Ever since I installed OS X Yosemite I can’t open Photoshop CS5. The error message I get is ‘To open “Adobe Photoshop CS5” you need to install the legacy Java SE 6 runtime. Click “More info…” to visit the legacy Java SE 6 download website.’ But the web page that opens doesn’t have a clickable download link (and looks dodgy, too). Help!
We saw this too. After upgrading your Mac to OS X Yosemite you’re sure to find that various older software programs are no longer able to run – this is fairly standard when updating an OS, and hopefully most of them can be replaced with newer versions, or newer alternatives. But losing the relatively recent Photoshop CS5 was a blow. Luckily it’s possible to sort this out and run Photoshop CS5 in OS X Yosemite. Here’s how.
The error message (‘To open “Adobe Photoshop CS5” you need to install the legacy Java SE 6 runtime…’) leads to what looks like an outdated or broken web page: the graphics don’t load properly and there’s no apparent download link, just text labelling a ‘Download icon’ (which you can’t click).
Instead, use this link: https://support.apple.com/kb/DL1572. And download the file ‘Java for OS X 2014-001’.
(You may not be able to open that web page in Safari. We would recommend opening it in Firefox or Chrome instead, but clearing the cookies in Safari may solve the problem.)
Click Download. If you’re using Chrome, the file ‘JavaForOSX2014-001.dmg’ will start downloading in a pane at the bottom of the window. When it’s finished, click the dropdown menu (the downward-pointing arrow) and select ‘Show in Finder’. Drag-and-drop the file on to your desktop.
Beginners’ tips for OS X Yosemite | Advanced tips for OS X Yosemite
Now close any Java applications – any web browsers, Adobe applications (presumably you won’t need to close down Photoshop in this situation, but InDesign etc) and, if you want to cover all bases, all the running software. Now double-click the JavaForOSX2014-001.dmg file.
In the folder that opens, double-click the file JavaForOSX.pkg, and the installation guide will start up. Click Continue, read the Important Information page, then click Continue again (assuming you’re happy with what you read).
Take a look at the Software License Agreement and click Continue a third time, then Agree.
If you’re happy with the install location, click Install, and type in your password. Wait for the installation to complete – you’ll see the message ‘The installation was successful’. Click Close.
You should be home free now. Start up Photoshop and it should open without serving up that error message.
Read: Best ways to back up photographs
There is a new photos app on the Mac: read about Photos for Mac here.
Author: David Price, Editor
David has loved the iPhone since covering the original 2007 launch; later his obsession expanded to include iPad and Apple Watch. He offers advice to owners (and prospective owners) of these devices.