Fix PDF Files Not Opening Automatically in Safari on Mac
Question details
The user is unable to get downloaded PDF files to open automatically in the Safari browser after upgrading to macOS Catalina.
- Product
- Safari on macOS
- Device & OS
- macOS Catalina
- Scenario
- Downloading PDF files from websites using the Safari web browser.
- Observed behavior
- PDF files are successfully downloaded to the Mac but no longer launch automatically, despite macOS and applications being fully up to date.
Ensure you have a reliable default PDF viewer installed on your Mac, and verify that the downloaded PDF files are complete and not corrupted.
Enable the Auto-Open Setting in Safari Preferences
macOS Safari has a built-in preference that controls whether trusted files, such as PDFs, open automatically upon download.
During a macOS update, Safari's security settings may revert to their default states. By default, the option to automatically open downloaded files might be unchecked to protect your Mac from malicious scripts.
Launch Safari on your Mac, click on the 'Safari' menu in the top-left corner of your screen, and select 'Preferences' (or 'Settings').
In the Preferences window, click on the 'General' tab located at the top left.
Look for the checkbox at the very bottom labeled 'Open "safe" files after downloading' and ensure it is checked.
Configure the Default PDF Viewer in Finder
If Safari downloads the PDF but your Mac doesn't know which application to use to open it, the file may remain closed. Setting a default application resolves this.
Read and Edit PDFs Seamlessly with WPS Office
Set WPS Office as your default PDF viewer on macOS to enjoy lightning-fast opening speeds, comprehensive editing tools, and perfect compatibility with all your downloaded PDF documents.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Download and install the free version of WPS Office for Mac from the official website.
- 2. Set as Default Viewer: Right-click any PDF file in Finder, choose 'Get Info', select WPS Office under 'Open with', and click 'Change All'.
- 3. Download and Open Automatically: Ensure Safari's 'Open safe files' setting is enabled. Your downloaded PDFs will now launch automatically in WPS Office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Safari stop opening PDFs automatically after updating to macOS Catalina?
Major macOS updates often reset browser security and privacy settings to their defaults. The setting 'Open "safe" files after downloading' in Safari may have been toggled off during the upgrade to enhance your Mac's protection against auto-executing malicious files.
Can I force Safari to view PDFs in the browser window instead of downloading them?
Yes, Safari has built-in PDF viewing capabilities. If PDFs are downloading instead of displaying, check if you have any third-party PDF extensions or internet plugins enabled in Safari's preferences that might be overriding the default browser behavior.
What should I do if my Mac displays an error that the PDF is damaged after Safari downloads it?
This usually indicates an incomplete download or an issue with the source file. Try clearing your Safari cache, downloading the file again, or testing the download link in a different web browser to rule out a Safari-specific glitch.
