How can I set Preview as my default PDF viewer on Mac?

Mac
1

Just updated my Mac and now Preview isn’t the default app for my PDFs anymore. I prefer using it and want to switch back. Can someone guide me on how to make Preview my default PDF viewer again?

2

Why even bother with Preview when there are so many better options out there? It crashes, it’s slow compared to third-party apps, and let’s not even talk about the features it lacks. But okay, if you really want to stick with it for whatever reason, here’s how you can set it as the default:

  1. Find any PDF file on your Mac. Right-click it and select “Get Info.”
  2. In the “Get Info” window, find the “Open with:” section. Click on the current default app and select “Preview” from the dropdown menu.
  3. Click the "Change All…” button and then confirm when it asks if you’re sure.

You’re back to using an outdated, basic PDF viewer. Good luck with that. If you ever wake up and notice the lag or lack of features, there’s always Adobe Acrobat or even Skim for more robust alternatives. You might want to give them a try if you get tired of Preview’s mediocrity.

3

@techchizkid, I hear ya about Preview’s limitations, but sometimes simplicity works just fine, you know? I’ve had no major issues with Preview, and it’s been reliable enough for my day-to-day stuff. Here’s another couple of ways you can lock in Preview as your default PDF viewer on a Mac, just to keep your options open:

  1. Using Finder preferences:

    • Open Finder and go to any PDF file.
    • You can simply right-click and select “Get Info,” as you’ve already mentioned. But another approach is: Select the PDF file and then press CMD+I to open the “Get Info” window.
    • From the “Get Info” window, go to the “Open with:” section. If Preview isn’t selected, choose Preview from the dropdown list.
    • Click the “Change All…” button and confirm your choice.

  2. Drag-and-drop:

    • You could also drag and drop a PDF onto the Preview icon in your Dock - that usually re-associates it with Preview automatically if it has been a recent change.

  3. Using Terminal (for those who are comfortable with a more hands-on approach):
    If you’re feeling a bit more technical or comfy using command lines:

    • Open Terminal from Applications > Utilities.
    • Copy and paste this command:
      defaults write com.apple.LaunchServices/com.apple.launchservices.secure LSHandlers -array-add '{"LSHandlerContentType"="com.adobe.pdf"; "LSHandlerRoleAll"="com.apple.Preview";}'
    • Press Enter and then refresh Finder or even restart for the changes to fully take effect.
    • Note: While this script should work fine, always be cautious and make sure you understand the commands you’re entering into Terminal.

And just for the sake of argument, @techchizkid, Preview did get a decent update recently. It’s hardly outdated, and sometimes you don’t need bloated software to just open and annotate a PDF. Plus, macOS’s integration with Preview is hard to beat. It’s quick and doesn’t hog system resources like some others, you know?

Anyway, if you find Preview lacking, perhaps PhD options like PDF Expert, Adobe Acrobat, or even Foxit Reader for Mac are worth checking out. They can be feature-packed but might come with their own set of quirks and sometimes hefty price tags. PDF Expert is a neat alternative – slick, fast, and it doesn’t crash as often.

For the DIY crowd, might as well take a moment to actually see if there are specific missing features you’re willing to pay for. Sometimes a good balance of function and integration is what you get with simpler tools like Preview. If ever you’re looking into the sea of alternatives, always consider what exactly you need - do you need advanced editing, or are you more into basic displaying and annotations? That can sway your decision considerably.

Anyway, give these methods a shot and see which one works best for you. Happy PDF-ing! why add more resource hunger applications when Preview does the basics just fine?

4

@techchizkid, @byteguru got most of the practical steps covered, but I’ll throw in my two cents as an Alternatve Thinker and maybe add a slightly different view on sticking with Preview.

First, for anyone in love with simplicity and integration, Preview is pretty unbeatable in terms of how seamless it is within macOS. One thing you might not have considered is how Preview excels with Apple’s ecosystem. The Handoff feature, for example, allows you to start reading a PDF on your Mac and pick it up exactly where you left off on an iPad or iPhone. If you’re heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem, that’s a big win!

But if you’re exploring other alternatives, make sure to avoid jumping onto resource-heavy options unless they’re mission-critical for you. Apps like Adobe Acrobat or PDF Expert are great, no doubt, but do you really need all that? It’s like buying a Ferrari to drive to the grocery store.

One more alternative that hasn’t been mentioned is XODO. It’s a solid app for handling PDFs and it’s free! Yes, it’s a third-party app, but if you’re open to trying something new, XODO strikes a good balance between being lightweight and feature-rich, including annotations and cloud syncing. I found its user interface clean and straightforward, which might provide a fresh perspective over Preview.

Lastly, for those who love to tinker, there’s a Terminal command to reset all default applications that might come in handy aside from those @techchizkid mentioned. Here’s something handy:

/usr/bin/srm -mf ~/.LSOverride; /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Frameworks/LaunchServices.framework/Support/lsregister -kill -seed -r -f /Applications/* ; killall Finder

This will essentially reset the launch services database, forcing macOS to rethink which applications to open certain file types with. It’s like hitting the reset button on your app defaults.

If you’re still on the fence, simply use both Preview and a more feature-rich app like Adobe Acrobat concurrently. That way, you get the best of both worlds without fully committing to one. Resume with Preview for everyday tasks, and switch to Acrobat or any other for heavyweight stuff.

In summary, while Preview might seem limited, it’s reliable and solid for general use, especially when considering integration within the Apple ecosystem. However, if you feel Preview’s limitations are too restrictive, try lightweight alternatives like XODO before diving into bulkier, more resource-heavy options. You might find the perfect middle ground!