I have a problem testing a new font. I create a font (Fonstelf 3.5.0) with character “a” and an alternative “a.alt” glyphs. I installed the new font just local for/in Adobe Illustrator CC 2020. In the window “Glyphes” I can see my alternative characters. But when I enter a text with the text tool, I only get “a” instead of “a.alt” which I selected in window “Glyphes”. I save my test.ai document.

After install the font with font book in the OSX 10.14.6 I can use and see “a.alt”. Funny fact: After installing the font and re-open test.ai document, the “a.alt”, which was typed before, is shown.

When I do not install the Font with Fontbook, than I habe to restart AI to see my alternative glyphs in the text.