Adobe to discontinue Animate software starting March 1, 2026

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• Adobe Animate will be discontinued starting March 1, 2026
• Enterprise support ends March 1, 2029; individual support ends March 1, 2027
• Adobe suggests After Effects and Express as alternatives for animation needs

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Adobe has announced that it will discontinue its animation software, Adobe Animate, starting March 1, 2026. The decision marks the end of a product that has been part of Adobe’s portfolio for over two decades, widely used for web animations, cartoons, and interactive content.

According to Adobe, Animate will no longer be available for purchase or download from its official website after the discontinuation date. However, the company has outlined different timelines for continued access and technical support for enterprise customers and individual users to allow a gradual transition.

Timeline and support details

From March 1, 2026, new purchases of Adobe Animate will stop. Existing users will still be able to use the software they have already installed. Adobe has confirmed that enterprise customers will receive technical support and access to the application until March 1, 2029.

For all other customers, including individual subscribers, support and access will continue until March 1, 2027. After these respective dates, users will lose access to Animate project files stored within Adobe’s ecosystem. Adobe has advised users to export their work before support ends to avoid data loss.

Access to existing installations

Adobe has clarified that users who have already downloaded Animate will be able to continue using the application during the support period. The software will remain accessible through the Creative Cloud desktop app under the “Show Older Apps” option. This applies to both enterprise and non-enterprise customers, within their respective timelines.

However, Adobe will not introduce new features or accept feature requests for Animate going forward. The focus, the company says, will remain on maintaining stability and providing limited technical assistance during the remaining support window.

Alternatives suggested by Adobe

Adobe has encouraged customers to explore other tools within its Creative Cloud ecosystem. The company points to Adobe After Effects for complex animation workflows and Adobe Express for simpler, template-based animations involving text, images, and short videos.

As animation technologies evolve and platforms change, Adobe says the discontinuation reflects a broader shift toward tools that align more closely with current creative and publishing needs.