Get an Adobe Creative Cloud License

Summary
Use this article to request and receive an Adobe Creative Cloud (CC) license for business use. It covers eligibility, license options (All Apps, Single App, Acrobat Pro), the request/approval process, installation, and troubleshooting.

Audience
- Employees and contractors who need Adobe Creative Cloud for work.
- People managers and approvers.
- IT/procurement admins.

Last updated
- 2025-12-01

What’s included with an Adobe CC license
- All Apps: Access to the full Adobe Creative Cloud desktop and mobile apps (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, After Effects, XD/Figma updates may vary by contract), Adobe Fonts, and Creative Cloud storage (limits depend on our contract).
- Single App: Access to one specific app (e.g., Photoshop only, Illustrator only).
- Acrobat Pro: PDF editing, creation, e-sign (per contract), and advanced PDF tools.
- Generative AI (Firefly) features: Availability and monthly credits depend on our enterprise agreement and policy. Use is limited to business purposes and company brand guidelines.

Eligibility
- Full-time employees: Eligible with manager approval and valid business justification.
- Contractors/temporary staff: Case-by-case approval; limited-term licenses may be issued.
- Shared or lab devices: Use a shared device license if available (ask IT).
- Note: Personal Adobe IDs are not permitted for company work. Use your company SSO account.

Cost and chargeback
- Licenses may be billed to your cost center or project code.
- All Apps licenses are more expensive than Single App or Acrobat-only.
- If a budget owner is required, include their approval during submission.
- Renewal/true-up occurs annually or per our contract terms.

Before you request
- Confirm the app(s) you need (e.g., Photoshop + Illustrator vs. All Apps).
- Prepare a short business justification (examples below).
- Get manager approval (written approval via the ticket is acceptable unless your team requires pre-approval in a separate system).
- If you already have a personal Adobe subscription, plan to cancel it after you receive the enterprise license.

How to request a license (5–10 minutes)
1) Open the IT request portal
  - Go to the company IT Service Desk portal (e.g., ServiceNow/JSM/Helpdesk).
  - Search for “Adobe Creative Cloud” or “Software Request.”

2) Choose your license type
  - Select one of: All Apps, Single App (specify which), Acrobat Pro.
  - Select user type: Named user (most common) or Shared device (labs/kiosks).

3) Provide required details
  - Business justification (2–3 sentences).
  - Cost center/project code (if applicable).
  - Manager/approver name and email.
  - Operating system (Windows/macOS), and device name if requested.
  - Urgency and deadline (e.g., “By Friday for client delivery”).

4) Submit the request for approval
  - Your manager/budget owner will be asked to approve.
  - IT/software asset management will provision the license after approval.

5) Watch for confirmation
  - You’ll receive an email once the license is assigned.
  - Typical fulfillment time: 1–3 business days after approval (expedited requests may vary).

Install and sign in
1) Install Creative Cloud Desktop
  - If using a managed device: Install via Company Software Center/Self Service (preferred).
  - Otherwise, download from Adobe: https://creativecloud.adobe.com/apps/download
  - If installers are blocked, open a ticket with IT.

2) Sign in with company SSO
  - Use your company email.
  - When prompted, choose “Company or School Account” (not Personal).
  - You may be redirected to company SSO (Microsoft Entra ID/Azure AD) for MFA.

3) Install your apps
  - Open Creative Cloud Desktop, go to Apps, and click Install for the apps you’re licensed for.
  - Acrobat Pro: If you requested only Acrobat Pro, ensure you install Acrobat Pro (not Reader).

4) Manage device activations
  - If you see “Activation limit reached,” sign out from an unused device via Creative Cloud Desktop (Profile > Sign out), then sign in on your current device.

Upgrade, change, or cancel a license
- Change license type (e.g., Single App → All Apps): Submit a “Change Adobe CC License” request in the IT portal.
- Transfer license to another user: Submit a “Transfer Software License” request with the new user’s details.
- Cancel when no longer needed: Submit a “Cancel Adobe CC License” request at least 5 business days before month-end to avoid overage.

Business justification examples
- “Design marketing assets (web banners, social graphics) for Q1 campaign — requires Photoshop and Illustrator.”
- “Edit and deliver client video demos — requires Premiere Pro and After Effects.”
- “Prepare accessible PDFs and contracts — requires Acrobat Pro.”
- “Collaborate with Design on UI assets — requires Photoshop + Illustrator (Single App pair or All Apps based on availability).”

Data, privacy, and usage policy
- Use only for company work products.
- Store work files in approved company storage (OneDrive/SharePoint/Teams or company-sanctioned Creative Cloud storage as per policy).
- Follow brand guidelines for fonts, colors, and logos.
- Generative AI content must comply with company policy and client contracts. Check usage rights before external publication.

Common issues and fixes
- “No valid license found”
 - Make sure you’re signing in with your company SSO account, not a personal Adobe ID.
 - Sign out of Creative Cloud Desktop, quit the app, relaunch, and sign in again.
 - If the issue persists, open a ticket; IT may need to reassign the license in the Adobe Admin Console.

- “You’ve reached your device activation limit”
 - In Creative Cloud Desktop, go to Profile > Sign out on other devices.
 - If you can’t access the old device, use “Sign out of all devices” in your Adobe account portal (may require IT assistance).

- Creative Cloud Desktop won’t open or install
 - Reboot, update OS, and retry.
 - On managed devices, install via Software Center/Self Service.
 - Temporarily disable antivirus (if permitted by policy) or contact IT to whitelist the installer.

- Acrobat says “Subscription expired”
 - Ensure Acrobat Pro is installed (not Reader only).
 - Sign out/in via SSO. If unresolved, request license recheck by IT.

- Generative AI features missing or limited
 - Enterprise plans may have allocated credits or policy restrictions.
 - Check the portal article “Adobe Firefly/Generative Credits” or open a ticket.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
- Can I use a personal Adobe ID?
 - No. Use only your company-issued SSO account for licensing and compliance.

- Can I use Adobe CC on two devices?
 - Yes, you can activate on multiple devices but use only one at a time. If you hit the limit, sign out of an older device.

- Do we support plug‑ins, fonts, and stock?
 - Some plug-ins and Adobe Fonts are allowed; Adobe Stock usage may require separate approval or credits. Check the brand/licensing policy or ask IT.

- Is home use allowed?
 - If you work remotely on a company device, yes. Personal devices may be allowed if compliant with security policy (MDM/antivirus); check with IT.

- How long does it take to get a license?
 - Usually 1–3 business days after approval. Urgent requests should note the deadline in the ticket.

- What if I only need Acrobat Pro?
 - Request the Acrobat Pro license type instead of All Apps.

Security and compliance
- Follow company data handling standards. Do not store client-sensitive data in unapproved locations.
- Remove licenses before offboarding or role change. Managers must notify IT to reclaim licenses promptly.

Contacts and support
- License/request issues: IT Service Desk (submit via portal)
- Urgent escalations: Your manager + IT queue reference number
- Brand usage questions: Brand/Marketing team
- Accessibility guidance for PDFs: Accessibility/Compliance team