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How to Change Default PDF Viewer Back to Preview on Mac
Question details
The user wants to set Apple Preview back as the default application for opening PDF files on their system.
- Product
- Apple Preview
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- Opening and viewing PDF files on a Mac computer.
- Observed behavior
- PDF files are automatically opening in Adobe Acrobat instead of the native Apple Preview application.
Ensure you have at least one PDF file readily accessible on your Mac desktop or in a Finder folder, as you will need it to modify the global file properties.
Change the Default PDF App via Get Info
The most direct way to revert your default PDF viewer to Preview is by modifying the file properties for all PDF documents on your Mac.
MacOS uses the 'Get Info' window to manage file associations. By changing the 'Open with' setting for a single PDF and applying it system-wide, you can force all future PDFs to open in Preview.
Open Finder and locate any PDF document on your Mac. Click on the file once to highlight it without opening it.
Right-click (or Control-click) the selected PDF file and choose 'Get Info' from the context menu. Alternatively, press Command + I on your keyboard.
In the Info window that appears, scroll down to find the 'Open with:' section. If it is collapsed, click the small arrow next to it to expand the menu.
Click the dropdown menu currently showing Adobe Acrobat (or another app) and select 'Preview.app' from the list of available applications.
Click the 'Change All...' button located just below the dropdown menu. A prompt will appear asking if you are sure; click 'Continue' to confirm.
Manage, View, and Edit PDFs with WPS Office
While Preview is great for basic viewing, WPS Office offers a comprehensive suite of PDF tools for editing, converting, and annotating documents without the heavy resource usage of other professional PDF editors.
- 1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office for Mac from the official website and install the application.
- 2. Open your PDF: Locate your PDF file in Finder, right-click it, and select 'Open With' > 'WPS Office'.
- 3. Utilize Advanced Tools: Use the intuitive WPS PDF toolkit to view, highlight text, edit content, or insert electronic signatures.
- 4. Set as Default (Optional): If you prefer WPS Office's advanced features, use the Mac 'Get Info' method to select WPS Office and click 'Change All' to set it as your primary PDF viewer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my default PDF viewer change to Adobe Acrobat automatically?
This usually happens after installing or updating Adobe Acrobat, as the software often prompts users to set itself as the default PDF application during the setup or update process.
Will changing the default viewer back to Preview delete my Adobe Acrobat app?
No, changing the default viewer only tells macOS which application to prioritize when opening PDFs. Adobe Acrobat will remain installed on your Mac and can still be used whenever you need its specific features.
The 'Change All' button is grayed out in the Get Info window. What should I do?
This can happen if you do not have the necessary administrative privileges or if the specific file is locked. Make sure you are logged into an administrator account, and uncheck the 'Locked' box in the General section at the top of the Get Info window.
Can I set a specific PDF file to open in Acrobat while keeping Preview as the default?
Yes. Keep Preview as your system default. When you need to use Acrobat for a specific file, right-click that PDF, hover over 'Open With', and select 'Adobe Acrobat' from the list. This opens the file in Acrobat just once without altering your system defaults.
