Adobe’s newest Photoshop beta adds support for new Apple Silicon chips for the first time. The update comes on the day Apple’s first M1 machines make their official debuts, with in-store pickup now available.
Apple Silicon is Apple’s custom chipset architecture, based on ARM, for the next generation of Macs. It’s different (and faster) than Intel chips, which means it can’t natively run apps made for Intel CPUs.
Developers must optimize their apps for Apple Silicon for the best possible performance, then. And early M1 adopters will be pleased to see that many are already doing just that. Adobe is the latest.
Photoshop on its way to Apple Silicon
The newest Photoshop beta, version 5.3.1.470, adds support for Apple Silicon for the first time. You’ll need a Creative Cloud subscription and a new Mac powered by an M1 chip to try it out.
One important thing to note, however, is that this beta doesn’t yet include all the Photoshop features you’re currently used to. Adobe says more will be added in the coming weeks.
“This early version of Photoshop for Apple Silicon offers many of the core Photoshop features that you’ve come to rely on for your day to day editing needs, and we’ll be adding more features in the weeks to come,” reads Adobe’s announcement.
What’s missing?
Some of the tools that are missing include:
- Camera RAW
- Refine Hair
- Liquify Filter
- OilPaint Filter
- All CEP-based Panels
- Adaptive Wide Angle
- Shake Reduction
The full list of current omissions can be found on Adobe’s website. To download the new Photoshop beta now, visit the Beta apps section inside the Creative Cloud desktop app for Mac.
