020 with M1 and 12.2 freshly installed. First Xcode didn't get installed at all off the App Store but with the downloaded xip it worked - however uploading to App Store Connect never finishes. I've also tried to only export and upload via Transporter. Interestingly enough this works but results in "Invalid Binary" errors in TestFlight. This whole mess renders my complete dev workflow effin useless.... ?
UPDATE: after going through this whole process, if you want to redownload Xcode from the App Store (I did try it) you can, and the spinning wheel was there again. But this time it resolved after a few minutes and the application was successfully installed. But I purposely tried to keep the laptop awake the whole time. I think if your laptop goes to sleep in the middle of this process, it causes the installer to bug and spin indefinitely. 2ff7e9595c