Pro Tools 10.3.10 is not officially supported on macOS High Sierra (10.13). Avid officially qualifies this version only up to Mac OS X 10.8.5; attempting to install it on later versions like High Sierra typically triggers an "incompatible version of the OS" error.
While some users attempt workarounds, these often result in severe graphic glitches, such as empty plugin lists or software that fails to open entirely. Installation Overview
If you must proceed despite the lack of support, standard installation involves: Downloading : Obtain the Pro Tools 10.3.10 full installer from your Avid Account Clean Uninstall : Avid recommends a clean uninstall of any previous Pro Tools versions before continuing. iLok Authorization : Ensure you have a valid Pro Tools 10 license on your Unofficial Workarounds
To bypass the OS version check during installation, some users employ these advanced methods:
Installing Pro Tools 10.3.10 on macOS High Sierra (10.13) is not officially supported by Avid and is generally considered unstable. While Avid officially qualified Pro Tools 10 only up to macOS 10.8.5 (Mountain Lion) , some users attempt to force the installation using technical workarounds. Compatibility Realities
Official Support : Avid explicitly states that Pro Tools 10.3.10 is not qualified for macOS 10.9 or higher.
Installation Block : Running the standard installer on High Sierra typically triggers an error message: "An incompatible version of the OS was found" .
Native High Sierra Support : Official support for High Sierra only began with Pro Tools 12.8.3 . Common Installation Workarounds
If you must proceed, community-developed methods involve bypassing the installer's OS version check.
Extracting the Package : Use the Terminal application to manually expand the installer package using commands like pkgutil --expand . This allows you to access the underlying application files without running the restricted installer.
Manual Placement : After extraction, users often manually drag the Pro Tools application into the /Applications folder.
System Adjustments : You may need to grant permissions in System Preferences > Security & Privacy to allow software from "unknown sources" to run. Critical Known Issues
Even with a successful "forced" installation, Pro Tools 10 on High Sierra suffers from significant performance bugs:
Installing Pro Tools 10.3.10 macOS High Sierra (10.13) is officially unsupported
and generally not recommended. Pro Tools 10 was originally designed for older operating systems like Mac OS X 10.8.5 (Mountain Lion) Key Issues and Risks
Users who have attempted this installation often report a "hot mess" of technical problems: Graphical Glitches
: The most common issue is a broken user interface, such as blank pull-down menus or a missing plugin list. Installation Blocks
: The standard installer will typically throw an "incompatible OS" error. Uninstaller Failure : The Pro Tools 10.3.10 uninstaller is known not to work
on High Sierra, which makes it very difficult to clean up if the installation fails or causes system instability. Potential Workarounds
If you must try to get it running, some community members suggest these non-official methods: Protools 10 installation on High Sierra - Facebook
Installing Pro Tools 10.3.10 on macOS High Sierra (10.13) is not officially supported by Avid, as the software was only qualified up to OS X 10.8.5. While the installer typically blocks you with an "incompatible version" error, you can bypass this using a terminal-based workaround. Feature Highlight: "The Terminal Override"
The most critical "feature" or method to get Pro Tools 10 onto High Sierra involves manually expanding and modifying the installer package. Because the original installer cannot correctly read two-digit point releases (seeing 10.13 as 10.1), you must use the following manual steps:
Extract the Installer : Copy the Pro Tools.pkg to your desktop and use the Terminal command pkgutil --expand [path_to_pkg] [destination_folder] .
Modify the Distribution File : Open the "distribution" file within the extracted folder and change the OS check logic (e.g., changing "volume check leopard" or similar OS restrictions to "true").
Re-package : Use Terminal to flatten the modified folder back into a new .pkg file that High Sierra will allow you to run. Critical Post-Installation Adjustments
Even after a successful installation, you will likely encounter severe graphical glitches , such as blacked-out plugin menus.
The Resolution Fix : A known community workaround is to lower your screen resolution in System Preferences > Displays before launching Pro Tools.
The "CoreServices" Trick : Alternatively, some users temporarily spoof their system version by editing the SystemVersion.plist in /System/Library/CoreServices/ to read as "10.9" during the installation process, though this carries a high risk of system instability. Comparison Table: Compatibility vs. Reality Version Official Support (High Sierra) Known Issues on 10.13 Pro Tools 10.3.10 No (Max 10.8.5) Graphical bugs, menu glitches, installer errors Pro Tools 12.8.3 Yes Fully qualified for 10.13.2+; stable operation Pro Tools 2020.12 Yes Last officially supported version for High Sierra
For those needing a stable environment for older RTAS plugins, creating a dedicated partition with OS X 10.8.5 is highly recommended over forcing an installation on High Sierra. How do I install ProTools 10.3.10 on macOS High Sierra? install pro tools 103 10 on high sierra
Installing Pro Tools 10.3.10 on macOS 10.13 High Sierra is technically unsupported, as Pro Tools 10 was designed for much older systems like Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion . However, if you must run it to access old RTAS plugins or sessions, The Compatibility Reality Check
Official Avid Compatibility Charts state that Pro Tools 10 is not supported on High Sierra. While you can often force an installation, you will likely encounter:
Menu Lag/Graphics Glitches : Drop-down menus may appear blank unless you hover directly over an item.
Uninstaller Issues : The built-in uninstaller often fails on newer macOS versions.
Core Audio Conflicts : Legacy drivers may not communicate correctly with High Sierra’s updated audio architecture. Step-by-Step Installation Guide 1. Preparation and Cleanup
Back Up Your System : Before attempting an unsupported install, create a system image or use Time Machine.
Uninstall Previous Versions : Avid recommends a clean start. Use the Manual Pro Tools Installation Guide to ensure all old components are removed.
Install Hardware Drivers : Install the latest High Sierra-compatible drivers for your audio interface before the software. 2. Run the Installer Protools 10 installation on High Sierra - Facebook
Here’s a properly structured post suitable for a forum, blog, or social media (e.g., Reddit or Gearspace) regarding installing Pro Tools 10.3.10 on macOS High Sierra (10.13.x) .
Title: PSA / Guide: Installing Pro Tools 10.3.10 on macOS High Sierra (Workarounds & Limitations)
Body:
Just a heads-up for anyone still relying on Pro Tools 10 (the last 32-bit version) while trying to stay somewhat current on macOS. Officially, Pro Tools 10 is only supported up to OS X 10.8.5 (Mountain Lion). However, with a few tweaks, I got PT 10.3.10 running on High Sierra (10.13.6) .
Before you proceed, know that this is unsupported . Use a separate partition or a cloned backup.
Prerequisites Pro Tools 10
A valid iLok license for Pro Tools 10 (and 10+11 bundle if available).
The Pro Tools 10.3.10 installer (from your Avid Account).
High Sierra 10.13.6 (final version).
Installation Steps that worked for me:
Disable SIP (System Integrity Protection):
Reboot into Recovery Mode (Cmd+R), open Terminal, type csrutil disable , reboot. (Re-enable after install with csrutil enable if desired). Installation Overview If you must proceed despite the
Allow apps from anywhere:
Terminal: sudo spctl --master-disable
Run the installer:
It will warn about “this software is incompatible with this version of macOS.”
Workaround: Right-click the Pro_Tools_10_3_10_Installer.dmg > Show Package Contents. Navigate to Contents/Resources and launch Pro Tools Installer.mpkg directly. This bypasses the initial OS check.