How to Stop Adobe Acrobat from Being the Default PDF App on Mac
Question details
The user wants to change the default PDF viewer on macOS so that PDF files no longer open in Adobe Acrobat automatically.
- Product
- macOS / Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- The user installed Adobe Acrobat, which set itself as the default application for viewing PDF documents, and now wishes to use a different default application.
- Observed behavior
- Double-clicking a PDF file opens it in Adobe Acrobat instead of the user's preferred macOS PDF application.
Ensure you have the alternative PDF application you want to use, such as Apple Preview or WPS Office, already installed on your Mac before changing the default file associations.
Change Default PDF Application via Get Info
Use the macOS 'Get Info' window to assign a new default application for all PDF files, overriding the Adobe Acrobat setting.
This is the standard macOS method for changing file associations. Applying this change will affect all PDF files on your Mac, preventing them from automatically opening in Acrobat.
Open Finder and locate any PDF file stored on your Mac.
Control-click (or right-click) the PDF file and select 'Get Info' from the context menu.
In the Get Info window, locate and expand the 'Open with:' section. Click the dropdown menu and select your preferred PDF application, such as Preview or WPS Office.
Click the 'Change All...' button located just below the dropdown menu.
A confirmation prompt will appear asking if you are sure you want to change all similar documents. Click 'Continue' to confirm.
Use WPS Office as Your Fast and Lightweight PDF Viewer on Mac
WPS Office offers a comprehensive and lightweight PDF reader and editor. You can easily set it as your default PDF application on Mac to enjoy smooth reading, annotating, and format conversion without the heavy resource usage of Acrobat.
- 1. Download and Install: Download and install WPS Office for Mac from the official website.
- 2. Find a PDF: Right-click on any PDF document on your Mac and select 'Get Info'.
- 3. Set WPS as Default: Under the 'Open with:' section, select WPS Office, then click 'Change All...' and confirm.
- 4. Open and Edit: Double-click your PDF files to seamlessly read, annotate, and edit them in WPS Office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my PDFs keep reverting to opening in Adobe Acrobat?
This can happen if Adobe Acrobat updates and resets its file associations. To fix this, open Acrobat's Preferences, go to the General tab, uncheck 'Tell me if Adobe Acrobat is not my default PDF application', and repeat the macOS 'Get Info' steps to set your preferred app.
Can I change the default app for just one specific PDF file?
Yes. Right-click the specific PDF file, choose 'Get Info', select your desired application from the 'Open with:' dropdown menu, and simply close the window without clicking 'Change All...'.
How do I make Apple Preview my default PDF viewer again?
Right-click any PDF, select 'Get Info', choose 'Preview' from the 'Open with:' dropdown, and click 'Change All...'. This will restore Apple Preview as your default macOS PDF viewer.
Will changing the default PDF app alter the contents of my PDF files?
No, changing the default application only tells macOS which program to use when opening the file. The actual content, layout, and formatting of your PDF documents remain completely untouched.
