Install Guide — Mac

A practical install workflow for apps, Adobe releases, plugins, scripts, extensions, and packages on macOS.

Know Your Mac First

Mac troubleshooting depends heavily on your CPU type and macOS version. Before installing anything, open Apple menu → About This Mac and note:

• Chip (Apple Silicon) — M1/M2/M3/M4. May need Rosetta for older Intel-only apps or plugins.
• Processor (Intel) — Cannot run Apple Silicon-only builds.
• macOS version — Older Adobe versions can stop working on newer macOS releases.

Install by File Type

DMG

Double-click to mount. If you see an app and an Applications folder shortcut, drag the app into Applications. If it contains a PKG, run the PKG from the mounted disk image. Eject the DMG when done.

PKG

Runs through the macOS Installer and usually requires an administrator password. Use this for tools that place files in /Applications, /Library, Adobe plugin folders, or background services.

APP

Move into /Applications. Don't keep production apps inside Downloads, inside the extracted folder, or on a mounted DMG unless the readme says it's portable.

ZXP / CEP Extension

Adobe extension packages — not native plugins. Use a trusted ZXP installer or follow the developer's instructions. CEP panels appear under Window → Extensions in After Effects.

JSX / JSXBIN Script

Scripts run from File → Scripts. Dockable panels go in ScriptUI Panels and appear at the bottom of the Window menu after restarting After Effects.

After Effects Plugin Locations

Native Effect Plugins

MediaCore (shared): /Library/Application Support/Adobe/Common/Plug-ins/7.0/MediaCore
AE local: /Applications/Adobe After Effects [version]/Plug-ins

MediaCore plugins can be shared across Adobe video apps. Local plugins are tied to one AE install. Don't dump everything into MediaCore — unsupported plugins there can affect Premiere Pro and Media Encoder.

CEP Extensions

System: /Library/Application Support/Adobe/CEP/extensions
User: ~/Library/Application Support/Adobe/CEP/extensions

Install the entire extension folder — not individual internal files.

Scripts & ScriptUI Panels

Scripts: /Applications/Adobe After Effects [version]/Scripts
Dockable: /Applications/Adobe After Effects [version]/Scripts/ScriptUI Panels

Restart After Effects after copying scripts — they don't appear until AE restarts.

Permissions & Security

macOS may block apps from unidentified developers. Use Control-click → Open for trusted apps, or check System Settings → Privacy & Security for an "Open Anyway" option. Some installers need additional permissions like App Management or Full Disk Access — grant only what's needed.

Rosetta on Apple Silicon

Rosetta lets Apple Silicon Macs run Intel-based apps. Enable it via Finder → Get Info on the app → check "Open using Rosetta." Only use it when a required plugin has no Apple Silicon build. AE 2024+ removed the Rosetta toggle — Intel-only plugins won't work there. See the Rosetta Guide for details.

Verify One Layer at a Time

1. App first: Open from Applications (not DMG). Confirm it reaches the main UI before adding plugins.
2. Plugin next: Check the Effects panel or Window → Extensions. Restart AE if something is missing.
3. Architecture check: If a plugin fails on Apple Silicon, it may be Intel-only. Try Rosetta or find an updated build.

Common Problems

"App is damaged" or "developer cannot be verified"

Re-extract, then use Gatekeeper approval. If it persists, check version compatibility. See the Gatekeeper Guide.

Installer can't write to Applications or Library

Run from an admin account, close the host app, and confirm the target folder isn't locked. Plugin installers often need admin rights.

Plugin installed but not showing in AE

Confirm plugin type and folder. Native plugins, CEP panels, and scripts use different locations. Check AE version and Apple Silicon support.

Everything worked until a reboot

Check if the app was still mounted from a DMG instead of copied to Applications. Also check login items and background permissions.