How to Change Default PDF Viewer on Mac (2026)
Set Adobe Acrobat, Chrome, or any PDF reader as your default — step-by-step for all macOS versions.
This guide shows you exactly how to change your default PDF viewer on Mac using the Get Info method — the most reliable way that works across all macOS versions including Sonoma, Ventura, Monterey, and earlier.
Method: Change Default PDF Viewer Using Get Info
This is the official Apple method and works on all macOS versions. It permanently changes which app opens PDF files.
- Find any PDF file on your Mac. You can use Finder to navigate to a folder containing a PDF, or search for one using Spotlight (Cmd + Space, then type ".pdf").
- Right-click (or Control-click) on the PDF file to open the context menu.
- Select "Get Info" from the menu. You can also select the file and press Cmd + I.
- Expand the "Open with" section by clicking the triangle next to it (if it's collapsed).
- Click the dropdown menu showing the current default app (likely Preview) and select your preferred PDF viewer from the list — such as Adobe Acrobat Reader, PDF Expert, Skim, or your browser.
- Click "Change All..." — this is the crucial step! This button applies your choice to all PDF files, not just this one.
- Confirm the change by clicking "Continue" in the dialog that appears.
Done! From now on, double-clicking any PDF file will open it in your chosen application instead of Preview.
Popular PDF Viewers for Mac
Here are the most popular PDF viewers for Mac and what they're best for:
Preview (Built-in)
Apple's default viewer. Fast, lightweight, and handles basic annotations. Best for quick viewing and simple markup.
Free • Pre-installedAdobe Acrobat Reader
Industry standard. Perfect for viewing PDFs exactly as intended, filling forms, and adding signatures. Best compatibility with complex PDFs.
Free version availablePDF Expert
Mac-native app with advanced editing. Great for heavy PDF users who need to edit text, merge files, and annotate extensively.
Paid • One-time purchaseGoogle Chrome / Microsoft Edge
Built-in PDF viewing in browsers. Convenient if you frequently access PDFs from the web and want a unified experience.
FreeSkim
Open-source reader designed for academic papers. Features like note-taking and citation support make it ideal for researchers and students.
Free • Open SourceHow to Switch Back to Preview
Changed your mind? Here's how to restore Preview as your default PDF viewer:
- Right-click on any PDF file
- Select "Get Info" (or press Cmd + I)
- In the "Open with" section, select Preview from the dropdown
- Click "Change All..." and confirm
Preview will once again be your default PDF application.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
App not showing in the dropdown?
Click "Other..." at the bottom of the app list. Navigate to your Applications folder and select the PDF viewer you want. Make sure the app is properly installed in /Applications.
"Change All" button is grayed out?
Make sure you've selected a different app than the current default. The button only activates when you've made a change.
Changes not sticking after restart?
Try resetting Launch Services. Open Terminal and run: /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Frameworks/LaunchServices.framework/Support/lsregister -kill -r -domain local -domain system -domain user
PDFs still opening in Safari or browser?
This is a browser setting, not a system setting. In Safari: Safari → Settings → General → uncheck "Open safe files after downloading". In Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Site settings → Additional content settings → PDF documents → Select "Download PDFs".
Why Consider Browser-Based PDF Tools?
While desktop PDF viewers are great for reading, they often fall short when you need to edit, merge, compress, or convert PDFs. That's where browser-based tools shine.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I change my default PDF viewer on Mac?
Right-click any PDF file, select 'Get Info' (or press Cmd+I), expand 'Open with', choose your preferred app from the dropdown, then click 'Change All...' and confirm. This changes the default for all PDF files.
How do I change my default PDF viewer back to Preview?
Follow the same steps: Right-click a PDF → Get Info → Open with → select Preview → Change All. Preview will become your default PDF app again.
Why won't my Mac open PDFs in Adobe Acrobat?
You need to set Adobe Acrobat as the default using Get Info → Open with → Change All. Simply installing Adobe Acrobat doesn't automatically make it the default. macOS continues using Preview unless you explicitly change it.
Can I set different PDF viewers for different PDF files?
Yes! If you skip clicking 'Change All', the change only applies to that specific file. However, managing different defaults per file can become confusing. Most users prefer one default app for all PDFs.
How do I make Chrome my default PDF viewer on Mac?
In Get Info → Open with, click 'Other...', navigate to Applications, and select Google Chrome. Click 'Change All' to make Chrome open all PDF files. Note: Chrome must be set to open PDFs in browser (not download them) in its settings.
Does changing the default PDF viewer affect PDF editing?
Yes. Different apps have different capabilities. Preview offers basic annotation, Adobe Acrobat Reader adds form filling and signatures, while PDF Expert and Adobe Acrobat Pro offer full editing. Choose based on your needs.
Why do PDFs still open in Safari instead of my default app?
Safari has its own PDF handling. Go to Safari → Settings → General and uncheck 'Open safe files after downloading'. This makes Safari download PDFs instead of displaying them, allowing your default PDF app to handle them.
Is there a keyboard shortcut to change the default PDF app?
Not directly, but you can quickly access Get Info by selecting a PDF file and pressing Cmd+I. From there, change the 'Open with' setting and click 'Change All'.
How do I change the default PDF viewer on Mac?
Right-click any PDF file, select 'Get Info' (Cmd+I), expand 'Open with', choose your preferred app, then click 'Change All' and confirm.
Quick Steps
- 1Find any PDF file
- 2Right-click → Get Info
- 3Open with → Select app
- 4Click Change All
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