Install plugins and extensions for Creative Cloud apps

Learn how to install and manage new plugins or extensions using the Stock & Marketplace tab in your Creative Cloud desktop app. Also, learn how to install ZXP files of your extensions using the Unified Plugin Installer Agent (UPIA) tool.

Install plugins or extensions using the Creative Cloud desktop app

You can install plugins or extensions (also called add-ons) for Creative Cloud applications from the Creative Cloud desktop app. Adobe Extension Manager is no longer available to install plugins.

For Adobe teams and enterprise Creative Cloud users

You can install plugins using your Business Profile or your Personal Profile. However, note the following:

  • If you install plugins using your Personal Profile, you can use these plugins when you're signed into your Business Profile.
  • If you install plugins using your Business Profile, you cannot use these plugins when you're signed into your Personal Profile. You'll need to install the plugins separately using your Personal Profile.

Learn how to manage Adobe Profiles.

Note:

Before you install a plugin or extension, make sure that you have installed the Creative Cloud app to which you are adding it. For example, if you are installing an extension for Photoshop, install Photoshop first.

  1. Download the Creative Cloud desktop app.

  2. Go to the Stock & Marketplace tab, and then select Plugins(If you have a Creative Cloud for education subscription, go to the Marketplace tab, and then select All plugins in the left sidebar.)

    The Stock & Marketplace window showing a search bar and multiple tabs for search categories such as Images and Plugins.
    The Plugins window in Stock & Marketplace opens.

    Don't see the Stock & Marketplace tab?

    Currently, this tab is not available in the Creative Cloud desktop app installed on Windows computers with ARM processors.

  3. Search for your plugin. 

    The Plugins tab showing a search bar for you to search for plugins.
    A window showing all the plugins that match your search result opens.

  4. When you find a plugin you'd like to install, select Get or Learn more

    The window showing all the plugins that match with your search result. Select Get to install plugins.
    The installation process starts.

    Note:

    Some plugins require you to purchase them. Select Buy for these plugins and follow the onscreen instructions to install them. 

  5. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the install.

Where to find your plugin

Once you’ve installed a plugin or extension, go to Plugins on your Creative Cloud desktop app and search for the plugin. Select the more options icon    and select Where to find it.

See where to find the installed extension in your app
Selecting this option displays more information about your plugin and its path.

Install extensions using command-line tool

You can install ZXP files of the required extensions using the Unified Plugin Installer Agent (UPIA) tool. If you don't have the ZXP file of the extension you are trying to install, navigate to My Exchange, find your extension, and select Installation Help.

You can download the extension using the download button in step 3. If you still can’t locate the ZXP file, contact the extension vendor. The vendor’s contact information can be found on their partner profile page on the Adobe Exchange website.

How to install extensions using UPIA tool

The UPIA command-line tool is automatically installed with the Creative Cloud desktop app version 5.5 and later. Learn how to install your extensions using the UPIA command-line tool.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find solutions to some common errors that you might encounter when installing plugins or extensions.

  1. Open the Creative Cloud desktop app.

  2. Go to Stock & Marketplace > Plugins. (If you are a Creative Cloud for education subscriber, go to Marketplace > Manage plugins.)

    The Stock & Marketplace window showing a search bar and multiple tabs for search categories such as Images and Plugins.
    The Plugins window in Stock & Marketplace opens.

    Don't see the Stock & Marketplace tab?

    Currently, this tab is not available in the Creative Cloud desktop app installed on Windows computers with ARM processors.

  3. Under Plugins in the left sidebar, select Manage plugins.

  4. Select the More actions icon  for your plugin or extension, and then select Uninstall.

    Tbe expanded menu under More actions icon for an installed plugin. Select Uninstall to remove the plugin.
    The process to uninstall the plugin starts.

If you are trying to install your plugin or extension on a Windows computer with an ARM processor, you won't be able to view the Stock & Marketplace tab in the Creative Cloud desktop app.

We are working to ensure plug-in support for Windows computers that use ARM processors. In the meantime, we recommend that you install and run your plug-ins on Windows computers that use Intel processors.

Some plugins or extensions are installed as panels inside the Creative Cloud apps, while others are installed in the form of zipped files. To know where you can find your installed plugin or extension:

  1. Sign in to the Adobe Exchange website and select Manage.

     Adobe Exchange homepage
    Use the Adobe Exchange website to manage your plugins and extension.

  2. Select Creative Cloud extensions

     Adobe Exchange homepage
    The Creative Cloud extensions tab displays all the purchased and installed extensions and plugins.

  3. Select the desired plugin or extension and scroll down to the bottom of the web page to the section WHERE TO FIND IT

    How to find the 'Where to find it' tab
    You can find your plugin or extension's location and other additional information in the WHERE TO FIND section.

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