How can I make Preview the default app on my Mac?

Mac
1

After updating my Mac, all my PDF files started opening with Adobe Reader instead of Preview. It used to be so convenient using Preview, and I’d like it to be the default app again for PDFs. Can someone guide me on how to set Preview as the default on my Mac?

2

Alright, let’s get you back to using Preview as your default app for reading PDFs. This is a pretty common issue after updates or software installs that somehow prioritize other apps over Preview. Here’s a comprehensive step-by-step guide to make Preview your default PDF viewer again.

Step 1: Locate a PDF File

First, find any PDF file on your Mac. You can use Finder for this. Just navigate to any folder where you have a PDF file stored.

Step 2: Get File Info

Right-click on the PDF file (or Control-click if you’re using a trackpad or mouse without right-click). From the contextual menu that appears, select “Get Info.” Alternatively, you can select the PDF file and press Command + I to open the Get Info window.

Step 3: Change Default Application

In the Get Info window, find the “Open with:” section. It might be collapsed, so if you don’t see it immediately, click the small triangle next to “Open with:” to expand this section.

Step 4: Select Preview

You’ll see a dropdown menu. Click on it, and select “Preview” from the list of available applications. Sometimes, Preview might not be in the immediate list. In such cases, you can click on “Other…” to browse through the Applications folder and manually find Preview.

Step 5: Apply to All

Once you’ve selected Preview, there’s an option right below called “Change All…” This crucial step ensures that all PDF files, not just the one you currently have selected, will open with Preview. Click on “Change All…” and a confirmation dialog box will appear asking if you’re sure. Confirm this action.

Step 6: Confirmation

When you click “Continue” on the confirmation dialog box, you’re essentially telling your macOS to apply this setting system-wide for all PDF files.

Step 7: Verify

To make sure everything has been applied correctly, you should try opening a different PDF file to ensure it defaults to Preview. If all goes well, you shouldn’t see Adobe Reader coming up anymore.

Extras: Handling Adobe Reader

If the above process didn’t quite fix the problem, it’s worth checking how Adobe Reader might be interfering. Sometimes, Adobe Reader applications set themselves as the default program during updates or new installs. Let’s take an extra step to manage that:

  1. Open Adobe Reader to check its preferences.
  2. Navigate to Adobe Reader preferences and find the settings for default file types or similar.
  3. Ensure that it is not set to be the default application for PDFs. Adjust if necessary.

Terminal Method (Advanced)

If you’re comfortable with Terminal, you can also change default applications using a Terminal command. Here’s a quick rundown:

  1. Open Terminal: /Applications/Utilities/Terminal.app
  2. Run the following command (make sure to replace /path/to/your/PDF/file.pdf with the actual path to any PDF file):
    /usr/bin/defaults write com.apple.LaunchServices/com.apple.launchservices.secure LSHandlers -array-add '{LSHandlerContentType= "com.adobe.pdf"; LSHandlerRoleAll = "com.apple.Preview";}'
  3. Press Enter and restart your Mac for changes to take effect.

Additional Tips

  1. Reboot: Sometimes a quick restart after making these changes helps settle the new default setting.
  2. System Preferences: For more comprehensive control, you can also check System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy tab. Make sure Preview has necessary permissions enabled.

Updating software is supposed to bring new features, but it often accompanies unwanted changes like these. But following the above steps should restore Preview as your default PDF handler and bring back that convenience you were used to. If you’re still facing issues, don’t hesitate to provide specific details, and the community can jump in with more focused advice. Happy PDF viewing!

3

@byteguru’s guide is pretty thorough, but sometimes using Finder can be a bit clunky for changing app preferences across the board. A simpler method could be utilizing ‘System Preferences’, which might feel more straightforward, especially for those not as comfortable with individual file handling or Terminal commands.

System Preferences Adjustment

  1. Open System Preferences: Head to your Apple menu (top-left corner) and select ‘System Preferences.’
  2. Navigate to Security & Privacy: Once inside, click ‘Security & Privacy.’ Doesn’t sound related? It actually affects how different apps are allowed to open files!
  3. Check App Permissions: Here, look under the ‘Privacy’ tab. On the left, look for ‘Files and Folders’ or ‘Full Disk Access.’ Ensure Preview has the required permissions.
  4. Reset Permissions if Needed: If Adobe Reader is messing things up, try unchecking it here just as a test.

Quick Actions in Finder

Another quick tip is utilizing the new macOS enhancements. Sometimes, it’s easier to use Quick Actions for PDFs directly in Finder without worrying too much about app defaults. Just right-click (or Control-click) on your PDF file, go to ‘Quick Actions > Customize’ in the Finder, and you might find relevant Preview actions pre-configured.

Honestly, sometimes macOS updates throw defaults out of whack, leading to issues like these. Here’s an alternative trick if you’re finding this annoying:

Create Automator Workflow (Advanced but fun!)

For the more adventurous, here’s an Automator solution that could solve the problem in one go if you often switch between default applications.

  1. Open Automator: Located in your Applications folder.
  2. Create New Workflow: Choose a ‘Workflow’ type.
  3. Add Action: Drag actions like ‘Open Finder Items’ and set it to Preview.
  4. Save and Use: Save the workflow and you can run it whenever things revert. You can even schedule it using Calendar!

This method won’t directly change the default but provides a quick workaround that can reset things when needed. It’s kind of a fun project if you’re into automation, plus can be reused for other settings.

Lastly, I’d keep an eye on any new Adobe Reader updates. Sometimes, they hijack settings you just fixed, as byteguru noted. I’ve had similar trouble before where Adobe seemed overly aggressive in reclaiming file associations.

Try these methods to see what works best. Every user’s setup can have quirks, so mixing approaches might actually work wonders! Happy experimenting.

4

Well, you guys have gone into way too much detail. Honestly, the whole process of selecting Preview as the default app for PDFs doesn’t need several steps and advanced terminal commands. Just right-click the file, go to “Open With,” select “Preview,” and then click “Change All.” Done.

If Adobe keeps hijacking your defaults, maybe uninstalling it might be a better option; updates tend to restore it as the default anyway. Give it a go and see if that clears things up. Over-complicating with Automator workflows or terminal commands is just unnecessary.