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How to Change the Default Email Client for Adobe Acrobat PDF Attachments
Question details
The user needs to change the default email application used when clicking the 'Attach to Email' button in Adobe Acrobat, particularly to use web-based clients like Gmail.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Attempting to send a PDF document directly from Adobe Acrobat via email using a preferred webmail service or alternative desktop mail client.
- Observed behavior
- Acrobat automatically opens Apple Mail by default and does not provide an internal setting to switch the email handler to Gmail or Google Apps.
Ensure your preferred email application is fully installed on your Mac, or that your web browser is configured to handle 'mailto' links before adjusting system defaults.
Change the Default Email Application in macOS Preferences
Since Acrobat relies on the operating system's default email handler, you must change the default mail app in your Mac settings rather than inside Acrobat.
Older versions like Acrobat CS5.5 do not contain an internal menu to select a specific email client. Instead, they pass the attachment request directly to the operating system. By changing the system-level default, you dictate which app Acrobat opens.
Launch the default Apple Mail application from your Applications folder or Dock.
Click on 'Mail' in the top menu bar, then select 'Preferences' (or 'Settings' in newer macOS versions).
Under the 'General' tab, locate the dropdown menu labeled 'Default email reader'.
Click the dropdown and select your preferred desktop email application. If you want to use Gmail, you must select a browser or utility that handles webmail links.
Manually Attach the PDF via Webmail
If you cannot set your web browser as the default email handler for macOS, the most reliable method is to attach the PDF manually from within Gmail.
Easily Manage and Share PDFs with WPS Office
WPS Office provides a comprehensive, lightweight PDF editor that allows you to read, edit, and share your PDF documents seamlessly. Bypass complicated system settings by generating direct shareable links right from your document.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office on your Mac or PC.
- 2. Open PDF: Launch your PDF document using the built-in WPS PDF tool.
- 3. Share Document: Click the 'Share' button located on the top right of the toolbar.
- 4. Generate Link: Choose 'Create Link' to generate a shareable URL that you can simply paste into Gmail, bypassing email client limitations entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Acrobat always open Apple Mail on my Mac?
Acrobat routes its 'Attach to Email' command to the operating system's default email reader. On a Mac, Apple Mail is the default out of the box, so Acrobat automatically uses it unless changed in System Preferences.
Can I set Gmail in Chrome as the default email client for PDFs?
Yes, but it requires configuring Google Chrome to handle 'mailto' links and setting Chrome as the default email reader in Apple Mail's preferences. Without this, Acrobat cannot pass the attachment to a browser.
Where is the email client setting located inside Acrobat CS5.5?
Older versions like Acrobat CS5.5 do not have a dedicated internal setting to choose a specific email application. They strictly rely on your operating system's default mail handler settings.
Is there a way to share PDFs without relying on desktop email clients?
Yes, you can upload the PDF to a cloud storage service like WPS Cloud or Google Drive, generate a shareable link, and simply paste that link into your web-based Gmail or any messaging app.
