Here is how to use your older scanners with macOS Catalina
macOS Catalina as host and guest in Parallels Desktop
If you’ve just upgraded to macOS Catalina only to find your scanner no longer works because it relies on 32-bit drivers and – despite plenty of warning – the manufacturers have failed to ship 64-bit replacements, then help is at hand:
Hamrick Software VueScan can save you
The issue is that macOS Catalina requires that software be 64-bit and include additional code-signing, and lots of older scanners lack this.
Hamrick Software’s VueScan is the world’s most widely used scanning software with an excellent t reputation built across 20-years. VueScan 9.7 enables Mac OS Catalina users to continue using their existing scanners.
Ed Hamrick, President of Hamrick Software, said:
“One of the main things that Apple has done in Catalina is remove support for running 32-bit programs. Scanners don’t wear out and people like to use their scanners for a long time, sometimes for 10 or 15 years. However, most vendor-supplied scanner drivers are 32-bit programs on Mac OS and don’t work on Catalina. VueScan lets people to continue using their scanners on Catalina, saving the environment and saving money.”
Some notable scanners that work with VueScan 9.7 and don’t work with the vendor-supplied software on Catalina are most Fujitsu ScanSnap document scanners, most Canon DR-series document scanners, many older Epson flatbed and film scanners, many older Canon scanners and most PIE and Reflecta film scanners. Support for Plustek OpticFilm film scanners on Catalina is almost ready to release and will be available in the next month.
VueScan supports over 6000 scanners from 42 manufacturers in a combination of 3 operating systems – Windows, Mac OS X and Linux.
VueScan offers a range of advanced features for document, photo and film scanning. Most importantly, you can ‘Try before you buy’ as a full version of VueScan can be downloaded and tested for free.
VueScan is available in two editions, Standard Edition ($49.95 USD) and Professional Edition ($99.95).
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Very disapointed in Plustek, I just bought a 8200i SE 2 weeks ago, worked for 2 days, then after catalina update i can not use, I could go back to previous install, but just paid to upgrade all my office as that didnt work on catalina. Can not believe Catalina was launched what 7th October and still no drivers from Plustek to give to Silverfast….what a joke!
The same great disappointment for me with my Plustek’s OpticBook 3900. I have asked for support and no reply at all! There is’t any driver for Catalina system by Plustek. What a shame, not a joke…
No, VueScan does not help. I have a Xerox WorkCentre 6505. I contacted VueScan. Never worked with it.
Epson Perfection V600 doesn’t work. It’s just like Apple to change technology (USB C, Catalina) that makes it necessary to carry dongles or renders equipment obsolete
It works for me on my Fujitsu ScanSnap and saved me to buy a new scanner!
Just bought an Epson Perfection V370 scanner and their highest driver available is Mac OS 13. I’m bitter about having to spend $50 on a software patch I’ve never heard of that might not work.
My Epson V600 works In Catalina with VueScan. As does my Brother MFC-7840W.
I have an Epson Perfection V600 & Catalina now. How did you get it to work?
Do not buy Fujitsu products unless they change their policy and update their drivers to work on Catalina. Otherwise expect Fujitsu will abandon you in a few years.
As of 20 March 2020 Fujitsu has a Catalina download for multiple ScanSnap models – called ScanSnap Home. I just downloaded it for my iX500 — works great, and at no cost.
Thank you for sharing this.
Paying 40$ for something i‘ve already payed for? Thank you Canon… for nothing.
I tried demo version for HP; it scanned terrible with strange stripes and scanner made noises I have never heard before. I think it totally broke my scanner.
Does anyone know if VueScan works on an Epson Perfection 4180 Photo? I find it incredibly frustrating that NO manufacturer has produced anything compatible with Catalina.
I have upgraded to macOS Catalina and now my Epson Printer L385 does not work! Any thoughts on how I can get to use my existing printer??