Change your default PDF viewer through System Settings

The fastest way to change which app opens PDFs on your Mac is through System Settings. Open System Settings, go to General, then scroll down and click Default apps. Find PDF in the list, click it, and select the app you want to use instead. That change takes effect when ready for all PDFs you open going forward.

If you do not see PDF listed under Default apps, your Mac may not have recognized a PDF app yet. Open a PDF file with the app you want to use as default, then return to Default apps — PDF should now appear in the list.

Key Takeaways

  • System Settings > General > Default apps is where you set which app opens PDF files by default on your Mac.
  • You can also right-click a PDF file, select Open With, choose your preferred app, then click Change All to set it as default for all PDFs.
  • Built-in options include Preview (which comes with macOS), but you can use third-party apps like Adobe Acrobat Reader, PDFtk, or others if you have them installed.
  • Changing the default viewer does not affect PDFs already set to open with a specific app through Get Info on individual files.

Change default PDF viewer using right-click and Open With

Another method works directly from a PDF file. Right-click any PDF on your Mac, hover over Open With, and you will see a list of apps that can open PDFs. Select the app you want to use, then look for a button or option that says Change All — clicking it sets that app as the default for all PDF files.

This method is useful if you want to test an app before committing it as your default. You can right-click and choose Open With to open a single PDF in a different app without changing your system default.

What PDF apps are available on Mac

Preview comes built into macOS and handles PDFs without installing anything else. It opens quickly, lets you annotate and sign PDFs, and works for most everyday tasks. If you need more advanced features, Adobe Acrobat Reader is free and available from Adobe's website.

Other options include PDFtk Pro (paid, for editing and form-filling), Skim (free, designed for reading academic papers), and Coherence X (paid, for document management). The right choice depends on what you do with PDFs — if you mostly read them, Preview is usually enough. If you fill forms or edit PDFs regularly, Adobe Acrobat Reader or a paid tool may serve you better.

Set a default viewer for one file instead of all PDFs

If you want a specific PDF to always open in a particular app, but you do not want to change your system default, use Get Info. Right-click the PDF file, select Get Info, find the Open With section, choose your app from the dropdown, then click Change All. This changes only that file, not your system default.

This approach is helpful when you have one PDF that works better in a specific app — for example, a form that needs Adobe Acrobat Reader — while keeping your default viewer as something lighter like Preview for everyday reading.

Revert to the original default PDF viewer

If you want to go back to Preview or another app as your default, follow the same steps: System Settings > General > Default apps, find PDF, and select the app you want. There is no penalty for changing your default multiple times, and you can switch back at any point.

If you accidentally set an app as default and that app is no longer installed on your Mac, your system will revert to Preview automatically the next time you open a PDF.

Troubleshooting when the default does not change

If you change your default PDF viewer but PDFs still open in the old app, restart your Mac. Sometimes the change does not take effect until the system refreshes. After restarting, try opening a PDF to confirm the new default is working.

If the problem persists, check that the app you selected is actually installed and working. Open the app directly from Applications to make sure it launches without errors. If it does not, reinstall it or choose a different app as your default.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set different default PDF viewers for different folders?

No, macOS does not support folder-level defaults. Your system default applies to all PDFs everywhere. You can work around this by using Get Info on individual files to set them to open in a specific app, but this requires doing it file by file.

Will changing my default PDF viewer affect PDFs I open in web browsers?

Not always. Some browsers like Chrome have their own built-in PDF viewer and ignore your system default. Others like Safari respect your system default and will open PDFs in your chosen app. Check your browser settings if you want to change how it handles PDFs.

What if I want to open a PDF in a different app just one time?

Right-click the PDF, select Open With, and choose the app you want. This opens that file in the app you selected without changing your system default. The next PDF you open will use your default viewer again.

Is Preview good enough for most PDF tasks?

For reading, annotating, and signing PDFs, Preview handles most everyday needs. If you fill out forms regularly or need to edit PDF text, Adobe Acrobat Reader or a paid editor may work better. Test Preview first — you may not need anything else.