Activate Final Cut Pro 10.5.7 on macOS Catalina

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Level 1

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Activate Final Cut Pro 10.5.7 on macOS Catalina

I already Final Cut Pro X and recently had to rebuild my iMac 27 Late 2014. The latest OS it can handle is Catalina. Because of this, the latest version of Final Cut won't work on it, it requires Sequoia.

So... I downloaded the latest version of Final Cut (10.5.7) that would work with it and installed the trial. Now I need to activate it, but I can't simply choose "Buy Now" because that takes me to the App Store and tries to install the latest version (which of course won't work with this). How do I activate Final Cut once the trial is installed if I already own the license for it. There's no Key or code that I have to work with... Because I bought it directly from the App Store way back when.

Posted on Jan 5, 2026 6:10 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,799 points

Jan 5, 2026 6:23 AM in response to jasonbkr

If you’ve already purchased the application in the past ignore the old trial version you’re using. Go to the App Store and use the button in the lower left to log into your account. It should take you to your Purchased page. Find the application there and click the download button. Make sure you do not have any version of FCP in your Applications folder.

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Answer 2

Jan 5, 2026 6:24 AM in response to jasonbkr

I suppose you don’t have a copy of FCP in a backup.

In that case you are in trouble. Apple used to offer the last version compatible with the version of macOS, but now only offers the current version. You will have to find someone you trust and is willing to share it with you. Don’t download from any website, lest you get some version laced with malware.

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Answer 3

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,799 points

Jan 5, 2026 6:28 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

Thanks Luis. It’s unfortunate that Apple no longer offers previous versions of FCP for older systems.

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