While Adobe frequently releases newer versions, many professionals stick to the 2022 v23.5.2 update for several key reasons:
Unlike the "bleeding edge" 2023 or 2024 versions which can have buggy plugin support, v23.5.2 is a "mature" build with most major bugs ironed out. Technical Requirements for macOS
Multicore Intel processor (64-bit support) or Apple Silicon. OS: macOS Big Sur (version 11.0) or later. RAM: 8GB (16GB recommended for heavy RAW editing). Graphics: GPU with Metal support and at least 2GB of VRAM. Understanding the "U2B" and "Patch" Terms
When searching for the version, you are looking for a package that contains code for both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs in a single installer.
This version is fully optimized for the ARM architecture, meaning it runs blazingly fast on M1 and M2 chips without relying on Rosetta 2.
Open the .dmg file and run the Install app. If you encounter an "Error 501," you may need to install the Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop app first to provide the necessary background framework.