As a Mac user, you don't need expensive Adobe Acrobat to merge PDF files. macOS includes powerful built-in tools, and there are excellent free alternatives available. This guide covers three proven methods to combine PDF files on your Mac without spending a dime on Adobe subscriptions.
Method 1: Using Preview (Built-in macOS App)
Preview App - Native Solution
Every Mac comes with Preview pre-installed. It's surprisingly capable for basic PDF manipulation including merging:
Right-click your PDF file and select "Open With" → "Preview" or simply double-click if Preview is your default PDF viewer.
Press Cmd+Option+2 or go to View → Thumbnails to display all pages on the sidebar.
Open your second PDF in a separate Preview window. Drag its thumbnails from the sidebar into your first PDF's thumbnail area.
Drag thumbnails up or down to reorder pages. Drop them between existing pages to insert at specific positions.
Go to File → Save (or Cmd+S) to overwrite, or File → Export as PDF (or Cmd+Shift+S) for a new file.
Cmd while clicking thumbnails to select multiple non-consecutive pages. Use Shift+Click for page ranges.
Method 2: Online PDF Merger (Browser-Based)
Web-Based Tools - No Installation
Online PDF mergers work directly in Safari, Chrome, or any browser on your Mac:
Using GraphFlow PDF Merger (Recommended)
Navigate to our PDF Tools section and select "Merge PDF" tool.
Drag PDFs from your Finder or click to select. Most tools support batch upload of multiple files.
Drag files into your preferred sequence before merging. Some tools offer page-level rearrangement.
Click "Merge PDFs" and download your combined document. Processing typically takes seconds.
Other Online Options
- iLovePDF: Feature-rich but uploads files to their servers
- SmallPDF: Clean interface but limits free usage
- PDF24: Offers client-side processing option for privacy
Method 3: Free Mac Applications
Dedicated Apps - Advanced Features
For frequent PDF manipulation, these free Mac apps offer more control:
PDFsam Basic (PDF Split and Merge)
- Installation: Download from pdfsam.org (native Apple Silicon support)
- Features: Drag-and-drop interface, batch processing, page ranges
- Best For: Regular users needing splitting and merging
LibreOffice (Free Office Suite)
- Installation: Free download from libreoffice.org
- Process: Open PDFs in Draw component, copy/paste pages between documents
- Best For: Users needing occasional PDF editing along with merging
Sejda PDF Desktop
- Installation: Free version with daily limits
- Features: Cloud sync option, 7 tools including merge
- Best For: Users wanting a balance of online and desktop features
Method Comparison: Which to Choose?
| Method | Best For | Privacy | File Size Limit | Learning Curve |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preview (Built-in) | Quick merges, occasional use | Excellent (local only) | Limited by RAM | Easy |
| Online Tools | All users, any frequency | Varies (check privacy policy) | Usually 50-100MB | Very Easy |
| Free Apps | Frequent use, advanced needs | Excellent (local only) | Limited by disk space | Moderate |
Mac-Specific Tips & Troubleshooting
macOS Ventura & Sonoma Notes
- Quick Look Enhancement: Press Spacebar on PDFs to preview before opening
- Continuity Camera: Scan documents directly to PDF using iPhone
- iCloud Integration: Access PDFs across Mac, iPhone, and iPad seamlessly
Common Issues & Solutions
Solution: Use online tools with higher limits or split the PDF first using Preview (Tools → Split PDF).
Solution: Try a different method. Online tools often handle complex formatting better than Preview.
Solution: In Finder, hold Cmd while clicking files, then right-click and choose "Open With" → Preview.
Advanced: Automating PDF Merging on Mac
For power users, automate repetitive merging tasks:
Using Automator
- Open Automator (Applications folder)
- Create new "Quick Action"
- Add "Combine PDF Pages" action
- Save and access from Finder's right-click menu
Terminal Command (for developers)
/System/Library/Automator/Combine\ PDF\ Pages.action/Contents/Resources/join.py -o merged.pdf file1.pdf file2.pdf
Security Considerations for Mac Users
- Gatekeeper Protection: Only install apps from identified developers or App Store
- Document Privacy: For sensitive files, prefer local processing methods
- Permissions: Review what folders apps request access to in System Settings → Privacy & Security
- Cleanup: Regularly empty Downloads folder where merged PDFs often accumulate
Final Recommendation
For most Mac users, here's the ideal workflow:
- Try Preview first - It's already on your Mac and works for simple merges
- Use online tools for complex documents or when Preview struggles
- Consider free apps only if you merge PDFs weekly or need advanced features
Remember: You're using a Mac because it "just works." Your PDF merging solution should follow the same philosophy - simple, effective, and privacy-respecting.