Unlocking Adobe Illustrator 2021 on Your M1 Mac: A Guide to Seamless Migration

Are you eagerly awaiting the release of Adobe Illustrator 2021 (v25.3) on your new M1 Mac? You're not alone! As a long-time user of this industry-standard graphic design software, I'm excited to share my experience with its migration to Apple's ARM-based architecture.

What's New in Illustrator 2021 for M1 Macs?

On June 8th, Adobe released Illustrator 2021 (v25.3), which is now native on both M1 and Intel hardware. This means that users of grandfathered accounts can still run their plugins on M1 devices without any issues.

What if You're a Grandfathered Account Holder?

If you're a grandfathered account holder with access to only Intel-native macOS plugins, don't worry – there's an easy solution! You can still run your plugins on M1 hardware using Rosetta 2 technology. This allows software built for Intel-based Macs to work seamlessly on the latest M1-based machines.

How to Run Illustrator Under Rosetta 2 Emulation

To use Illustrator under Rosetta 2 emulation, simply follow these steps:

1. Run Adobe Zii from within a Finder window.

2. Start your free 7-day trial of the application.

3. There will be a slight reduction in performance.

Alternatively, you can re-subscribe to the Astute Graphics service by visiting your account page.

Astute Manager Update: A Game-Changer for M1 Users

In February 2022, Astute Manager updated to version 3, ensuring that all plugins become Universal (native Intel and M1) for macOS. This means that users can update their plugins easily using the Astute Manager.

The release of Adobe Illustrator 2021 on M1 Macs marks a significant milestone in the software's migration to Apple's new architecture. With its native support, users can enjoy seamless performance without any compromises. For those who are grandfathered account holders, there are easy solutions available to ensure continued use of their plugins.

In conclusion, this guide has outlined the steps to unlock Adobe Illustrator 2021 on your M1 Mac, providing a hassle-free experience for all users. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out with graphic design, Illustrator is an essential tool that's now more accessible than ever before.

Illustrator for m1 mac