Downloading & installing the Monotype App
Download the Monotype App (version 6.4.2 for macOS™ and Windows) installer directly to your machine using the following links:
Interested users can try out this app and send us any relevant feedback at [email protected].
The Monotype App solves the missing fonts frustration
Creatives spend roughly eight hours a week on nuisance tasks like tracking and installing the correct fonts—a full day’s worth of time spent not designing. In addition to losing time, these disruptions can derail your creative process, which is often already compromised by other demands on your time.
You can install fonts using either of the following two methods:
1. Sync fonts using the Monotype App
If you have the Monotype App installed on your system, you can sync and start working with your favorite fonts with a single click as you browse the Monotype Fonts inventory. Fonts are synced in the background and are made available in a matter of seconds, without the need for manual installation.
You can view, search, and unsync any of the installed fonts directly through the app. Since the app is linked to users’ accounts, it provides admins with added security and control over font installations throughout their organization.
The Monotype App is also configured to work with third-party fonts. Company admins can upload fonts purchased from other foundries to the Monotype Fonts platform for easier font management, improved security, and simplified license tracking, while creatives can use the same simple workflow to design with Monotype fonts and third-party fonts alike.
2. Download font files for manual installation
You may also choose to download font files for offline, manual installation.
Apple silicon native app
You will not need a separate installer for your machine with macOS™ powered by Apple ARM architecture. The link above will optimize the installer for you.
You can also click on the Download the Monotype App link in your profile menu, as shown below:
Remote deployment
Company admins can use the installation packages listed below to remotely deploy the Monotype App on users’ machines. MDM deployment tools like JAMF or Airwatch can also be used to deploy these files.
Windows
You can deploy the Monotype App with a per-machine installation or per-user installation of the MSI package.
Per-user installer
The MSI for per-user deployment adds Monotype App installer to individual user accounts.
Who it's for | Who it's not for |
This method is best for companies where employees work from their own machine or device and update Monotype App automatically. | Companies where many people use the same machine (like terminal servers), or where they need to control which version of app they use, should use the MSI for per-system installer. |
Per-machine installer
The MSI for single installation deployment installs the Monotype App for Windows machine-wide to Program Files. It is multi-client capable, meaning that it can be used by multiple users on one machine, keeping their profiles separate in %ROAMINGAPPDATA%.
Note: The Windows system level app has auto updates turned off.
Who it's for | Who it's not for |
This method is best suited to companies at which multiple employees use the same machine (e.g., terminal servers) and/or they need to control which version of the Monotype app they use. | Companies where people use their own machines and update the Monotype App automatically should use the MSI for per-user deployment. |
For detailed instructions, refer to our document on remote deployment and proxy settings.
macOS™
You can deploy the macOS™ app with per-machine installation using the PKG file. This installer is intelligent enough to work with both Intel and ARM-powered Apple machinery.
Note: Per-user install is not available for macOS™.
Important information.
The PKG provided by Monotype is tested and verified against Airwatch and JAMF.
The MSI provided by Monotype is tested using Airwatch.
You may use other software to distribute the Monotype App solely at your own risk.
We support reading proxy settings from an accompanying JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) file.
Detection & auto-activation of missing fonts
The Monotype App comes with built-in plugins that can automatically detect and activate missing fonts within your creative projects.
This functionality is available for the following creative applications, with support for more added regularly:
Adobe Photoshop CC: macOS™ and Windows, versions 19–23
Adobe InDesign CC: macOS™ and Windows, versions 21–23
Adobe InCopy CC: macOS™ and Windows, versions 19–23
Adobe Illustrator CC: macOS™ and Windows, versions 19–23
Adobe Acrobat: macOS™ and Windows, version Pro 2020
Sketch: macOS™
Keynote: macOS™, version 11.1
Pages: macOS™, version 11.1
Numbers: macOS™, version 11.1
Each of the above plugins can be disabled or re-enabled by navigating to Settings and clicking on Open next the Plugins heading to open the Auto Activation Settings pane, as shown below:
Note: After disabling/re-enabling a plugin for an application, please restart the selected application to put these changes into effect.
Syncing fonts with the Monotype App
Syncing fonts from a font family page
Once you have the Monotype App installed, you can sync an entire set of fonts from a family page by clicking on the Sync family button. When you click this button, fonts start syncing with your desktop in the background and are ready for use in a matter of seconds.
Clicking on the drop-down arrow on the Sync family button also provides you with more detailed Sync & download options.
This provides you with full control over what gets synced, and how.
Let’s take a look at the Sync & download options dialog in detail:
From the Sync to Monotype App tab, you can choose to sync individual font weights and styles. You can also choose which format(s) (CFF or TTF) your fonts are synced in. Once you've selected your preferences, you may again choose to sync the entire family by clicking the Sync family button at the bottom of the dialog.
Syncing fonts from the Browse section or search results page
When searching for fonts via the Browse section or the search results page, hovering over a font family row offers access to the following additional options:
Add to: Add the selected font style to a font list, web project, or digital ad.
Similar: Search for fonts similar to the one in focus.
Sync family: Sync the selected font via the Monotype App. Additionally, clicking on the drop-down arrow icon brings up the Download & sync options dialog as described above.
Downloading font files for manual installation
If you prefer downloading fonts files and manually installing them offline, you can click on the Download options tab in the Download & sync options dialog. Like the syncing workflow outlined above, this allows you to select individual font weights and styles for download, or to download the entire family all at once.
Here, again, you can choose to download your fonts in CFF and/or TTF formats.
Proxy support
The Monotype App provides proxy support at the application level if your organization uses proxy servers in its network environment to regulate internet access.
If you are a Company Admin:
You may choose to whitelist the following URLs so users in your company are not required to enter any proxy information in the Monotype App:
Monotype service: Monotype Fonts
Monotype sync service: https://syncservice.monotype.com
ADS data service: https://ads-assets.monotype.com
PubNub service: https://skyfonts.pubnub.com
Image-rendering service: https://render06.fontshop.com
Sentry services: Application Performance Monitoring & Error Tracking Software
If you are an end user:
The Monotype App supports the following proxy types, which can be configured within the app itself:
HTTP: With or without authentication
PAC file support: With or without authentication
Configuring proxy settings
Here are the steps to configure the above:
1. If you’re on the app’s login screen: Click on the gear icon in the top-right corner and then click on Settings in the menu, as shown below:
2. If you’re already logged in: Click on the gear icon in the top-right corner and then click on Settings from the menu, as shown below:
3. Once on the Settings pane, beside the Proxy settings heading, click on Edit.
4. This will bring you to the Proxy settings pane, where you can configure these settings as required.
5. Restart the Monotype App by clicking on Reset for proxy settings changes to effect.
Required system settings:
The system proxy should be on OS network settings, not PAC file or browser.
Proxy settings must be set by IP and not the hostname.
It is recommended that you uninstall any previous version(s) of the Monotype App before installing the latest version.
Basic troubleshooting
The Monotype App provides troubleshooting tools to help you detect and resolve common network access issues, including:
Connection to the Monotype Fonts web platform
External app showdown
Font syncing
Internet connectivity-related problems
To get to the Troubleshoot pane, go to Settings and click Open beside the Troubleshoot heading. Let’s take a look at the options and utilities on this screen.
Show logs: This automatically captures app and BS logs and creates a zipped log package that can be shared with support and development teams in case of an issue. Note that if the issue is with the installation itself, these logs still need to be collected manually.
Reset app: This clears all user data from the system, including proxy details and font data.
Unique ID: This is a unique identifier for the user’s machine, which can be shared with development teams to locate server logs.
Version: This is the currently installed application version.
Helper service: This refers to the status of the BS (masSync), which delivers fonts to the user’s machine when syncing.
Network access:
Internet connection: Checks and notifies in case of issues with internet connectivity
Enterprise web connection: Checks and notifies if Monotype’s web services are not accessible by the app
PubSub connection: Checks and notifies about connectivity between various services required for the app to function
Sync server connection: Checks for connectivity required to sync fonts between the Monotype Fonts web platform and the app
Proxy settings: The following messages may be shown under the Proxy settings section:
Auto proxy applied: Proxy is set at the system level and not within the application
Proxy configured needs authentication: Incorrect proxy credentials set in the app
No message is shown: Proxy settings are set correctly
If the Helper service (BS) is not working: The app shows a Fix button, which helps restore the app to its original state. To confirm, please check the system’s Activity Monitor to ensure:
That the masSync and masMonitor processes are running.
That only one instance each of the above processes is running.
Log collection
The Monotype App makes it easy for you to collect and share log files with us, helping our Support Team efficiently troubleshoot any issues that might arise.
To automatically create a zipped package of the log files:
1. On the Settings page, click on Open beside the Troubleshoot heading.
2. Once on the Troubleshoot pane, click on the Show logs button to generate logs, as shown below:
You may also collect and share log files manually from the following locations:
Mac OS
Installer log: /tmp/bitrock_installer*.log
BS log: /Users/{Username}/Library/Application Support/Monotype desktop app/BackgroundService/masLog.txt
App log: /Users/{Username}/Library/Application Support/Monotype desktop app/logs/app.log
Windows
Installer log: C:\Users\AppData\Local\Temp\bitrock_installer*.log (include all files that match the given pattern)
BS log: C:\Users\AppData\Local\Monotype desktop app\BackgroundService\logs\masLog.txt
App log: C:\Users\AppData\Roaming\Monotype desktop app\logs\app.log
Uninstalling the Monotype app
Run the Uninstaller application to uninstall the Monotype App from your system. The Uninstaller can be found at the following paths on Mac and Windows:
Mac: /Applications/Monotype desktop app/uninstall.app
Windows: C:\Program Files(x86)\Monotype desktop app\uninstall.exe
Please keep the following in mind for complete uninstallation of the Monotype App:
Wait for the uninstaller to finish running for the uninstallation to be completed.
Check for the presence of the following folders after uninstallation:
Mac: /Applications/Monotype desktop app
Windows: C:\Program Files(x86)\Monotype desktop app
If there are files remaining in these folders after uninstallation is complete, please restart your system and manually delete the remaining files.