Fix Save as Adobe PDF Opening in Reader Instead of Acrobat DC on Mac
Question details
The user needs newly created PDFs from the Print dialog to open in Adobe Acrobat DC rather than Acrobat Reader.
- Product
- macOS Print Dialog / Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- macOS Mojave
- Scenario
- Using the 'Save as Adobe PDF' feature from the Mac Print dialog to generate a PDF file.
- Observed behavior
- The resulting PDF automatically opens in Adobe Acrobat Reader instead of the preferred Adobe Acrobat DC.
Ensure that Adobe Acrobat DC is fully installed, activated, and updated on your Mac before adjusting system-wide file associations.
Change the Default PDF Application in Finder Settings
Modify macOS file associations to ensure all PDFs universally open in Acrobat DC by default instead of Reader.
The application that opens a newly created PDF is controlled by macOS file-association settings. If 'Save as Adobe PDF' triggers Reader, updating the global default for PDF files resolves the issue.
Find any existing PDF file on your Mac using the Finder application.
Right-click (or Control-click) the PDF file and select 'Get Info' from the context menu.
Expand the 'Open with:' section in the info window, click the dropdown menu, and choose 'Adobe Acrobat DC'.
Click the 'Change All...' button right below the dropdown, and confirm the system prompt to apply this setting to all PDF documents on your Mac.
Use WPS PDF for Seamless PDF Viewing and Editing
Avoid application conflicts by setting WPS PDF as your default reader. It provides a lightweight, comprehensive solution to view, edit, and manage your PDF files without the hassle of managing multiple PDF applications.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Download and install the free WPS Office suite from the official website to access WPS PDF.
- 2. Locate a PDF document: Right-click any PDF file on your Mac and select 'Get Info' from the context menu.
- 3. Set WPS PDF as Default: Under the 'Open with' section, select WPS Office, then click 'Change All...' to make it your default PDF viewer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does macOS default to Acrobat Reader instead of Acrobat DC?
macOS typically opens files using the application that was most recently installed or set as the default during a software update. If Reader was updated after Acrobat DC, it may have silently taken over the default file association.
Can I uninstall Acrobat Reader to force macOS to use Acrobat DC?
Yes. If you already have Acrobat DC installed, you can safely uninstall Acrobat Reader by dragging it from the Applications folder to the Trash. This forces macOS to use the remaining PDF applications, such as Acrobat DC or Preview.
Does 'Save as Adobe PDF' require Adobe Acrobat to be installed?
Yes, the 'Save as Adobe PDF' option in the Mac Print dialog is a specific workflow installed by Adobe Acrobat. If it is missing or not functioning, you may need to reinstall Acrobat DC.
