auto-activate not working Illustrator / Mac

Bugs
1

auto-activion of fonts is not working. The fontBase plugin is in the “plugin” folder within the application. The file name is FontBase-Mac-Illustrator-2025-M1.aip

When I choose the folder for the plugin location within fontBase, it creates an additional sub folder with the file within it(see attached). I have also tried removing this extra subfolder, leaving just the plugin within the plugin folder, which also did not work.

I’m running:
illustrator 29.6.1
fontbase 2.22.67
Mac OS 15.5 (24F74)
m4 pro

Screenshot 2025-08-04 at 2.46.32 PM
Screenshot 2025-08-04 at 2.46.32 PM1818×538 94 KB

2

Hello @JMG, thank you for your post :folded_hands:
And, first of all, sorry for the inconvenience :pensive_face:
Would you happen to remember when this started?

Thank you again,

3

It started when I began working on Monday. I’m not sure when font base updated, so maybe that has something to do with it? I originally had to manually place the plugin in the application folder when I first purchased fontBase, but now it is actually allowing me to select a location and add it, so I’m assuming there was an update.

Once I realized auto-activate was no longer working and saw that fontBase had likely updated, I updated AI to the most recent version hoping it would correct the problem, but it did not.

4

Thank you for the quick reply @JMG :folded_hands:
It’s been well over a week since the last FontBase update, so most likely the current issue is associated with the AI update.
After the AI update, have you already had the chance to remove the plugin completely and re-install it via FontBase’s Settings page?

Thank you again,

5

I was on vacation , so this week is likely the first time using the application since fontBase auto updated.

I manually updated AI after this issue with fontBase had already begun, hoping it would resolve the issue. So it is unikely that that is the issue.

I have removed and re-installed it multiple times. It has not resolved the situation.

Is there a way I can easily revert to the previous version of fontBase to test?

6

Thank you for the additional details @JMG :folded_hands:
Running a test would be great! A specific version can be downloaded from our Updates page: FontBase — Update History
Just uninstall your current FontBase version, downloaded the desired one from the left column, install and you should be all set. Your FontBase data is not removed when uninstalling, but just to be extra-safe you can make a spare copy. The location of the data is ~/Library/Application Support/FontBase or ~/Application Support/FontBase on Mac.

Thank you again,

7

Hi yuriy
I encountered the same problem in Windows 11 as I commented in another post (from progboxstudio in bugs), latest Fontbase Version. Illustrator 2024 works with fontbase plug-in in the plug-ins folder, but 2025 not. From version 2024 Illustrator seems to have changed the font display behavior … so maybe also the handling of it? And it could be a Fontbase plug-in issue?
To be honest I don’t want to deinstall and install older Version of Fontbase and also dont’t think this will help.
Regards, Matt

8

Hello Matt, thank you for your posts :folded_hands:
Installing older FontBase versions would likely not change anything as the plugins have not been changed recently from what I know.
Regarding CC apps - yes, unfortunately (for font activation software), Adobe changes internal font detection and use in some updates, in addition to PS, IL and ID all having different logic in this regard altogether :pensive_face:

Thank you again,

9

Hi Yuriy
So to conclude: you can not affirm the auto activation to work, especially for Illustrator it does NOT work?

regards, Matt

10

Hello Matt, thank you for the quick reply :folded_hands:
In short - just confirmed, indeed the auto-activation doesn’t seem to work in Illustrator 2025 (tested on v.29.6.1) :pensive_face:
We’ll do what we can to fix this as soon as possible :folded_hands:

Thank you again,