Pro Tools 10 utilizes the old PACE iLok driver system, which conflicts with High Sierra. You need to replace the start-up authorization check.
Once Pro Tools 10.3.10 is installed on High Sierra, you are in uncharted territory. Maintain frequent Time Machine backups, and consider creating a bootable clone of your system drive before any major software changes.
Installing Pro Tools 10.3.10 on macOS High Sierra is but operationally impractical for professional use. It requires disabling security features, manual patching, and accepting instability. This configuration is best reserved for emergency session migration, not daily operation. Avid’s official support ended in 2015, and Apple’s deprecation of 32-bit frameworks makes future failures inevitable. For any long-term archival access, converting sessions to Pro Tools 12+ or exporting stems/OMF is the safer path.
Install it normally (the modern iLok installer works natively on High Sierra).
Here’s a properly structured post suitable for a forum, blog, or social media (e.g., Reddit or Gearspace) regarding installing on macOS High Sierra (10.13.x) . install pro tools 103 10 on high sierra
Because the Pro Tools 10 installer script checks your macOS version and fails when it detects High Sierra, you must remove this check.
This occurs if your Mac’s built-in output or external audio interface is mismatched with the session properties. Open the utility on your Mac (located in Applications > Utilities), select your output device, and manually change the format rate to 44,100 Hz or 48,000 Hz before launching Pro Tools. Crash on Startup (DAE Error 9518)
Because Apple updated its installer framework in High Sierra, the standard Pro Tools 10 .pkg file will refuse to run. You must extract and modify the installer packages manually. Extracting the Installation Files
The last version of Pro Tools with official support for macOS High Sierra is Pro Tools 2020.12 . Upgrading to a newer version will provide better stability and access to modern features, though it will require a new license. Pro Tools 10 utilizes the old PACE iLok
Aggregate device creation broken in High Sierra for PT10. Fix: Use only built-in input or single USB interface with 2 channels max. Multi-channel interfaces require Rogue Amoeba’s Loopback or Soundflower (now discontinued, use BlackHole).
pkgutil --expand /Volumes/Pro\ Tools\ Installer/Pro_Tools_10.3.10.pkg ~/Desktop/PT_Expanded cd ~/Desktop/PT_Expanded cat Payload | gunzip -dc | cpio -i sudo cp -R Pro\ Tools.app /Applications/ sudo cp -R Library/Audio/Plug-Ins /Library/Audio/
However, users often successfully install it using technical workarounds involving and Terminal commands to trick the installer. Prerequisites & Risk Warning
Pro Tools 10 relies on PACE Anti-Piracy iLok protection. The iLok software bundled with the Pro Tools 10 installer is outdated and will crash High Sierra. Go to the official . This configuration is best reserved for emergency session
Only 32-bit AAX and RTAS plug-ins will work. 64-bit AAX plug-ins are not supported in Pro Tools 10. Step 1: Download the Required Files You will need two main components:
: This process modifies system-level files ( SystemVersion.plist ). A mistake can prevent your Mac from booting.
ulimit -n 4096