How to Disable the Adobe Genuine Software Integrity Service on Mac

The Adobe Genuine Software Integrity Service is a background process that Adobe uses to verify the authenticity of its software installed on your computer. While intended to protect intellectual property and ensure users have legitimate, secure software, many users encounter persistent pop-up alerts, even when using genuine Adobe products. This guide provides comprehensive steps on how to disable or remove the Adobe Genuine Software Integrity Service on macOS, addressing common issues and offering solutions.

Understanding the Adobe Genuine Software Integrity Service

Adobe Genuine Service (AGS) is designed to periodically check if your Adobe applications are genuine. It aims to protect customers from security vulnerabilities and malware often found in non-genuine software. When the service detects non-genuine software, it can notify the user and, in some cases, disable the application to prevent fraudulent use. Adobe states that using non-genuine software increases the risk of viruses, malware, and software malfunctions.

However, some users report receiving these alerts even when they have purchased legitimate Adobe products, often when the software was not acquired directly from Adobe’s official website. This can lead to disruptive pop-up messages such as “The Adobe software you are using is not genuine” or “This unlicensed Adobe app will be disabled soon.”

Why You Might Want to Disable the Service

• False Positives: The service may incorrectly flag legitimate software as non-genuine, causing unnecessary alerts and disruptions.
• Performance Issues: In some instances, the Adobe Genuine Software Integrity Service has been reported to cause high CPU usage, leading to slower performance, increased fan activity, and rapid battery drain on MacBooks.
• Intrusive Notifications: The persistent pop-up messages can be highly annoying and interfere with workflow.

Methods to Disable the Adobe Genuine Software Integrity Service on Mac

There are several methods to disable or remove the Adobe Genuine Software Integrity Service on your Mac. It’s important to proceed with caution, as incorrect steps could potentially affect other Adobe applications.

Method 1: Manual Removal of AdobeGCClient Folder

This is a common method that involves locating and deleting specific Adobe files associated with the service.

1. Open Finder: Click the Finder icon in your Dock.
2. Go to Folder: In the Finder menu bar, click on “Go,” then select “Go to Folder.”
3. Navigate to Library: Type ~/Library in the search field and press Enter.
4. Locate AdobeGCClient: Navigate through the following path: Application Support > Adobe > AdobeGCClient.
5. Delete the Folder: Right-click on the AdobeGCClient folder and select “Move to Trash.”
6. Empty Trash: Right-click on the Trash icon in your Dock and select “Empty Trash” to permanently remove the folder.

Some sources suggest that after deleting the folder, you should also look for and remove related files in ~/Library/LaunchAgents, such as those with names like com.adobe.GC.Invoker-1.0.plist.

Method 2: Using Activity Monitor to Terminate Processes

This method involves stopping the service’s processes before attempting to remove its files.

1. Open Activity Monitor: Go to Applications > Utilities and open Activity Monitor.
2. Find Adobe Processes: In the search bar within Activity Monitor, type “Adobe” to find any running Adobe-related processes. Look specifically for “Adobe Genuine Software Integrity Service” or similar names.
3. Force Quit: Select the suspicious process and click the “X” button (Force Quit) in the top-left corner of the Activity Monitor window. Confirm by clicking “Force Quit” in the dialog box.
4. Proceed with Deletion: After quitting the process, you can then follow Method 1 to delete the AdobeGCClient folder.

Some users recommend checking both ~/Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchAgents for any Adobe-related .plist files and deleting them.

Method 3: Using Adobe Cleanup Utility

Adobe provides a utility to help remove its software components.

1. Locate the Utility: Go to Applications > Utilities > Adobe Genuine Service. You might find the AdobeCleanUpUtility there. Alternatively, it might be located within Adobe Creative Cloud > Utils.
2. Run the Uninstaller: Double-click the AdobeCleanUpUtility to launch it.
3. Uninstall: Follow the on-screen prompts to uninstall the service. You may need to enter your system username and password.

Method 4: Blocking Adobe Services via Firewall

While not directly disabling the service, blocking its network access can prevent it from communicating with Adobe servers.

1. Open System Preferences: Click the Apple logo in the menu bar and select System Preferences.
2. Navigate to Firewall: Go to Security & Privacy > Firewall.
3. Firewall Options: Click on Firewall Options.
4. Block Connections: You can attempt to block incoming connections for all Adobe applications. This might require adding specific Adobe processes to the block list.

Some users suggest using third-party firewall applications to gain more granular control over network connections for specific applications.

Method 5: Using Third-Party Cleaning Tools

Tools like Combo Cleaner are designed to scan for and remove malware and unwanted applications, including components of the Adobe Genuine Software Integrity Service.

1. Download and Install: Download a reputable Mac cleaning tool like Combo Cleaner.
2. Run a Scan: Launch the tool and perform a full system scan.
3. Remove Detected Items: If the tool identifies Adobe Genuine Software Integrity Service components or related malware, follow its instructions to remove them.

Method 6: Disabling Startup Items (Less Recommended)

While not a direct method for this specific service, disabling unnecessary startup items can sometimes help manage background processes.

1. Open System Preferences: Go to System Preferences > Users & Groups.
2. Login Items: Select your user account and click on the Login Items tab.
3. Remove Adobe Items: Look for any Adobe-related items in the list and click the minus (-) button to remove them from starting automatically.

Note: Disabling essential Adobe startup items could impact the functionality of your Adobe applications.

Important Considerations and Warnings

• Use Genuine Software: The most straightforward and recommended solution is to ensure you are using genuine, licensed Adobe software. Purchasing directly from Adobe’s official website can prevent many of these issues.
• Potential for Reinstallation: Adobe applications, particularly through Creative Cloud, may attempt to reinstall the Genuine Software Integrity Service. If the issue reappears, you may need to repeat the removal steps or consider more advanced methods.
• Impact on Updates: Disabling or removing the service might prevent Adobe applications from updating correctly or could lead to other Adobe software crashing.
• Malware Risk: Adobe emphasizes that non-genuine software can expose users to malware and security risks. If you suspect your system is compromised, using a reputable antivirus or anti-malware tool is advisable.
• Backup Data: Before making significant changes to your system files, it is always recommended to back up your important data.

Conclusion

The Adobe Genuine Software Integrity Service is designed to ensure software authenticity and security. However, when it causes disruptions or false positives, users may need to disable it. By carefully following the manual removal steps, utilizing Adobe’s cleanup tools, or employing system cleaning utilities, you can attempt to resolve persistent alerts. Remember that using legitimate software is the most reliable way to avoid these issues and ensure a secure and stable computing experience.