Adobe releases Photoshop for Apple Silicon beta

Ahead of its expected public launch early next year, a limited version of Adobe Photoshop for Apple Silicon M1-based Macs has been released in beta.

As Apple announced during its November 10 event, Adobe is planning to release its major Creative Cloud apps optimized for Apple Silicon M1 from early 2021. Adobe has now released what it describes as a limited beta version of Photoshop.

"We are excited to announce the first Beta release of Photoshop running natively on Apple Silicon hardware!" said Adobe in a blog post. "This is not a fully functioning version of Photoshop; it contains several limitations compared to the more widely available version of Photoshop for Macintosh. Over time, more features will be made available."

Previously, Adobe has taken this same approach with Photoshop for iPad, where it releases a basic or core version, and then steadily adds in new features. In this case, however, Adobe is clear that its plan is to add these further features during the beta period so that they are ready when the app is released publicly.

"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," it continues.

The features that are not yet included range from content aware fills and the spot healing brush, to certain file formats and face detection. There are also features that are included but so far have "limitations or bugs," such as 3D functions.

Adobe also notes that, "several features are running slower on M1 native devices," although it adds "these will be optimized over time."

Both Photoshop and other apps that Apple described as "flagship" Adobe ones, are due early next year. Adobe Lightroom is planned to ship in December.