Fix Acrobat X Cannot Open PDFs by Double-Clicking on macOS Sierra
Question details
Users are unable to open PDF files using double-click or drag-to-dock actions in Acrobat X Pro after upgrading to macOS Sierra.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat X Pro
- Device & OS
- macOS Sierra
- Scenario
- Attempting to open PDF files seamlessly from the Finder or Dock after a recent macOS system upgrade.
- Observed behavior
- PDF files fail to open when double-clicked or dragged to the Dock icon; the application only opens files manually via the File > Open menu.
Verify your current macOS version in the Apple menu and ensure your critical PDF documents are backed up before uninstalling or modifying your default PDF software.
Upgrade to a Supported PDF Reader
Since Acrobat X is an older, unsupported release on macOS Sierra, upgrading to a currently supported PDF reader is the most effective and secure solution.
Adobe Acrobat X Pro reached its end of life and is fundamentally incompatible with the underlying architecture of macOS Sierra. Repeatedly reinstalling the legacy software will not fix broken Finder integrations like double-clicking or drag-and-drop.
Navigate to your Mac's Applications folder and move Adobe Acrobat X Pro to the Trash to prevent software conflicts.
Obtain a modern, macOS Sierra-compatible version of Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Acrobat Reader, or an alternative PDF application.
Install the new software, right-click any PDF file, select 'Get Info', change the 'Open with' application to your newly installed reader, and click 'Change All'.
Open PDF Files Manually via the File Menu
If you must continue using Acrobat X on macOS Sierra temporarily, you can bypass the broken Finder shortcut by opening files from within the application.
Run Acrobat X on a Supported macOS Release
If your workflow strictly requires the legacy Acrobat X Pro, you must run it on an older, officially supported version of macOS.
Seamlessly Open and Edit PDFs on macOS with WPS Office
Bypass legacy Acrobat compatibility issues on your Mac entirely. WPS Office provides a lightweight, modern, and fully supported PDF reading and editing experience on macOS, allowing you to open files instantly via double-click without frustrating errors.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install the free WPS Office application for Mac from the official website.
- 2. Access PDF properties: Locate any PDF file on your Mac, right-click on it, and select 'Get Info' from the context menu.
- 3. Change the default application: Scroll down to the 'Open with' section and choose WPS Office from the application dropdown list.
- 4. Apply to all PDFs: Click the 'Change All' button to ensure WPS Office automatically handles all your PDF files.
- 5. Open via double-click: Simply double-click your PDF file to launch it instantly in WPS Office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Acrobat X Pro stop working after upgrading to macOS Sierra?
Acrobat X Pro is legacy software that reached its end of life before macOS Sierra was released. It is not designed for the system architecture changes introduced in Sierra, which breaks system-level integrations like double-clicking and drag-and-drop.
Can I fix the double-click issue without upgrading my Acrobat software?
No, reinstalling or tweaking Acrobat X will not restore double-click functionality on macOS Sierra due to core incompatibility. To open files, you must manually use the File > Open menu, or switch to a compatible PDF reader.
How do I change my default PDF viewer on a Mac?
Right-click any PDF file and select 'Get Info'. In the information window, find the 'Open with' dropdown, select your preferred PDF reader (such as WPS Office), and click 'Change All' to apply this setting system-wide.
Is it safe to continue using Acrobat X Pro?
Because Acrobat X has reached the end of its support lifecycle, it no longer receives critical security updates from Adobe. Continuing to use it may pose security risks, so upgrading to a modern PDF editor is highly recommended.
