How to Make Adobe Acrobat the Default PDF Reader on Mac

So, you’re looking to ditch Preview and make Adobe Acrobat your go-to PDF handler on your Mac. Smart choice. While Preview has its place, Acrobat offers a far more robust and feature-rich experience. Let’s get this done. The simplest way to set Adobe Acrobat as the default PDF reader on your Mac is by right-clicking any PDF file, selecting “Get Info,” choosing Adobe Acrobat in the “Open with:” dropdown menu, and then clicking “Change All…”. This will associate all PDF files with Adobe Acrobat.

Understanding the Importance of a Default PDF Reader

Before diving into the ‘how,’ let’s quickly address the ‘why.’ You might be asking: Why bother changing the default? Apple’s Preview is adequate, sure, but Adobe Acrobat reigns supreme for serious PDF work. Think advanced editing capabilities, form filling, digital signatures, and enhanced security features. For professionals and power users, it’s simply indispensable. Setting it as your default streamlines your workflow, ensuring that every PDF you open launches directly into the application designed for professional-grade PDF manipulation.

Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Adobe Acrobat as Default

Here’s a detailed, step-by-step guide to wresting control of your PDF destiny:

Step 1: Locate a PDF File

The first step is ridiculously easy. Just find any PDF file on your Mac. It doesn’t matter which one – it’s just a vehicle for changing the global setting.

Step 2: Access the ‘Get Info’ Window

Right-click (or control-click) on the PDF file. A contextual menu will appear. From this menu, select “Get Info.” This opens a new window providing information about the file.

Step 3: Find the ‘Open With’ Section

In the “Get Info” window, scroll down until you find the section labeled “Open with:”. This section specifies the application currently associated with opening PDF files. It likely says “Preview.app (default).”

Step 4: Choose Adobe Acrobat

Click on the dropdown menu within the “Open with:” section. A list of applications installed on your Mac that can open PDF files will appear. Find “Adobe Acrobat” (or “Adobe Acrobat Reader,” depending on what you have installed) in the list and select it.

Step 5: ‘Change All…’ – The Key Move

This is the crucial step. After selecting Adobe Acrobat, click the “Change All…” button located below the dropdown menu. A confirmation prompt will appear, asking if you’re sure you want to change all similar documents to open with the chosen application.

Step 6: Confirm the Change

Click “Continue” in the confirmation prompt. This action tells your Mac to associate all PDF files with Adobe Acrobat moving forward.

Step 7: Verify the Change

To confirm that the change was successful, simply double-click any PDF file. It should now open automatically in Adobe Acrobat. If it still opens in Preview, restart your computer and try again. This usually forces the system to recognize the change.

Alternative Method: Using Adobe Acrobat’s Preferences

Some versions of Adobe Acrobat allow you to set it as the default directly from within the application itself.

Accessing Preferences

Open Adobe Acrobat. Go to “Adobe Acrobat” in the menu bar at the top of your screen, then select “Preferences.”

Navigate to General Settings

In the Preferences window, look for a section labeled “General.”

Check for ‘Make Acrobat My Default PDF Application’

Within the General settings, you might find an option labeled “Make Acrobat my default PDF application” or something similar. If you see this option, click the button to enable it. This will automatically associate PDF files with Adobe Acrobat.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes, things don’t go as smoothly as planned. Here are a few common problems and how to fix them:

• Preview Keeps Reasserting Itself: Occasionally, macOS can be stubborn. If Preview keeps opening PDFs despite following the steps above, try repairing disk permissions using Disk Utility. Also, ensure you have the latest version of Adobe Acrobat installed.

• “Change All…” Button is Grayed Out: This usually indicates that you don’t have the necessary permissions to modify the file associations. Make sure you’re logged in as an administrator. If you are, try repairing disk permissions.

• Acrobat Doesn’t Appear in the “Open With” List: This could mean that Acrobat isn’t properly registered with the system. Try reinstalling Adobe Acrobat.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions to further solidify your understanding:

FAQ 1: What if I have both Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Acrobat Reader installed? Which should I choose as the default?

Choose Adobe Acrobat if you have it. It’s the full version with all the editing features. Adobe Acrobat Reader is a free, limited version mainly for viewing PDFs.

FAQ 2: Will this change affect other file types?

No, this change only affects PDF files. Other file types will continue to open with their respective default applications.

FAQ 3: Can I revert to Preview as the default PDF reader if I change my mind?

Yes, simply follow the same steps outlined above, but this time select “Preview.app” in the “Open with:” dropdown menu and click “Change All…”.

FAQ 4: Does this work the same way on all versions of macOS?

The process is generally consistent across most versions of macOS, but the exact wording and layout of the “Get Info” window might vary slightly depending on your operating system version.

FAQ 5: I have multiple user accounts on my Mac. Will this change affect all users?

No, this change typically only affects the user account you’re currently logged into. Each user account needs to set its own default PDF reader.

FAQ 6: What if I want to open a specific PDF with Preview even after setting Acrobat as the default?

You can right-click on the specific PDF file, select “Open With,” and then choose “Preview.app.” This will open that particular PDF with Preview without changing the default setting.

FAQ 7: Is there a terminal command to change the default PDF reader?

Yes, advanced users can use the lsregister command in the Terminal, but it’s more complex and requires knowledge of the application bundle identifier. The “Get Info” method is generally recommended for most users.

FAQ 8: Why is Adobe Acrobat a better choice than Preview for many users?

Adobe Acrobat offers more comprehensive features, including advanced editing, form filling, digital signatures, OCR (Optical Character Recognition), and enhanced security features that Preview lacks.

FAQ 9: Does setting Adobe Acrobat as the default affect how PDFs open in web browsers?

No, web browsers typically have their own built-in PDF viewers or use browser plugins. You’ll need to configure the browser’s settings separately to use Adobe Acrobat for PDFs within the browser.

FAQ 10: Will updating Adobe Acrobat affect the default application setting?

Usually not. The association should persist through updates, but it’s always a good idea to double-check after a major update.

FAQ 11: What if I uninstall Adobe Acrobat? What happens to my PDFs?

If you uninstall Adobe Acrobat, the default will likely revert to Preview. Your PDF files will remain intact; they will simply open with a different application.

FAQ 12: Does having Adobe Creative Cloud installed affect this process?

No, having Adobe Creative Cloud installed doesn’t directly affect the process of setting the default PDF reader. However, Creative Cloud makes it easier to keep Adobe Acrobat updated, which is always a good practice.